Thursday 31 August 2017

Five everyday places to understand autistic kids and their families

Five places you can show some understanding that makes a difference - our autistic son in a shop car park

My kids and my family don't always act as you would expect.  Sometimes what we do seems odd or weird.  Like David was at the beach this summer, his actions can seem disruptive, but they are often just misunderstood.  Here's a few more places that people can make a difference to my kids' day by just showing some understanding.

Tuesday 29 August 2017

Taking our zoo out to dinner

Lion licking lips

The hilarity of our mealtimes is something to behold, reminiscent of feeding time at the zoo. My kids eating habits are so different that I seem to be required to concoct at least three meals at most dinner sittings. It's not all the kids faults that they are fussy eaters, but there is little denying their differences and it's pretty obvious when we go out to dinner.

Friday 25 August 2017

Tips to help get our kids outside

A sensory child in the garden

All the kids use the garden all year round and this is a great time to maximise it's use in our home. Fresh air and nature are always a good thing, and if you have a back garden; you have instant access to both, but it's not always easy for our family.  Autistic and many other kids can need to regulate their sensory systems - how their body reacts to the world around them.

Wednesday 23 August 2017

Walking on water with our autistic son


He turns away from the sunlight. It's bright... it's soo white. His eyes crease, his nose crinkles and his big brown eyes become little slits on a chubby looking face. He looks down, seeks the shade and seeks shelter from the wind behind me. But his isn't a bleak desert or an isolated part of the 'mid-west', this is simply our son David, at the beach.

Monday 21 August 2017

Rock pool motor-skills learning activity

Rock pool motor skills learning craft activity

Anthony loves exploring the beach when it's quiet.  Stomping around the rock pools is fun and we think about what we did by enjoying a fun rock pool craft activity too.  Read this post >>

Wednesday 16 August 2017

30 hours of free childcare may not be possible for autistic children like mine


When my eldest son, Anthony, turned three years old he received 15 hours of free childcare a week. This was really helpful and made it possible for me to continue working. When David turned three years old, he should have been entitled to the same amount. But that's not what happened. He got seven. David only got seven hours because he has autism - because he has additional needs. And this week I'm wondering if this will be the same for children like mine when the government extend free childcare for some working families in a few weeks time.

Monday 14 August 2017

MadeUpMilestones: Picnic blanket with @happylittlehugh

An amazing #madeupmilestone for Hugh

It's time for another #madeupmilestones guest post, where I get the privilege of sharing a special moment for someone.  And today, it's from Little Mama Murphy about a few seconds of magic as in on a picnic blanket and captured on camera.

Wednesday 9 August 2017

Tips to take our autistic kids to dinner

Kids eating out

It's not that we've never been out to dinner with our family before.  It's more that it tends to have been a last resort.  We are on holiday and think it's too much for David to simply live on the toast we can make in our holiday apartment for two weeks.  We have somehow run out of food on holiday.  Or some other bizarre reason.

Sunday 6 August 2017

SEND and SpectrumSunday #54

SEND & Spectrum Sunday 54

Welcome back for Spectrum and SEND Sunday #54!  I hope this linky finds you coping ok with the break or even having a great time.  Whatever you are doing this summer, we are here to share it with you.

Wednesday 2 August 2017

Camping with friends with mini sleeping bag craft

Camping holiday

Many kids including those with autism like to know what's going to happen with something new. This could be a new place, new experience or even new people.  Some of our kids friends are going camping for the holidays.  Jane has even asked if maybe her friend can camp over.   This would be a big thing and I'm not sure we are quite there yet.  But we have been doing things recently to prepare the kids for a camping holiday and this easy motor-skills craft activity gets kids set for the idea of sleeping in a sleeping bag.

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