My daughter was diagnosed with autism 3 years ago and has struggled hugely with speech and communication. We have tried all sorts of speech therapy with no avail, she loves to sing and repeat phrases from her favourite tv programmes but has always been in her own little bubble with no way in for us, her family who love her and so want to communicate with her.

Recently we have been introduced to ABA therapy by a company called Autism Fledglings so we though we would give it a go! Ava had her assessment earlier this year and the response was phenomenal! She spoke more in the session than I have ever known her to before. So of course we wanted to use this therapy as intensively as we possibly can.........however as with most things that are life changing as this most definitely is......it is extortionately expensive!

I have reduced my hours at work to try to deliver the therapy myself and the progress is amazing, she is storming through the targets and seems to be loving her new abilities! Even though I am delivering it myself to avoid huge costs we still need to use the expertise of the consultants involved which is financially crippling.

Hence my crowdfunding page.....I would like to raise as much as possible to help us continue with this therapy that is changing my daughters life one session at a time! So my husband Jamie Charlton is going to be attempting the famous Pen Y Fan walk 10 times in 24 hours!

I realise everyone has their own problems/issues to deal with and overcome in life but if you could spare anything at all to help us with Ava’s therapy you would be personally responsible for improving her quality of life as well as raising awareness of autism.