Stories

When we first joined Sparks, I was looking for simple and practical ways to help my child at home. I wanted to understand what I could do as a parent to support their development, without making everyday life feel like another therapy or formal session.

The guidance we have received from Sparks has been very practical and easy to use as part of our normal daily routines. The suggestions are things we can actually try at home, and over time I have noticed my child becoming more settled, more engaged and increasingly willing to communicate and take part.

What has also made a real difference is having regular contact with the Sparks team. Being able to ask questions, talk about what we are seeing at home and get ideas about what we could try next has given me a lot of reassurance. It has helped me better understand my child’s needs and given me a clearer idea of how we can support the next steps in their development.

For me, Sparks is not only about the sessions themselves. It is also about giving parents practical knowledge and confidence that we can carry into everyday family life.

For our family, Sparks has opened up new opportunities for learning, communication and social interaction. My child really enjoys taking part in the shared activities, and it has been lovely to see them gradually becoming more comfortable and confident around other people.

One of the things I particularly appreciate is that the support does not have to stop when a session finishes. We have access to ideas, activities and materials that we can continue using at home between sessions. This means we can build on what my child has been doing with Sparks and introduce the same ideas naturally into our own routines.

Being connected with other parents and families has also been really valuable. Hearing how other families manage similar situations, what has worked for their children and the different approaches they have tried has given me ideas that I might never have thought of on my own.

Every child and every family is different, but being able to share experiences and learn from each other makes a real difference. Sparks has given my child more opportunities to participate and learn, while also giving us as parents more ideas and confidence to continue supporting them at home.

What I value most about Sparks is the feeling that we are not doing everything alone. As a parent, there are times when you simply want somewhere to turn when you have a question, need some advice or want to talk through something you have noticed. Knowing that there are people who understand and are willing to listen makes a big difference.

Since being involved with Sparks, I have seen encouraging progress in my child. They have developed with things such as taking turns, following routines and becoming more willing to try activities that are unfamiliar to them. Some of these changes may seem small to other people, but as a parent you notice them, and each step forward is important.

The conversations between parents have been equally valuable to me. Every family has a different experience and a different perspective, so there is always something we can learn from one another. Sometimes another parent will mention something they have tried and it gives you a completely new idea for your own child.

There is a very natural and supportive feeling to those conversations. You can share experiences, listen to other parents and realise that other families understand many of the same challenges and achievements. For our family, that sense of connection, alongside the practical support for my child, has been one of the most valuable parts of Sparks.

When my child was discharged from the NHS, I remember leaving with a leaflet and feeling completely lost. I didn’t really understand what I was supposed to do next, what support my child needed, or how I could help as a parent. I had so many questions, but I didn’t know where to start.

Dr Puvan helped me to understand my child much better — not just the difficulties they were experiencing, but also their strengths, abilities and potential. Having someone take the time to explain things properly and help me understand what I could do made a huge difference.

Over the years, I have watched my child develop and achieve things that, at the beginning, I did not know would be possible. Looking back now, I can see so much more of my child’s potential and how important it was to have the right understanding, encouragement and support along the way.

Sparks has been a very important part of that journey for our family. In particular, being around other Sparks parents gave me confidence. Talking to parents who understood many of the same worries, sharing experiences and learning what had worked for other families made me feel that I was not trying to work everything out on my own.

Most importantly, I have seen a massive improvement in my child over the years. But Sparks has also changed me as a parent. I understand my child better, I have much more confidence in how I support them, and I am able to see their abilities and potential rather than only focusing on the challenges.

When I think back to how lost I felt when we first started, compared with where my child and I are today, the difference is enormous.