I wasn’t sure this picture would ever happen.
Every year, we go to Bournemouth, and every year, Josh, our autistic son, has refused to go anywhere near the beach.
We had reluctantly accepted it.
And made plans around it.
One of us (or the grandparents) would take our youngest son Lucas to the beach, whilst Josh was looked after in a park or arcade nearby.
All our pictures of Lucas at Bournemouth beach, going back to when he was a baby – don’t include Josh.
Until this week!!! 👏♥️
It has been a long work in progress. Including bribery (with favourite snacks of blue crisps or lollipops) as we have edged closer and closer to Bournemouth and other beaches we have visited over the last couple of years. We made it our mission to never give up and help him overcome his fear.
First, we made it to a park with a view of the beach.
Then a bench near the seafront.
Followed by a walk along the promenade.
Then this year – we made it past the invisible barrier of the Bournemouth Eye (Josh would get upset if we tried to take him past it).
Not only did Josh play in the sand with buckets and spades next to his brother, but he also put his feet in the sea and asked to go on the “slide” (Helter Skelter using his speech device, Proloqou2Go) – the one at the end of the pier that overlooked the sea!! 😲🌊
So proud of my sweet autistic son.
Slowly but surely we have got there
Never give up. 💫
#NonSpeaking #Autism #ChildhoodApraxiaOfSpeech #KeepGoing #DontGiveUp
©️ Tap Type Talk – April 2025
