​In 1998, while studying autism and working part-time for the Council's Children’s Services Department, I was asked to deliver autism awareness training to foster carers. At that time, I was not just a student of autism theory—I was also a parent to a toddler with autism and learning disabilities. This unique combination of lived experience and academic understanding allowed me to design and deliver training that truly resonated with foster carers.
 

Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how understanding the unique challenges of supporting children with autism has helped foster carers build stronger, more empathetic relationships with the children in their care. What started as basic autism awareness has grown into a comprehensive training session that incorporates real-world examples, practical strategies, and tools that foster carers can implement immediately. Feedback from these carers has been incredible, particularly around how the training has helped them reduce stress and create a more understanding, supportive environment for the children.
 

Some of the children the foster carers worked with were much like my own son—spirited little adventurers with their own unique quirks. I remember laughing as I listened to stories of children running naked for miles, scaling walls like future Olympic gymnasts, or creating masterpieces in places I’d never expect—like painting the walls with anything but paint! These weren’t just ‘challenging behaviours’—they were signs of creativity, energy, and a unique way of seeing the world. I knew then that it was crucial to help foster carers embrace and support these individual traits, as this understanding would make all the difference in their ability to connect with the children in their care.
 

I’m proud to say that I continue to deliver this training every year, bringing my passion, knowledge, and experience to those who work with vulnerable children.