I know a lovely old-fashioned family hotel by the sea. Peter, the friendly owner, has a son, Tom, eight, with the mental age of his sister, four. Tom is a compulsive eater and only speaks a few words. Due to meltdowns in public places he is now almost housebound. The lockdowns, says his dad, were “pretty tough” when his special school was reduced to three days a week. Peter, self-employed, with no hotel guests in lockdowns, had to start meals on wheels. He praises his wife for “taking the brunt”. Tom is “normally happy” but can break his iPad, hit or squeeze –he has sensory issues. Managing him was worse during lockdowns, as autistic children need their routines. “Summer holidays are a nightmare,” says Peter. He and his wife had to go to court to get Tom into his school.