In this heartfelt episode, Rachel sits down with her best friend of 34 years, Rachel Rose, to discuss her deeply personal journey as a mother of a child with severe autism. Rachel shares the challenges she faced from the early signs of her son Dylan's condition to his eventual diagnosis at the age of two. With raw honesty, Rachel reflects on her experiences of love, guilt, and resilience, offering listeners a glimpse into the realities of parenting a child with special needs.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Maternal Intuition and Advocacy: The importance of trusting maternal instincts is emphasised, as the journey began with a mother's concern for her child's development, leading to relentless advocacy for a diagnosis and appropriate care. Early Diagnosis and Intervention: Receiving an autism diagnosis at the age of two was a rare occurrence at the time, highlighting the significance of early intervention and the challenges faced in accessing necessary resources and support. Impact on Family Dynamics: The challenges of raising a child with severe autism affected not only the mother but also the entire family, including siblings and extended family members, creating a ripple effect of emotional and practical challenges. Navigating the System: The experience of dealing with social services, health authorities, and educational systems is fraught with difficulties, requiring persistent advocacy and often leading to the establishment of alternative educational arrangements. Emotional Toll and Guilt: The emotional burden of caring for a child with complex needs includes feelings of guilt and the struggle to balance the needs of all children in the family, as well as the heart-wrenching decision to place a child in residential care when necessary. BEST MOMENTS "Your story will speak to so many people who carry their own unspoken emotions in silence." "I thought he was deaf. I was quite vocal, let's say, and asking for help and saying, like, something isn't right." "At first it was relief... to finally have some validation that actually I'm not crazy." "Loving Dylan is easy. It's always been the really easy part, you know, absolutely." "The guilt of him being there is as crippling as the day-to-day stress of him being at home." To connect with your host follow Me HERE: Insta: https://www.instagram.com/rachel_unspokenemotions/  TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@rachel.unspoken.em Email: rachel@unspokenemotions.co.uk   HOST BIO Rachel Elimelech is the warm, courageous voice behind Unspoken Emotions - a podcast that gives voice to the feelings we so often keep buried. A qualified Solicitor and Higher Court Advocate, Rachel combines professional insight with deeply personal lived experience - from surviving sexual abuse, loss, and single parenthood to rebuilding her life with quiet strength and unwavering resilience. Her journey from teenage single mum to respected legal professional has shaped her gift for deep connection. With empathy and authenticity, Rachel creates a safe, judgment-free space where guests are invited to speak the unspoken - grief, guilt, shame, anger, fear - and begin to let go of what no longer serves them. Through honest, unfiltered conversations, Unspoken Emotions explores how real people have turned pain into purpose and silence into healing. Rachel believes that healing begins the moment we speak the truth of our experiences - and that none of us should carry our emotions alone.