Three years ago, Autism Outreach told me that because of my son's problems with emotional literacy he'd never manage more than a D for English Language. So much of the work is analytical, or creative, and he'd wouldn't be able to get it. She explained, "None of the autistic kids ever get more than a D for English" 
.
We were already home educating by then, as ds had been failed by two schools and we'd given up on any support. I had no idea how to tackle his problems with English and emotions, and I'd tried plenty. Then I found an amazing tutor, a wonderful girl who was (still is!) studying English and Linguistics at university. She has worked steadily with ds for the last three years, and taught him so much. His use of language has developed into a mature writing style, and yes he's even learned how to analyse literature texts. He will even write (under duress!) about himself - something he's always found extremely difficult.
In January he sat IGCSE English exams and this morning he got his results. He has actually passed with an A*, something I'd never thought possible. I am enormously proud of what he's achieved and have wept buckets since the email came 
.
So yes, I'm boasting, but I also hope this can inspire some of you to be open minded about your children's abilities and not be fobbed off by those professionals who have no ambition for them, and won't have the resources or intent to support them towards high achievement. Our children are amazing and full of promise, and with the right people behind them they can soar.