Mum's pride as autistic son who didn't speak until he was seven now looking forward to Christmas

The proud mum of an autistic boy who didn't speak until he was seven and a half has spoken of her joy of her son celebrating Christmas for the first time ever.

Claire Daly's son says her son Jack (7) who was non verbal until February never showed an interest in season celebrations before but this year is in full on Yuletide mode.

Jack's joy for festivities began when he told his mum that he wanted to dress up for Halloween this year, a major milestone for the youngster with his enthusiasm to mark special holidays not dwindling.

Speaking on the family's momentous occasion, the proud mum said:

“Jack is so excited for Christmas this year, he is looking up Christmas songs on YouTube and reading his Christmas books. He even likes to sing Jingle bells on the school bus! He told us he wants to leave out cookies, milk, water and carrots for Santa and the reindeer! He is also very excited to write his Santa letter with his brother Luke this year. Our local hardware has Christmas trees on display, he loves looking at the trees decorated and can't wait to get our tree up.

“He is really excited to see what his little cousins Finn, Caolán and Croía are putting on their Santa lists too. At eight years of age he has never shown so much interest and excitement for Christmas. We are all so happy for him.”

Claire said she was “astounded” when little Jack voiced his desire to celebrate Halloween for the first time ever and added that it was “a miracle” when her son started to communicate.

“For a child with a diagnosis of autism and a child who never had any interest in Halloween, this year was very special when he asked to dress up and go trick or treating,” she said.

“I used to think that Jack's days rolled into days, he wasn't aware of the seasons and he never got excited like his older brother did but this year he is full on.”

“Jack only started talking last year and was fully non verbal until he was seven and a half. In February 2020 he started saying a few words, things like daddy and mammy and then Covid hit and schools closed, supports, finished, our world stopped turning really.

“I was saying this child has started to talk, I have waited forever for this and now everything is stopping on us but we put in the work despite having no supports and now he is singing songs and having full conversations. Maybe he did enjoy these things but could never verbalise it.”

This article first appeared in Christmas Cheer which is still available in shops and packed with inspirational and nostalgic stories from across the county.