Nikki lives near Guildford, Surrey with husband Ian and her two children, Livvy (16) NT and Greg (13) ASD & SLD.
Before having children Nikki was self-employed, running her own business, making and selling ceramic products and also running classes teaching adults and older children how to do this. She carried on this business part-time after having Olivia but gave up completely whilst expecting Greg, planning on going back to work but has yet to manage it!

Greg has had a variety of educational input in the past including intensive ABA. Since July 2007 he has been attending a private autism-specific school, following us taking the LEA to Tribunal to obtain this provision. He has flourished in this school setting, reassuring us that we made the right choice for him.

Biomedically Greg is very much a gut kid. Nikki has learnt over the years that if she can keep his digestive system in good health (not always an easy job!) then he becomes a wonderfully happy, co-operative child more able to function in the real world.

Nikki and family have lived abroad for nearly 4 years in Australia, returning in 2004. This was a wonderful experience despite their initial reservations about taking an ASD kid all that way on a plane! It has also allowed them to see how differently things can be done as in Oz they take a much more holistic approach to treating/educating special needs children which was a refreshing surprise.

As well as being on the Committee for Treating Autism, Nikki is also a Face to Face Befriender. This is a voluntary job for a local charity which provides 1:1 support to parents who have recently received a diagnosis that their child has a disability.