The Natural History Museum is a favourite haunt of Kallan, on the autistic scale since he was 3 years old. He shares a respite moment with his mum after wandering through the dinosaur exhibition wearing a dinosaur mask, a gift from his mum. The Natural History Museum, London, England

Battling for survival. Signage at the Sea Aquarium in London

Kallan transforms his body language as a dinosaur, a beast he greatly admires and is obsessively attracted too. Natural History Museum, London, England

Kallan and his mum Nicole share an intimate moment at the Sea Life London Aquarium. The motion of the sharks swimming balletically has a calming effect on his autistic persona. Whenever he visits the aquarium, he wears a shark swim-fin to be at one with atmosphere. Sea Aquarium, London, England

At Weymouth beach, on a sun drenched afternoon, Kallan swims joyfully as though he was a shark in the ocean. Being embraced by the undulating motion of water creates an inner calm for him. His friends Duja and Jaffa join in the frivolity. Weymouth Beach, Dorset, England

After a morning breakfast, Shoulana and Mekhey share an intimate moment of affection. Maida Vale, London, England Shoulana mused: “I can have all the plans I want, all the dreams I wish for my children, but reaching them is a very different thing. The harsh reality of having a severely disabled child needing 24-hour care crushed my career aspiration as the unwarranted circumstances eliminated all opportunities to secure full-time employment. Beyond that, as the non-working prime carer, I was sadly forced to depend on social benefits to financially support my family.”

Although Mekhey can walk, his legs are week and unstable which require for any outings to be strapped to a wheel chair. He flaps his hands and screeches sounds which can be unnerving to those who are unaware of his condition. This young girl tentatively walks past, uncertain of his physical and mental issues. City Farm, London

Mekhey’s bedroom has been specially flitted out to accommodate his needs. The bed has been designed to protect him in the night when he has seizures and act as a modern womb where he cannot escape and hurt himself if awakened during the night. It hosts a camera which is aligned with his mother Shoulana’s phone so that she can view his sleeping patterns and alerted to any harmful seizures. His younger brother Gabriel enjoys playing on his computer. Home, Maida Vale, London, England

Nightly, Mekhey is bathed by Shoulana, he enjoys the warmth of the water which relaxes his stiffened body when he has seizures. Given his very acute mental condition, (he was diagnosed at ten weeks with infantile spasm) even the task of bathing has to be highly supervised. Home, Maida Vale, London, England

After bed time bath Gabriel hugs his brother Mekhey who he is very protective of even though he is the younger sibling. Home, Maida Vale, London, England

At dusk, Tracey takes her dog and son James, 18 for a walk along the Regent’s canal. James is severely autistic and must be highly supervised 24/7. Regent’s Park canal, London, England

Tragically both Tracey’s children were born with autism. She and her husband have coped with their profound disabilities since birth. Her daughter Lisa is in mainstream school which has not been able to cope with her disability. She never smiles, her room is decorated like a brothel even though she is only 11. At home, London, England.

Parenting and caring for a child who has severe disabilities is an immensely complex affair. Parents walk razer edge on many decisions when it comes to the well being of their children. Crucial to family life is respect and love that they engage with their child. James is on the extreme scale of autism, non verbal. This is his world, his parents have decorated his room to reflect his passion for trains. At home, London, England.

The sparkling sunshine and dramatic sand dune scenery inspired Analissa to have a traditional Muslim prayer on a cliff with her son Jaffa. Weymouth Beach, Dorset, England

Maria dresses in one of her favourite Disney’s characters whilst awaiting the scheduled abdominal surgery. Whilst watching a film on her phone, in a reversal of roles, she soothes her mum Annalisa. St. Mary’s Hospital, London, England

Over a period of time, Maria was experiencing acute abdominal pain which the doctors had problems identifying. Along with her Downs Syndrome medical condition and being on the autistic scale, Maria also wears a colectomy bag since she was 3 months old. Today the doctors will be running a battery of tests to access her condition. Maria’s mum, Annalisa hugs her for reassurance. St. Mary’s Hospital, London, England

Maria is intensely frightened of needles and especially blood tests. Finally after multiple attempts, Maria was soothed by her sister Juba and Mum, allowing the nurse to take the samples. St. Mary’s Hospital, London, England

The mask for anaesthetic is placed on Maria’s face as her mother gives her a kiss of support and love. St. Mary’s Hospital, London, England

After an exhausting day at the hospital where Maria was subjected to a battery of tests, Annalisa embraces her wrought child in empathy and love. St. Mary’s Hospital, London, England