Daniel turned 4 in October 2018. He was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was 3 years old.

He is a happy and clever boy, and we believe he has huge potential to learn. However, he has speech delays and difficulties socializing.

The early years are a critical time in the development of a child, and we want to ensure that we do everything we can to give him the best support now.

The funds raised as part of this campaign will help finance speech therapy and ABA sessions.

Daniel started ABA therapy when he was 3 years old. At that time, he was doing 20 to 30 hours per week. Since turning 4, he began a full-time ABA program delivered by YAP (http://www.ukyap.org).

ABA includes work on all the theoretical knowledge Daniel needs to succeed in school, as well as practical, day-to-day exercises and experiences, such as going to the shop or the park and behaving appropriately in such circumstances.

We have seen tremendous progress since we started the intensive program, allowing us to establish basic communication and take him to routine activities without facing behavioral issues. This has greatly helped Daniel and our family. We are really hopeful that this will enable Daniel to start school in the next 12 to 18 months and catch up with his peers in the long term.

7.5% of all donations to Tree of Hope in relation to this appeal will be allocated to the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope to cover our core operating costs.

If we raise insufficient funds, or surplus funds, these will be used, if appropriate, to support our child’s needs in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives. If, in those circumstances, we are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of our child in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives, any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to support the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to call the family support team at 01892 535525.