Natalie Thompson, a single mother from the West Midlands, is grappling with the financial burden of supporting her son Azuriah, who has multiple disabilities including autism, global development delay, and ADHD. With annual costs exceeding £7,000 for necessary private therapy sessions, she articulates feelings of failure and stress due to her limited financial means. This situation reflects a broader issue faced by families dealing with special educational needs, emphasizing the emotional and financial strain on parents.

Thompson's circumstances are compounded by her part-time job as an HR adviser, which limits her ability to earn more to support Azuriah’s needs. She is currently fighting for these therapy costs to be included in her son's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), which would provide more comprehensive support for his condition. As the government prepares to implement a new tiered support system by 2029, it raises questions about how effective these changes will be for families like Thompson’s who are in urgent need of financial assistance and adequate resources.

The emotional impact of budgetary constraints on parents like Natalie highlights the urgent need for reform in the special educational needs system. As families face the reality of high costs for therapies that are crucial for development, there is a pressing call for the government to address the systemic issues that leave many feeling unsupported and overwhelmed. The upcoming changes may bring some hope, but the immediate challenges remain significant for those currently navigating this complex landscape of care and budgeting.