In an emotional moment after a couple of very difficult days during the school holidays, Dr Sophie Billington penned a poem about her son Tristan, who has Asperger’s syndrome.

“He is wired differently, To you and me, This child of mine,” it begins and goes on to explain that, while he can’t tie his shoelaces at the age of 11, he understands nanotechnology and genome editing technology.

“He is kind, He is generous But the world judges, Sees only the outbursts and over-reactions.”

It was after a series of such outbursts, caused by the change in routine brought about by the holidays, that Sophie found release in putting pen to paper.

She posted the poem (see below) on her Facebook page and was amazed at the response from friends – one even asked to use it to help her in her work training special educational needs teachers.  More