A MUM has launched a book chronicling her family’s journey raising their autistic son.

Dawn Avery has published “From a Tear to Here: Autism - A Family’s Journey” which details family life with her son Aston Avery in Pitsea.

Mr Avery, 29, has lived with autism since being diagnosed at aged two-and-a-half, and has also battled the bowel disease enterocolitis, which leaves the bowels and internal muscles not working properly.

Autism is a developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact.

Mrs Avery, 53, said the book lifts the lid on what an autism diagnosis does to a family, as well as the individual.

It talks about how Mr Avery was a “constant worry” to the family, running away the moment their backs were turned, eating inedible objects and banging his head constantly.

Dawn Averys book

Dawn Avery's book

Mrs Avery said: “The task of looking after Aston was made even more difficult as we had to hold down jobs and care for our son Aaron, although to his credit he was highly supportive.

“When we got the diagnosis, we never thought where we were going to go. It doesn’t just affect the person with autsim, it affects the entire family.

“The book starts at the diagnosis and progresses from there, but it’s positive as well.

“It’s my book, but there is a part where Aston’s psychiatrist has written about how she got involved, my husband and brother have both written pieces.”

Mr Avery previously won the Pride of Essex Award and is an ambassador for the national autism charity Anna Kennedy Online.

All proceeds from the book will go to Anna Kennedy Online, inclusive arts school La Danse Fantastique and the family’s own Team Avery group.

Mrs Avery added: “It was my therapy, lockdown was really difficult for us, with someone living with autism used to their routine and everything in it place.”

See www.teamaveryessex.com