A FARNHAM mum, who built a website aimed at helping other parents of children with special needs, has been voted People’s Autism Hero at a recent awards ceremony in London.

Tania Tirraoro – whose two sons, Luca, 18, and Giorgio, 17, have autism – advocates for families whose children also have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

She runs the www.spe

cialneedsjungle.com website that she started in 2008, after successfully getting statements of special educational needs for her sons.

Both boys attended More House School in Frensham, leaving with top grades before moving on to study at Alton Sixth Form College. They are both hoping to go to university next year.

Tania’s family were at the ceremony in London’s Marble Arch with her to see her win the award.

She said:“The event was full of people doing amazing work for children and adults with autism so I didn’t expect to win at all. I would never have entered myself, but another parent I didn’t even know nominated me.

“I’ve had congratulations from parents, SEND professionals and autism advocates across the world. When you work as I do, as a volunteer, it means an enormous amount to be publicly recognised for what you do.”

Special Needs Jungle is registered as a non-profit organisation, but finding the time to look for funding is difficult, combined with running the site and coping with the chronic pain condition she was diagnosed with in 2013.

“My condition, Ehlers Danlos syndrome, means I need strong painkillers to function, I can’t walk far and I’m affected by fatigue every day. I do my best not to let it stop me but I rely on my husband, Marco, much more than I used to. He’s the real hero,” added Tania.

Special Needs Jungle has grown from a small parent blog to a website with thousands of viewers every day and a large social media following. The flow charts Tania produced to explain the new Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) were included in the government’s national information packs, but the costs of running the site are growing.

“We had 85,000 visitors in June alone and we desperately need funders or donations to help pay our website costs. I’d also love more SEND parents to send in their own stories, as that really can help to inspire others.”

Both of Tania’s sons now have EHCPs and personal budgets for physio to help support their own EDS conditions.

Ehlers Danlos syndrome is the same condition that Farnham student, Laura Sylvester, recently underwent life-saving surgery for in the US.

Tania also volunteers as the UK and Europe Advisor for the global charity, The Ehlers Danlos Society and is a trustee for Genetic Alliance UK.