Your young daughter, lottie, had autism. You knew better you had her that there was an almost guaranteed chance she would be, as you are too.

Lottie was like you, in many ways, her self soothing with fidgets, her sensory issues and fussy eating. But she was more dependent than you. She was almost completely nonverbal, and really struggled with her potty training— even now at almost five— meaning she was in nappies.

She was not yet in school despite her age, only as the school you had applied her too, that would accommodate her, was taking a little longer to get in than expected. But you knew she would never could not cope in a mainstream.

Simon, your husband of six years, was the best man ever to yo both. He helped out as much as he humanly could, when he wasn’t at work— as a police officer . Lottie was very unsure of showing affection, but the small times she did warmed his heart.

Truth be told though, you both coped really well. Lottie was happy and safe, and your love never faded.

Today, you both were taking Lottie to the zoo, as her social interest was animals. The bag was packed— nappies, safe food snacks, toys, wipes and much more she would need just for the day.