Beth and Sam’s story of navigating diagnosis, school and parenthood together, told by Marta Martin Perteguer.
The early stages of exploring a potential autism diagnosis can feel like uncharted waters. For many parents, it’s a time marked by questions, doubts, and moments of deep isolation. Am I doing enough? Is it just my child? Where do I even begin with EHCPs and school options? The uncertainty is often compounded by the pressure to make the right choices quickly, with few places to turn for clarity or companionship.
For Beth and Sam, two parents who met through BeyondAutism’s Early Years service, those overwhelming first steps were made lighter not just by expert guidance—but by each other. What began as a chance meeting during a parent discussion group soon became a lifeline of mutual support. These regular sessions, facilitated by staff and centred on real, lived experiences, provide a space where parents can share openly—about challenges at home, navigating the EHCP process, or simply the emotional weight of not being understood.
Beth had already walked a difficult path trying to secure the right school placement for her eldest son, Henry. She quickly recognised a familiar look of fatigue and determination in Sam, whose son Lennie was just starting his journey. “When I’d try to speak to friends about it, they don’t understand all the stuff we have to go through when it comes to school” Beth explained. “It’s hard to make anyone understand just how stressful the school situation is and how stressful the EHCP situation is because you really do have to fight for everything.”
That shared understanding became the foundation of their friendship. Beth reached out, and what followed were months of texts, conversations, and check-ins—offering encouragement, empathy, and practical tips.
“I just feel so comfortable knowing that she’s either been through it or is going through it so I feel like I can approach her,” Sam said. “It’s been a relief having people around me that I can ask questions to and that can support and point me in the right direction”.
With the collective support of Beth and the Early Years team, Sam was able to secure a school placement for Lennie. That moment—one of relief, validation, and hard-earned success—wasn’t just a personal win. It underscored something powerful: the importance of parent networks, and how much can change when families feel less alone.
Both parents are now finding ways to give back. Beth has enrolled in SEND law classes, determined to better understand the system and support others. Sam, now that Lennie is settled, is looking at how she might volunteer her time to help new families on similar paths.
Their story is a reminder that while professional expertise is vital, peer support offers something equally valuable: real-world knowledge, shared language, and the comfort of not having to explain yourself.
Services like Early Years are about more than education—they’re about supporting and celebrating the self-empowerment of parents to become confident advocates, equipped with tools that make a lasting impact at home and in the classroom. By learning alongside their children, parents build not only strategies, but also a community. One that walks with them—not ahead or behind—through every twist and turn. When parents are supported, children thrive. And when families come together, challenges no longer feel quite so isolating.