Morecambe mum makes YouTube hit to raise awareness of son’s autism

Sarah Alderson with her son Elliot Swindell, who has set up a chat group for parents with autistic children.

Every year Sarah Alderson creates something new to promote autism awareness, acceptance and early intervention.

This year the mum-of-three has made the video ‘Autism Awareness 2015’ which tells Elliot Swindell’s story.

Three years ago Elliot, aged six-years-old, was diagnosed with severe autism and at the time Sarah did not know what to do.

Sarah, of Pennine View, Morecambe, admits the past six years have been the hardest years of her life.

She said: “Raising a child with autism is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

“There is a lot of ignorance out there as its an invisible disability.

“I just want to change how the world views this disability, help people to be more aware of the signs and continue to offer my support to families.”

Sarah, a nursery practitioner, has been running a world wide autism awareness page via Facebook for the past two years called Autism storms and rainbows.

After her experience Sarah also set up a local online support group called Parents and Children with Disabilities Support in Morecambe and Lancaster.

Sarah’s video will feature on various schools websites including Lancaster and Morecambe College and Ryelands Primary School, who will show the video in assembly.