OLIVER is fine in supermarkets as long as the aisles are not too busy, but the challenge comes when he gets to the tills.

The beeping, whirring, flashing lights and chatter cause him to react with anxiety and the challenging self-regulatory behaviour well known to anyone with an autistic child.

This is Autism Awareness Week where the public are challenged to learn a little more about a condition most of us experience only from afar or via friends and the media. Autism is a lifelong, developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they experience the world around them.

Oliver’s parents, Bonnie and Ieuan Burrows of Llanfoist, are all too familiar with the situations that can cause distress to their five-year-old.

Oliver doesn’t like eye-contact; crowds, noise and hustle and bustle are distressing for him and as Bonnie explains, he has no sense of danger.

‘He would run in front of a car and - like many with his condition, he is drawn to water so we have to be ever-vigilant.’

Oliver is the fourth of Ieuan and Bonnie’s five children who are all supportive of their brother but recognise that everyday outings to fetes or fairgrounds are tinged with anxiety because of the certainty of stressful situations.

‘They understand Oliver’s problem; autism is a life long neurological disorder and in his case it is very severe, meaning he also has learning difficulties and is non-verbal.

Fortunately, he attends the specialised unit at Overmonnow School in Monmouth, they are very, very good there and he loves it’, said Bonnie.

Each year, in the week leading up to World Autism Awareness Day, which in 2018 falls on Monday, April 2, the National Autistic Society encourages the public to take part in World Autism Awareness Week, where schools, workplaces and individuals, their families and friends all over the UK take part in activities to raise money and awareness.

A Society spokesman stated, ‘We’ve come a long way in raising autism awareness but there’s still more to be done until everyone understands autism. We need the public’s support to raise vital funds to continue running campaigns, training and sharing knowledge with professionals working with autistic people.’

In Monmouthshire, the MAGIC Group is made up of local parents and carers who are bringing up children and young adults with disabilities and additional needs in Monmouthshire and South East Wales. The group was set up five years ago by four parent carers and now has over 620 members.

They are an independent parent-led network running social groups, activities and events throughout the year and providing a support network for parents, carers and siblings.

MAGIC provides peer-to-peer support through it’s Facebook page and it’s regular county wide support meetings and activities.

They can be contacted via Facebook at Magic Parent and Carer Network or on Twitter @MagicParents.