Molly's Story

Melissa Richardson is mum to daughter Molly, who has severe autism, and has been a student at Portfield from the age of 6.  

 With hindsight, Melissa Richardson says early signs of autism were present in her daughter from very early on. Molly ignored calls of her name and seemed in a world of her own. Her hearing had been tested several times by the age of 3, and although there were some issues with Molly’s hearing, her mother knew there was more to it than that.

Melissa comments, “Professional diagnosis came when Molly turned three, but I knew from the age of two that Molly was different from other children. At the time I was a young, single mother and Molly was my first child. I had never heard of Autism Spectrum Disorder and had no idea how to cope.”

Molly is now a thriving 15 year old, and in the developing story of autism – interest in which has increased hugely in the last decade – girls only make up a small proportion of people diagnosed with autism, with boys being four times more likely to develop autism disorders. When Melissa received the diagnosis it came as a huge shock, as it would for any parent, but additionally so, because Molly is a girl.

 Molly was greeted with a brother at the age of 2, Oliver, who is now 13 and known to his family as ‘Benjamin Button’ as he is wise beyond his years. Melissa explains this is entirely due to the family situation. “Oliver has had to grow up in ways other boys his age don’t have to. I love all my children dearly, but Molly demands so much attention and energy that Oliver has sometimes been pushed to the side. He makes a fantastic brother and adores his sister. But he has suffered too; when he was little the party invitations quickly dried up because people thought Molly was destructive. Sadly, he missed out because people weren’t able to understand Molly’s needs or accept her, so none of us were welcome.” 

Molly and her family moved to Dorset from Englefield Green in Surrey in May 2002, when, at the age of 6, Molly started at Portfield School in Christchurch. Melissa continues; “I can look back now and recognise the day Molly started at Portfield as the day our lives started to turn around.

"Molly was non verbal for the first 6 ½ years of her life. She has limited speech now but is able to communicate in other ways. The school has done a wonderful job with Molly, to the point where it was the start of a new life for us. Without their help, I wouldn’t have been able to have another baby. The positive impact on our lives has been that profound."

Autism is a lifelong condition and there is a constant worry about how to cope with the next stage of Molly’s life. “She is an adolescent now and experiencing hormonal and physical changes like any other teenager. But so far this has not fazed her at all. The school prepared her for these changes, and we carried this through at home. Caring for Molly is very much a team effort, and I couldn’t do it without all the wonderful support I have. And it is essential to have support. Molly goes to respite 60 nights a year, which I felt so guilty about. But the time that gives me to recharge my batteries enables me to keep her living at home, and ensures she is happy too.”

Melissa concludes, “You can enjoy life with autism. Molly is a gift and I feel I was meant to have her. I would be utterly lost without her.”

If you would like more information, please contact the school on 01202 573808.