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Imagine having the constant need to exert energy, and never being able to sit down for too long. For 6-year-old Ethan Williamson from Northumberland, this is his day-to-day reality.
Ethan is a bright, adventurous young boy who has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is on the pathway for ADHD. Part of this means that he needs persistent movement to stay regulated. This not only impacts his daily routine, but it was affecting his relationship with his 13-year-old brother, too.
Mum, Lindsay, would struggle when it’s just her looking after both boys while her husband is at work, as they would need to spend most of the day out and about so that Ethan could stay active, however he lacks the ability to risk-assess. Lindsay said, “he’ll just run across a road or jump off a climbing frame really high”.
The family applied to local charity, The Sunshine Fund, for a climbing tower, and this has become an essential part of the garden.
It means that Ethan is still able to release the energy he needs to in the comfort of his home, without the whole family having to leave the house.
It has improved the bond between the two brothers; plus parents, Lindsay and Ed, no longer have to worry about Ethan’s road safety.
Lindsay said, “when Ethan’s friends come over, they ask where all his toys are, but when they see the climbing frame, we’re outside, they’re jumping on it and it’s one of the best things we have in the home”.
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