‘My autistic sons have taught me so much’

Nine years ago I began sharing stories from our lives online, on a weekly blog. Then I started Facebook, external, Instagram, external, and TikTok, external accounts.

It was initially a way to show friends and family what our life was really like. Jude and Tommy struggled with social occasions, so we stopped going.

I could never find the words to explain, and I wanted to show how proud I was of them, so I started writing instead.

I didn’t realise how much our stories would resonate with others, or how much it would help me.

I learned so much more about autism, connected with people all over the world and discovered a passion for helping other families.

I’ve been lucky that I’ve been able to make a living through social media. I had to give up my previous job to be there for the boys.

I started a clothing line last year, with positive messaging around autism, disabilities and neurodivergence. I love getting messages from people saying they have bumped into someone wearing one of the hoodies, and it started a conversation.

I opened a shop in Burnham-on-Crouch where we stock the clothes and wrap and pack and send out the orders.

It’s somewhere for people in the community to visit, we have a sensory room in the shop and we get lots of parents coming in who want to have a chat.

Everyone working in the shop is a parent, carer or is autistic, so they can share their experiences with customers.