In less than a month my daughter, Bethany, who has Autistic Spectrum Disorder, will be six years old.

She used to live in her own little world and rarely said a word.

She attends a special school five days a week. She has a 50 minute chaperoned bus ride each way. She is very brave.

Bethany is currently in what is essentially the nursery class. The youngest child in her class is three and attends part time. Bethany was in the same class last year, and whilst she made tremendous progress, she was not ready to move up.

Other kids her age have been through Reception and are now in Year 1 (UK school system). They are reading and doing math sums. They are holding two way conversations and learning jokes. They are also toilet trained.

It stings sometimes, that she is not on a par with her peers, but I am thankful that Bethany is in a place which adapts to her needs so she can learn at her own pace.

At Bethany’s last birthday we finally got her to unwrap her own birthday present and blow out candles on the cake (she blew out mine a few days before).

Last Christmas she actually unwrapped her own presents (in previous years I had to unwrap them for her). She watched The Snowman and Katherine Jenkins: Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall on repeat.

Between January and April this year, Bethany started to thrive. Intensive regular interactions at school, at home, and with her cousins encouraged this growth. At Easter, she won a trophy for her progress. We were so proud of her.

During the summer term, Bethany started adding lots of words to her vocabulary. She is still not capable of carrying a conversation but most of the time she is able to communicate a need or a desire.

At times she will surprise us with a new word. Recently I was dozing in the recliner with Bethany on my lap. She leaned in and nuzzled me before saying, “are you awake?” She has used the word “awake” a few times now in the correct context. We have been amazed by this.

One day, not so long ago, her dad asked her what she wanted. She responded, “cake!” This was her first time verbally answering a question.

Bethany is also engaging in pretend play. Sometimes she will pretend to be asleep by lying down and snoring, before sitting up and saying, “awake.” She likes to get her ten little princesses jumping on the bed, and falling off one by one while we sing the song.

Bethany still adores dresses, princesses, Disney, and music. She is also very interested in playing with and taking lego apart but she is not quite so good at putting it back together again. She is also very determined which can be good and bad.

As a parent, you celebrate every baby step and every milestone. When those moments are delayed they are even sweeter when they finally happen.

We are genuinely thrilled with Bethany’s growth this year. It is beautiful to see her blossoming, especially as we have desired to see it for so long.

I’m really looking forward to hearing her say “mum” and “dad!”