A MOTHER from Crapstone will be riding her first ever 100-mile sportive next weekend (July 31), when she takes part in the 2016 Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 for the National Autistic Society.

Louise Walker is undertaking the challenge to raise money for the society after it has supported her and her family with her son Dominic.

Dominic was diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at the age of four, after various incidents at home and school indicated that he was struggling.

Louise said: ‘Dominic was diagnosed with ASD when he was four years old. Prior to that I knew there was something wrong but I didn’t know what. We had days where my husband had to carry him from family days out kicking and screaming.’

The family requested a Statement of Educational Need (SEN), a document which sets out a child’s educational needs to ensure they get the right support to enable them to make progress in school.

‘We had to get a SEN so he would be allowed to attend our village primary school,’ said Louise. ‘We fought hard to get Dom into a mainstream secondary school that had a good track record of looking after children with autism.’

The family’s hard work paid off when, last year, Dom achieved a pass in five GCSE subjects.

‘If you had told me ten years ago that he would pass five GCSEs, I would have laughed in your face. He is a remarkable young man. The next thing Dom would like to achieve is getting his driving licence.’

Dom is hoping to achieve this with the help of his Auntie Donna, who is a driving instructor and has completed a specialist course in teaching people with autism how to drive. However, Dom has recently started suffering seizures and is unable to learn for the time being.

Louise said: ‘At Easter, while visiting family, Dom started having seizures out of the blue. We had to go to King’s College Hospital where, after 19 hours in A&E, he was diagnosed with partial complex seizures, putting paid to his plans of learning to drive for now.’

Throughout the hardest times for the Walker family, the National Autistic Society has been a source of support, guidance and information, helping them to deal with the challenges they and Dom face each day living with autism. Signing up to ride the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 is Louise’s way of saying thank you.

‘The NAS has given so much help and support over the years, so in my slightly emotional state, I signed up for the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100. I might be regretting that now, but I am training hard.

‘There is much hard work ahead but, with the help and support of my family, I am determined to make it on the day!’

For more information or to make a donation to Louise’s cause, visit nas-ridelondon-2016.everydayhero.com/uk/louise