Why a Worthing one-year-old loved Countdown so much

Now, age five, he is highly advanced at maths and has lessons with children more than two years older than him.

That is because Joseph has autism, a brain development disorder affecting social interaction and communication which can also result in children being highly gifted in certain fields.

Sponsored walk

To raise awareness of the disorder, Joseph's mum Clare is organising a sponsored walk with all proceeds going to The National Autistic Society.

Clare, 32, said: "Most kids Joseph's age wanted to watch cartoons, but he never really did. He saw Countdown one day at his gran's house, and after that he was obsessed with it.

"Every day at 4pm, when it started, he would bring us the remote so we would turn it on for him, but since Carol Vorderman left he doesn't ever watch it anymore."

Routine and order

Clare, of Harrow Road, Worthing, said the reason he no longer likes it is that for many autistic children, including Joseph, routine and order is very important.

Most autistic children do not like change, so Joseph has daily timetable. He always knows things like what time he will have a snack and what time he will go to school, as he likes to know the plan for his day.

Until eight months ago, Joseph did not speak but made sounds only his parents could understand. He still struggles to eat normally, and Clare, 32, has to dress him.

Complex nature

It is all part of the complex nature of autism, which can manifest itself differently in any child that has it.

Clare said: "Joseph is really clever, but sometimes he just can't get it out. It's like it all needs unlocking or something.

"Luckily, unlike some other children with autism, Joseph is very loving and is always hugging us. In fact, he doesn't know when to stop and will hug or kiss anyone."

Joseph was diagnosed with autism when he was two, after Clare realised he was not developing at the same rate as other children.

She took him to the doctors, and was told he had autism.

Devastated

She said: "I had no idea he had it, so at first I was devastated because I thought that was pretty much it for him.

"People don't always understand autism, and it did used to bother me if Joseph got stressed when we were out and people stared at him.

"Now most of my friends have autistic children, so they understand. I have pulled myself away from the life I had before."

Joseph goes to Lyndhurst First School, where he is in a special class of just seven autistic children. Clare said she had to battle to get him a place, but said the support and teaching he has received has been "fantastic".

Secondary school provision

She said she thinks all schools should have classes for autistic children, and hopes by the time Joseph is old enough to go to secondary school, at least one will have a provision for autistic children.

Clare's sponsored walk is from Worthing Pier to Sea Lane Caf in Goring on Sunday, June 7, at 1pm.

To sign up to take part, call Clare on 07876 248489. To sponsor Clare, visit www.justgiving.co.uk/claregreaves">www.justgiving.co.uk/claregreaves

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