A MOTHER says she would have had a breakdown had it not been for the help of a parent-led autism support group.

Amanda Thompson, of Newton Aycliffe, is mum to three children, Luke, 10, Bethany, six, and three-year-old Jacob who has a chromosome 16 disorder which mimics autism and sensory processing disorder.

She started taking part in Little Treasures group sessions in Ferryhill in October last year when the group was launched by fellow parents Michelle Abbs and Laura Younger.

Mrs Thompson has since spoken out to thank the group founders for helping her understand her son.

She said: “Thank you for everything you have done for me during the last year.

“Without you, I would have had a breakdown, I didn’t understand my son at all, I didn’t know what to do with him, I was totally clueless and lost. I still feel like that at times but knowing you guys are there is such a comfort day or night.

“Thanks again for everything, the advice, the counselling and the time you have given us, it has made a huge difference to all of us and helped us to become a stronger family.”

Mrs Abbs and Mrs Younger, who both have children on the spectrum, started Little Treasures after they were unable to find support for parents.

Since the launch the pair have helped dozens of families and their children, organised several fundraising events and even expanded to other towns in the region.

Mrs Abbs said: “We haven’t even been running for a year yet and we know we’ve had more than 100 families through the door that have been looking for help and support.

“Amanda has been with us since day one and it’s amazing for us to see the transformation from then to now, she is like a different person.”

Mrs Younger added: “We are entirely parent-led, there is just Michelle and I who organise the groups and the guest speakers and between us we have to fundraise the money we need to run the group.

“We both have children on the spectrum so we know what it’s like, and we know exactly how these parents feel when they come to us.”

Little Treasures currently has groups running from Ferryhill and Framwell Gate Moor, and next month will launch two new groups in Great Lumley and Consett.

Mrs Abbs added: “We started off with a £80 donation from a random truck driver which we are still so grateful for, and now we are here. We hope we can continue to help and support families and children for many years to come.”

A fun open day to launch the new Consett group will take place on Saturday, August 19th at The Grove Methodist Church from 10am till 2pm for families with children on the spectrum.