By . Emma Innes . PUBLISHED: . 05:04 EST, 10 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:53 EST, 11 September 2013 . An autistic boy's life has been transformed by his best friend - a pet lizard called Spike. Callum Lake has Asperger syndrome, a form of autism which affects the way he communicates with, and relates to, others. The condition means the 10-year-old struggles to read people's emotions and to understand social situations, making it difficult for him to make friends at school. Callum Lake has become more confident and independent since he got Spike. The creature has also helped him to deal better with anxiety and to make friends . But in recent months, Callum's mother, Karen Beech, has noticed dramatic changes in her son's character, which she attributes to his new pet gecko. Callum, from Hurdsfield, in Cheshire, is responsible for looking after Spike, which has given him more independence and greater confidence in his own abilities. Spike has also given Callum something to focus on when he gets anxious, which has helped him keep calm, and helped him strike up conversations with his classmates at school. Callum said: ‘Looking after Spike is really fun. I've started getting up really early in the mornings so I can sit and eat my breakfast with him before school. Callum said: 'Looking after Spike is really fun. I've started getting up really early in the mornings so I can sit and eat my breakfast with him before school' ‘I feed Spike worms but my mum has to feed him crickets because I don't like them jumping around.’ Miss Beech, 38, said: ‘Callum had always had a special interest in dinosaurs. ‘One day he asked for one and a lizard seemed like the next best thing so we bought Spike. ‘As soon as Callum held him, he fell in love with him. He's his best friend. ‘Supporting people with autism, like Callum, who can and do want to form friendships goes a long a way towards ending the isolation that many people with the condition feel. ‘Spike may be small, but he has had a huge impact on Callum's life and it's heart-warming to see him so much more confident and independent with family and at home.’ Callum lives with his mother, her partner Mark, 41, and sister Niamh, six. He was diagnosed two years ago after four years of investigations by health specialists. Miss Beech, a teaching assistant, said: ‘When he was young we thought Callum was a “pipe and slippers” person, someone who just liked things a certain way. ‘He didn't cope with change very well. When he went to school teachers noticed his problems with communication, avoiding eye contact, and we started looking at what could be the issue. ‘Although it was hard to hear Callum had Asperger syndrome, it was a relief that we had an answer and could start supporting him.’ Miss Beech is also an ambassador for the National Autistic Society, the UK's leading charity for people affected by autism. Callum's mother, Karen, said: 'Callum had always had a special interest in dinosaurs. One day he asked for one and a lizard seemed like the next best thing so we bought Spike. As soon as Callum held him, he fell in love with him. He's his best friend' Researchers at the Hospital Research Centre of Brest in France believe that the social skills of children with autism improve if they have a pet. The scientists found that children with the disorder are better able to comfort other people and to share their possessions if they have a pet. It is thought that this could be because introducing a pet into a family increases family bonds and interaction.
Callum Lake, 10, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago .
He is fascinated by dinosaurs so his mother bought him a pet lizard .
Since he got Spike, he has become more confident and independent .
Spike also helps him cope with anxiety and make friends .
By . Emma Innes . PUBLISHED: . 05:04 EST, 10 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:53 EST, 11 September 2013 . An autistic boy's life has been transformed by his best friend - a pet lizard called Spike. Callum Lake has Asperger syndrome, a form of autism which affects the way he communicates with, and relates to, others. The condition means the 10-year-old struggles to read people's emotions and to understand social situations, making it difficult for him to make friends at school. Callum Lake has become more confident and independent since he got Spike. The creature has also helped him to deal better with anxiety and to make friends . But in recent months, Callum's mother, Karen Beech, has noticed dramatic changes in her son's character, which she attributes to his new pet gecko. Callum, from Hurdsfield, in Cheshire, is responsible for looking after Spike, which has given him more independence and greater confidence in his own abilities. Spike has also given Callum something to focus on when he gets anxious, which has helped him keep calm, and helped him strike up conversations with his classmates at school. Callum said: ‘Looking after Spike is really fun. I've started getting up really early in the mornings so I can sit and eat my breakfast with him before school. Callum said: 'Looking after Spike is really fun. I've started getting up really early in the mornings so I can sit and eat my breakfast with him before school' ‘I feed Spike worms but my mum has to feed him crickets because I don't like them jumping around.’ Miss Beech, 38, said: ‘Callum had always had a special interest in dinosaurs. ‘One day he asked for one and a lizard seemed like the next best thing so we bought Spike. ‘As soon as Callum held him, he fell in love with him. He's his best friend. ‘Supporting people with autism, like Callum, who can and do want to form friendships goes a long a way towards ending the isolation that many people with the condition feel. ‘Spike may be small, but he has had a huge impact on Callum's life and it's heart-warming to see him so much more confident and independent with family and at home.’ Callum lives with his mother, her partner Mark, 41, and sister Niamh, six. He was diagnosed two years ago after four years of investigations by health specialists. Miss Beech, a teaching assistant, said: ‘When he was young we thought Callum was a “pipe and slippers” person, someone who just liked things a certain way. ‘He didn't cope with change very well. When he went to school teachers noticed his problems with communication, avoiding eye contact, and we started looking at what could be the issue. ‘Although it was hard to hear Callum had Asperger syndrome, it was a relief that we had an answer and could start supporting him.’ Miss Beech is also an ambassador for the National Autistic Society, the UK's leading charity for people affected by autism. Callum's mother, Karen, said: 'Callum had always had a special interest in dinosaurs. One day he asked for one and a lizard seemed like the next best thing so we bought Spike. As soon as Callum held him, he fell in love with him. He's his best friend' Researchers at the Hospital Research Centre of Brest in France believe that the social skills of children with autism improve if they have a pet. The scientists found that children with the disorder are better able to comfort other people and to share their possessions if they have a pet. It is thought that this could be because introducing a pet into a family increases family bonds and interaction.
transformed by his best friend - a pet lizard called Spike. Callum Lake has Asperger syndrome, friends at school. Callum Lake has become more confident and independent since he got Spike. The anxiety and to make friends . But in recent home.’ Callum lives with his mother, her partner Mark, 41, and sister Niamh, six. He was diagnosed two years ago after four years of investigations