"It takes up 24/7 of your day," said Louise – as she struggles to hold on to Dan. "Along with the physical stress there is the emotional strain, as from the moment he wakes up you are always worrying where he is and what he is doing.
"Sometimes he has climbed on top of things like the TV, so even when you go out you are constantly concerned."
Like thousands of parents across the country, the couple from Maddiston have to cope with the extreme demands of caring for a child with autism.
But for one day a week, Louise and Peter are given a brief respite as Dan goes to stay with Avril Ness – a local short-break carer.
The 60-year-old from Carron has been looking after Dan one night a week since March 2006.
As well as giving exhausted families the chance to have a break, it allows children with autism to develop skills and make friends in a new environment.
"He settled in quite quickly and everyone in my family gets on really well him," said Avril.
"Now he has a far more normal sleeping pattern, before he could be up from any time from 2 a.m. Now he sleeps to around 6 a.m.
"If it's a nice day my husband and I take Dan outside to the play parks.
"He also loves going to soft-play areas and the shops as well."
"I get a lot of pleasure just seeing all the small changes in him in the last year," she added.
"When you speak to him now he shows far more eye contact, while even doing things like getting his books for school in the morning is fantastic."
While Dan gets the chance to have a break, it also allows Peter and Louise, who are forced to work part-time, to recharge their batteries and to devote attention to Dan's twin sister Megan.
"What it means is that Dan gets refreshed parents who can continue to carry on looking after him," said Peter.
"Just that one night makes all the difference to how we approach life. If you didn't have that rest you are tired, stressed and can become more bad tempered.
"It's just great not to have that worry on your mind for one day," added Louise.
"We can spend some time with Megan and just get out and do things, like bowling or fishing."
Peter added: "We would never want it to happen, but just that one day a week will probably stop him ever having to go into more full-time care."
But while the weary couple have one day of relief, a recent survey by the charity Shared Care Network, highlighted the desperate shortage of short break carers – with one third of disabled children on the waiting list diagnosed with autism.
Avril appealed for more people to become involved in providing support.
"I know Peter and Louise appreciate it, as it gives them a chance to get a rest and allows them the chance to do things with Megan," she said.
"It may sound difficult, but honestly you get so much satisfaction out of the fact you are helping a family that really need your support."
To find out more information about short-term carers contact the Children with Disabilities Team at Falkirk Council on (01324) 504343.
Fact file ... fact file ... fact file ...
PROVIDING respite (regular short breaks from caring) is the support service most frequently requested by the parents of disabled children.
Most children who use the scheme have learning difficulties, but they may also have other disabilities such as physical problems, complex healthcare needs, autism or sensory impairments.
A report published by national charity Shared Care Network, entitled 'Breaking Down the Barriers', surveyed families of autistic children who are linked to short-break carers in their communities.
More than half of parents surveyed said getting short breaks helped their autistic child make friends and 92 per cent said it helped them gain social skills.
More than four fifths said it helped their child take part in social activities, nearly two thirds said they thought it helped them gain independence and more than three quarters said short breaks made their child happier.