Desperate single mum who is raising three severely autistic kids shares SHOCKING video of her daily struggle - and claims she gets little help from the authorities
- Laksuma Begum, 32, from Somerton in Newport, Wales, shared the footage
- She takes care of her non-verbal sons Caius, eight, Kyan, seven, and Sammy, five
- Teacher has asked council for respite care, but claims she's received little help
A desperate single mother has shared shocking videos revealing her difficulties raising three severely autistic children - and claims she gets no help from the authorities.
Laksuma Begum, 32, from Somerton in Newport, Wales, spends her time cleaning, cooking and taking care of her non-verbal sons Caius, eight, Kyan, seven, and Sammy, five.
The footage shows the boys grabbing their mum's hair until she cries, tugging at curtains and even screaming and biting - leaving the family feeling like prisoners in their own home.
The high-school supply teacher claims she has been seeking help from Newport City Council for respite care to help with her 'angels in disguise' since 2015, and has even called the police in her desperation but has received little help.
Laksuma Begum, 32, from Somerton in Newport, Wales, has shared shocking videos revealing her daily struggle raising three severely autistic kids
The footage shows her sons Caius, eight, Kyan, seven, and Sammy, five (pictured left to right) grabbing their mum's hair until she cries, tugging at curtains and even screaming and biting
The desperate mother spends her time cleaning, cooking and taking care of her non-verbal sons. Pictured, Laksuma's house in the aftermath of their tantrums
Laksuma, who split up with her husband in February 2018, has now shared the videos to raise awareness of the impact autism can have on families.
'My babies can't express themselves, and that causes them severe anxiety,' she explained. 'Autism is a very different, complex situation.'
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'My children are challenging but they have built me up to such a level - I think they were given to me for a reason, to raise awareness for children with autism and families out there.'
'All I've ever asked for from the authorities is some help to make my home a safe place and allow my children to have a mother, but I've received nothing,' she said.
The high-school supply teacher (above) claimed she has been seeking help from Newport City Council for respite care to help with her children since 2015, but has received little help
Speaking of her current situation, Laksuma said: 'I am not only fighting for my children, but I want to raise awareness for all the families that might be going through what I am.' Pictured, Caius, Kyan and Sammy
Laksuma has shared the videos to raise awareness of the impact autism can have on families. Left, the mother's tidy living room and right, moments after a tantrum
'I am not only fighting for my children, but I want to raise awareness for all the families that might be going through what I am.'
The mother-of-three hasn't been pushed to breaking point yet, but said it's just a matter of time, if she doesn't get the help she so desperately needs.
'I have a lot of patience and stamina and I still haven't been broken, but I don't know for how long I can keep going,' she explained. 'Currently, we are prisoners in our own home.'
'To this day I can't go out with my kids without the risk of one of them running away, I have to have them on a harness just so they can have a life.'
To make matters worse, Laksuma is constantly judged by strangers who are totally oblivious to her story.
While Laksuma credits herself for having a lot of 'patience' and 'stamina,' she's not sure how long it will last. Above, Caius, Kyan, and Sammy
Laksuma's boys go to Ysgol Bryn Derw and Pillgwenlly Primary School in Newport, which she described as 'absolutely fantastic'. Above, the boys often have tantrums at home
'People see me at the supermarket, with all three boys securely attached to the trolley even though they are not little, and say I am a lazy mother,' she explained. 'There is a lot of misunderstanding because my children look beautiful and normal.'
Laksuma's boys go to Ysgol Bryn Derw and Pillgwenlly Primary School in Newport, which the mum described as 'absolutely fantastic'.
But in order for the mother to be able to have time to cook or have a shower she has to keep her sons occupied with tablets - which they keep smashing.
Two weeks ago, Kyan attacked Sammy so violently, the despairing mother was forced to call Gwent Police.
While her local council intervened in December last year and offered two nights monthly respite care for the older boys - she claimed it was revoked after two stays.
Laksuma (pictured) struggles to make time to cook or even has a shower, but tries to keep her sons occupied with tablets - which they keep smashing
Speaking of the misunderstanding when it comes to her children, Laksuma said: 'People see me at the supermarket, with all three boys securely attached to the trolley even though they are not little, and say I am a lazy mother.' Pictured, Caius, Kyan and Sammy
Laksuma revealed that just two weeks ago, Kyan attacked Sammy so violently, she was forced to call Gwent Police. Pictured, Caius, Kyan, and Sammy
Her ex-partner, who she still has a mutual relationship with due to her children, looks after each boy once a month since the couple separated last year.
Sometimes, her neighbours help out before and after school hours just so she can work, but they are becoming more reluctant as the boys' actions become more violent.
She previously also paid for two private babysitters to help between nine and 12 hours a week but last December was forced to stop working until a more permanent solution is found.
'I have had to put my work on hold,' she said. 'I want to be a mother to my children, to be able to spend time with them, and I want my children to have a mother.
Speaking about giving up her job, she said: 'I want to be a mother to my children, to be able to spend time with them, and I want my children to have a mother.' Pictured, Laksuma's house after she has tided it up
The single mother said that while her neighbours sometimes help out, they are becoming more reluctant as the boys' actions become more violent. Pictured, Caius, Kyan and Sammy
'I am starting to realise that unintentionally I have become a "supermum" but actually I feel more like a care giver. I would rather my kids have a life, because right now they are suffering more than me.'
A spokesperson for Newport City Council said: 'Newport City Council is sympathetic to the concerns raised by this family and a social worker has been working with the parent for many months to help alleviate the concerns raised.'
'However it is not council policy to comment on individual cases, especially when young children are concerned.
'The council does recognise that respite care is extremely important for families and this is provided along with a range of other support services from the local authority along with other organisations.'
The high-school supply teacher has previously paid for two private babysitters to help but she was forced to stop working until a more permanent solution is found. Above, Laksuma with Caius, eight, Kyan, seven, and Sammy, five
Laksuma revealed that she is not able to leave the house with her children without the risk of one of them running away. She has to have them on a harness just so they can 'have a life'
