Nikki McDonald (9) sits quietly on a swing in the backyard of the family home. She is at the severe end of the autistic spectrum. Janet McDonald is raising nine-year-old triplets on her own, following the death of her husband four years ago. Two of the children are autistic. Autism is one of a group of disorders associated with difficulties in communication and social interaction. The causes are not fully understood.

Nikki often makes repetitive actions, and sometimes bangs her head so hard that she harms herself. Janet McDonald is raising nine-year-old triplets on her own, following the death of her husband four years ago. Two of the children are autistic. Autism is one of a group of disorders associated with difficulties in communication and social interaction. The causes are not fully understood.

Janet McDonald seeks advice from friends in the backyard of the family home. Janet is raising nine-year-old triplets on her own, following the death of her husband four years ago. Two of the children are autistic. Autism is one of a group of disorders associated with difficulties in communication and social interaction. The causes are not fully understood.

Doug McDonald died four years ago, after suffering a pulmonary embolism at the age of 45. Following the death of her husband, Janet McDonald is raising nine-year-old triplets on her own. Two of the children are autistic. Autism is one of a group of disorders associated with difficulties in communication and social interaction. The causes are not fully understood.

Dougie McDonald cries for an unknown reason. He has a form of autism, and although he does have some vocabulary often cannot explain what is upsetting him. Janet McDonald is raising nine-year-old triplets on her own, following the death of her husband four years ago. Two of the children are autistic. Autism is one of a group of disorders associated with difficulties in communication and social interaction. The causes are not fully understood.

Janet helps Nikki point out letters of a word as she has her lunch. Nikki has no spoken language skills. Janet McDonald is raising nine-year-old triplets on her own, following the death of her husband four years ago. Two of the children are autistic. Autism is one of a group of disorders associated with difficulties in communication and social interaction. The causes are not fully understood.

Janet snatches a little rest in bed alongside Nikki, as Ale eats candy. Ale does not display any signs of autism, and often has to take care of herself. Janet McDonald is raising nine-year-old triplets on her own, following the death of her husband four years ago. Two of the children are autistic. Autism is one of a group of disorders associated with difficulties in communication and social interaction. The causes are not fully understood.

Janet McDonald speaks to school officials about Nikki's autistic behavior. Janet is raising nine-year-old triplets on her own, following the death of her husband four years ago. Two of the children are autistic. Autism is one of a group of disorders associated with difficulties in communication and social interaction. The causes are not fully understood.

Janet McDonald gets a hug from her friend Lesley Ciper, who also has an autistic child. Janet is raising nine-year-old triplets on her own, following the death of her husband four years ago. Two of the children are autistic. Autism is one of a group of disorders associated with difficulties in communication and social interaction. The causes are not fully understood.

Nikki often makes repetitive actions, sometimes banging her head hard. Janet McDonald and a helper carry Nikki to her bedroom after she has hurt herself. Janet is raising nine-year-old triplets on her own, following the death of her husband four years ago. Two of the children are autistic. Autism is one of a group of disorders associated with difficulties in communication and social interaction. The causes are not fully understood.

As Nikki has no language, she cannot communicate to Janet why she behaves in certain ways. Janet McDonald is raising nine-year-old triplets on her own, following the death of her husband four years ago. Two of the children are autistic. Autism is one of a group of disorders associated with difficulties in communication and social interaction. The causes are not fully understood.

Arts and Entertainment,1st prize