Join Anna Kennedy as she speaks with Rachel Moltus, a 39-year-old physiotherapist and mother of three, including 10-year-old James who was recently diagnosed with autism. Rachel shares her two-year journey to get James diagnosed, revealing how she intuitively knew something was different but struggled to navigate the healthcare system despite being a healthcare professional herself. The conversation explores the challenges of recognizing autism in children, from delayed milestones to school meltdowns, and how Rachel learned to adapt family routines to meet James’s needs. This episode offers valuable insights for parents going through similar experiences, including practical advice about the EHCP process and finding the right educational setting. Rachel discusses how moving James to a small village school with a SEND specialist head teacher transformed his experience, while also addressing the upcoming challenge of finding suitable secondary education. Anna also highlights important resources including the IPSEA website, her charity’s support services, and updates on the upcoming Autism Hero Awards and Autism’s Got Talent events.