Nursery caused an onset of eczema, anxiety, and nightmares; coming home Oliver would be ready to burst which he did either by becoming withdrawn; doing the same activity over and over again or he would become very angry, hitting, biting, and extremely upset about everything.

SMILE was suggested to me during a nursery visit and I haven’t looked back since; it has been the lifeline we really needed. Oliver finally has something to look forward to in his week, where he can just be himself. 

He has created an amazing bond with the Project Leader and on the days he is going to SMILE he is rushing me out of the door in excitement. Just to see this in my son means so much. He now has somewhere outside the home where he is truly happy and has made friends. For a little boy who doesn’t connect with many people, this is wonderful to see.

The team at SMILE is so friendly and to have their support with my son’s difficulties has helped both of us. The advice, tools, and knowledge I have received, has allowed me, as a mother, to do what I have always wanted to do: to make my son’s experience of the world easier for him and always to understand it.

We are so blessed and forever thankful to SMILE for their work. Oliver only spoke about 6-10 words when he first came to SMILE, his language development has been incredible. I can now finally have a conversation with my son and see his incredible knowledge. By reducing his sensory difficulties he is becoming a more content, happy, and confident little boy.

I honestly don’t know where we would have been without the SMILE Team; we are incredibly lucky to have them on our journey and by our side. To say that something is life-changing is a massive statement but SMILE is life-changing for Oliver. When I look back on how far he has come I remember all the hard work SMILE has put in to helping my son achieve all that he can in life.

*name changed for privacy