Robert was a very restless baby and only really responsive to the stimulus of touch. A hearing check showed severe impairment but it was hoped that, after operations to remove his tonsils and adenoids and to drain his ears, his hearing would improve and so would his development.

Once he began playschool, however, it was clear to the teachers and to his mum, Jo, that Robert was struggling, but it was to be some time before a diagnosis was reached: Robert had moderate learning difficulties, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, and autism.

During these difficult years, as Robert...