Wednesday 28 February 2018

How we got our autistic son to have a snowball fight

Autistic Anthony in the snow

Fighting and rough play is something I'd usually associate with my autistic kids.  Both Anthony and David crave physical contact, and Anthony in particular is a bit participate in any sort of play fighting, whether that's with lightsabers, bop gloves or plain old rough and tumble adventures. Except of course when it came to snow ball fights, "I can't mum, I get too cold."

Sunday 25 February 2018

SEND and SpectrumSunday #68


Welcome back for Spectrum and SEND Sunday #68, the place where sharing autism, special educational needs and disabilities, and mental health posts and anything else related to these topics, is the thing to do.  

Wednesday 21 February 2018

Cherished Charity: From Author, Journalist & Campaigner Stephanie Nimmo


This week I'm delighted to start my new blogging series called Cherished Charities. I was at a local Mayor's event when someone from another charity said, "No one has really heard of us unless they need us, it's so hard to raise funds."  I understood. After all I was there with a charity that I loved because they were there when we needed them.  So I thought I'd create a small opportunity for people to share the charities important to them here.  And I start with a brilliant one from this fantastic person, Stephanie Nimmo. 

Monday 19 February 2018

When medication costs

Autistic boy leans on a swing in a cold playground - when medication costs

No one wants to have to medicate their child. No one wants to medicate their child if they could do something else.  And certainly no one wants to use medication on their child that doesn't work well especially if it's because it's cheap.

Friday 16 February 2018

Kids Dragon's Fire Breath craft activity for ChineseNewYear

Jane holds her dragon breath cup and plays at being a Chinese dragon

Jane did this great activity making her own 'dragon fire breadth' for Chinese New Year. This is a super motor skills development activity for kids at any stage looking develop them.  It works on fine and bilateral motor skills with drawing, gluing and sticking.  Then kids use their imagination to be dragons.

Tuesday 13 February 2018

To our kids, for Valentines Day

Kids holding hands on valentines day

It's nearly valentines day. But you may be surprised to know that spouses and lovers receive are not the most popular recipients of valentines day cards. Teachers will receive the most Valentine's Day cards and this is followed closely by children, then mothers, wives, sweethearts and pets.  Having had three crushes on teacher's I can see why, and now as mum to three, the love I have for my precious bundles is huge - and as much for all may kids, additional needs and not.

Friday 9 February 2018

Ways to help my fussy eaters

David plays with his iPad while trying a flapjack - ideas to help my fussy eaters

Restricted diets.  Honestly, sometimes it can be depressing.  There's no medical reason why my boys can't eat things.  They are not allergic to anything (that I know of) and to most people it looks like I feed my kids the same food every day due to laziness. But it's not that.  I am in fact desperate to get them to eat a greater variety of foods.  If you are in the same boat, here's some of the ideas we have tried.  This post has been updated - read it here>>

See some of our recipe posts here>>

Tuesday 6 February 2018

What am I teaching my kids about happiness?

What am I teaching my kids about happiness - Jane at the gate

A report just released by Barnardo’s last week, found that school causes nearly two thirds of children to suffer from stress. A third of pupils are unhappy at home with a quarter are concerned about their weight. Sad isn't it.  Only two days ago I was writing about poor mental health in parents and now I'm writing about it again.  But maybe, that's the point.

Monday 5 February 2018

Moving up in education for my autistic kids

Boy in library

We are in the midst of school visits.  Anthony will soon be leaving primary school and heading to secondary school.  Through school, as a child with autism and ADHD, Anthony has had some support to help him.

Thursday 1 February 2018

Time to Talk with parents of additional needs kids about mental health


It’s easy to think there’s no right place to talk about mental health. But the more we talk about it, the better life is for all of us. Too many people with mental health problems are made to feel isolated, worthless and ashamed. Time to Talk Day is a chance for all of us to be more open about mental health – to talk, to listen, to change lives. 

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