AN American whose TV appearance two years ago changed the lives of a Tavistock family for the better has now met them face to face. The Lewis family, whose son Paul was diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder in 2003, met Raun Kaufman at his lecture at Plymouth University recently. Allen and Sheena, Paul?s parents, had previously searched for a way to tackle Paul?s autism, which they found increasingly difficult to keep under control. But after watching Raun Kaufman on The Richard and Judy Show talking about The Son-Rise Programme, they were inspired. Paul had problems communicating and relating to the world around him. People assumed his challenging behaviour was down to naughtiness or that his parents were unable to control him. Before starting the programme Paul?s vocabulary was less than 100 words ? now he speaks so much it is impossible to count the words. Meeting Raun is something the Lewis family have been waiting for since they started the programme. Raun, aged 33, offers parents hope, help, and a concrete blueprint to reach ?unreachable? children. At 18 months, Raun was diagnosed as irreversibly autistic. His parents, Barry Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman, developed a unique method called The Son-Rise Programme, enabling Raun to make a full recovery and attend a mainstream school. Raun, the director of the Autism Treatment Center of America, said: ?Rather than forcing these children to conform to a world that they don?t yet understand, we take the unique step of joining them in their autistic world first.? The programme has made so many breakthroughs that the Caudwell Charity has chosen to fund this treatment for hundreds of UK children. Raun said to everyone who attended the meeting to not worry about goals, just go with mirroring, joining and copying. Once a child can communicate to their best ability and reach out, then people could educate them. Allen said: ?His lecture was like a surgeon?s knife ? clean, precise and steady. Full of common sense and respect for our special children, parents and the professionals who work with them. ?Awesome is the word. Our team of six volunteers who attended were inspired. ?His famous line, ??The child shows us the way in, we show them the way out?, that is his key to unlocking these special people.? Every day in the UK parents are told that their children will never speak, attend a typical school, make friends, or even learn to dress themselves. Parents of autistic children around the world face daily prognoses of hopelessness. A recent media story from Northern England in April this year recounted how Alison Davies, 40, leapt to her death from the Humber Bridge, taking her 12-year-old autistic son with her. Allen said: ?To think as a direct result of Raun promoting Son-Rise on Richard and Judy two years ago this Autumn ? Paul is now able to communicate and we have a better life as a family. ?We have learned to treasure the gift of autism and although it is challenging, it brings its rewards. ?I love Paul?s autistic traits, they are unique and we now have hundreds of new friends and the local community is right behind us. ?For me this is what it?s all about ? people pulling together to help special needs children and their families.?