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Back in 2020, her son Tommy was diagnosed with autism and dyspraxia — a developmental co-ordination disorder.
And Sam Bailey, 45, has now revealed that Tommy (now 13) confessed to feeling suicidal aged 12, admitting: ‘He wanted to throw himself in front of the bus!’
In a heartbreaking new interview, the former X Factor star also delved into her 2-year battle to get her son the right support, after he joined secondary school at the end of 2020.
Heartbreaking: Sam Bailey, 45, has now revealed that Tommy (now 13) confessed to feeling suicidal aged 12, admitting: ‘He wanted to throw himself in front of the bus!’
Sam told The Sun how the secondary school bus was a ‘massive sensory overload’ for Tommy, which she branded: ‘his worst nightmare.’
She recalled: ‘He’d be banging his head against the wall before he left the house. He told us he wanted to throw himself in front of the bus.
‘We’d often get a call saying we needed to pick him up because he wasn’t behaving, or he’d run out of his lesson and gone missing.’
Sam – who is also mum to daughters Brooke, 17, and Miley, eight – explained how the school’s special educational needs co-ordinator tried to support Tommy, however there wasn’t enough manpower to meet his needs.
Difficulties: Back in 2020, her son Tommy was diagnosed with autism and dyspraxia — a developmental co-ordination disorder (Pictured in September)
A journey: In a heartbreaking new interview, the former X Factor star also delved into her 2-year battle to get him the right support, after he joined secondary school at the end of 2020
Determined to secure better assistance for her son, the doting mother-of-three applied for an education, health and care plan (EHCP), to get the funding needed, but sadly it was at first rejected.
At this point, Sam made the decision to pull Tommy out of that school, telling the publication: ‘Hearing the words, ”I don’t want to be alive any more” from a 12-year-old was heartbreaking. I knew I couldn’t have him going back.’
After further applications, Tommy was eventually given an EHCP, and with it he was granted 20 hours of funding and a place at a special school he ‘absolutely hated’ and which Sam and her husband Craig removed him from in July 2021.
It has only been this past autumn school term that Tommy has finally been given a place at a social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) school which offers the calm environment, which he needs in order to thrive.
Tough: ‘Hearing the words, ”I don’t want to be alive any more” from a 12-year-old was heartbreaking. I knew I couldn’t have him going back,’ said Sam of his first secondary school
Thankfully, according to Sam, Tommy is now ‘so much happier,’ and explained how if he has a meltdown, staff take him for a walk or to spend time with the therapy dog.
The singer asserted she doesn’t want people to ‘pity’ her, insisting: ‘I wouldn’t change Tommy for the world. I just want him to have a life where he can grow and meet people and maybe one day fall in love and have children of his own.’
Sam maintained that those things would be available to her son if the Government makes the system that’s currently in place easier to navigate.
In order to ‘better understand her son’, Sam – who is currently appearing as Mrs Potts in a tour of the musical Beauty And The Beast – has enrolled on a course with Bath College, which will give her a qualification in autism.
She stated: ‘Autism doesn’t go away. He’s not going to get better, but he can learn to cope with things better.’
Rollercoaster: After multiple applications, Tommy was given an EHCP, and a place at a special school he ‘absolutely hated’ and which Sam andhusband Craig removed him from in July 2021
Animal support: Thankfully, according to Sam, Tommy is now ‘so much happier,’ and explained how if he has a meltdown, staff take him for a walk or to spend time with the therapy dog
Elsewhere in the interview, Sam also urged people to give space to children wearing a hidden disabilities lanyard or ear defenders, to not use raised voices and to not assume the child is ‘just being naughty’.
It comes after Sam took to Instagram last month to share an informative post about her 13-year-old son struggling to deal with the crowds in London, to raise awareness of autism and hidden disabilities.
The boy could be seen sitting on the floor at a London McDonald’s as he was reassured by his father Craig Pearson, 49, after becoming tired and overwhelmed while laying flowers for the Queen.
The singer revealed to the publication that people responded by telling her not to take him into big cities, but she argued that she doesn’t want her son to be ‘stuck at home.’
MailOnline has contacted Sam Bailey’s representatives for comment.
If you’re worried a child is feeling suicidal, trained counsellors at NSPCC can provide help or advice over the phone on 0808 800 5000
Children and young people under 19 can also get support from Childline ,online or over the phone 24 hours a day on 0800 1111
Bright future: She stated: ‘Autism doesn’t go away. He’s not going to get better, but he can learn to cope with things better’
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