PLUCKY Tyler Tassell copes with his own Asperger’s Syndrome while caring for his autistic brother, all while proving he is a tough little fighter.

The nine-year-old from Headington, Oxford, has just scooped two medals in his first taekwondo competition.

Tyler was awarded a silver medal for his sparring, and a bronze for his patterns, which are set sequences of movements, at the Open Taekwondo Championships in Cardiff last month.

Incredibly, the youngster had only won his first earned belt, a yellow belt, in the martial art a week before the championships.

His proud parents, painter and decorator Tony Tassell and Marie Gellatly, both 35, were there to watch him, along with his brothers Connor, six and Joshua, five.

Ms Gellatly said: “We are so proud of him. Tyler has Asperger’s, which affects the way he socialises with people and forms friendships. And he also gets anxious and often feels isolated. But he still manages to be a carer for his brother Connor, who has autism.

“In fact, the care he shows me and Connor and his other brother Joshua is above and beyond what you would expect from a child his age.”

As well as assisting with household chores, Tyler helps Connor to dress each morning and plays with him while his mum dresses Joshua.

On top of that, Tyler also makes sure his mum – who has a heart condition – takes her medication.

Ms Gellatly added: “Tyler wasn’t diagnosed with Asperger’s until a couple of years ago, but it explained so much. Until then we put his low moods down to Connor’s situation, but now we realise he has his own struggles to deal with.

“Sometimes I feel sad that he has to do so much. In some ways he is like a little dad.

“But Tyler is a very bright boy and he has become so passionate about karate and taekwondo, which he does with his dad Tony.”

Tyler, who attends St Nicholas Primary School in Old Marston, said: “I like to play with Connor and help my mummy and daddy.

“Taekwondo and karate are brilliant and I love my medals. Now I want to try to win even more competitions.”