Imagine if the label in your shirt feels like sandpaper, whisper-quiet light feels like a spotlight, or the smell of the cafeteria makes you nauseous. For many children with autism, this is daily reality. What feels 'normal' to us can be overwhelming for them.

ASD is a spectrum - from children who are non-verbal to highly gifted children who excel in all areas except socially.

Autism is often recognized late - sometimes only at school, when social and communication challenges become more apparent. But the signs are often there much earlier. As a therapist, I regularly see parents who say: "I knew something was different, but I couldn't put my finger on it." The good news? The earlier you recognize these signs, the sooner you can support your child in a way that fits them.

This is the world of children with ASD, a world where everything works just a little differently, where sounds, light, and emotions have a different meaning than for most people.