Why my son's ADHD meds are important during the lockdown

When Anthony was seven years old we asked for him to assessed for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) because despite all the help he was getting he could not settle or concentrate in class. Six months later he started a controlled stimulant drug to help him concentrate at school. Three years later he has it all the time... even though he's not at school because of the lockdown, it's just as important that he takes it. Here's why.

What to do with the worries we can't do anything about

I know there are many people with worries at the moment.  Our son Anthony is autistic and has ADHD and struggles with lots of things.  He suffers from anxiety.  I have my own difficulties in 'letting things go'.  It leads to further issues with sleep in our home and can have a general affect on how the boys cope daily.  They have less resilience and this puts us at greater risk of mental health issues, especially now.

SEND and SpectrumSunday Lockdown linky 2

It's so many weeks into the lockdown?  How are you doing? I've been meaning to write a post about how difficult this time is for parents of SEND kids but I've just not managed it. If it's not simple at the moment, I can't fit it in.  

Talking about additional needs kids

We've been using a lot of Makaton at home over the lockdown. Makaton is a simple and unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate. We've been using it since before our first son was diagnosed with autism.

Top AutismAwareness posts to mark the end of Autism Awareness Month

It's the end of World Autism Awareness Month.  Along with millions of people worldwide, I am, always, hopeful that the week will help highlight what autism is and is not and how fabulous people with autism (like two of my kids) are and also how challenging life can be for them and those who care for them sometimes.   The hope is that awareness leads to acceptance - that's the real goal. So here's my top five autism awareness posts from my over the last year.

Keeping up with my kids as they spend more time online during the lockdown

With more families spending time at home, kids and families are finding more to do online. There has been a boost in Zoom and Tiktok to keep in touch with each other and a whole host of new idea such as Esports on Twitch to replace the real sports that just can't take place.  We've loved using some of these.  But being online for my little girl and my older kids with additional needs poses challenges.

Helping get our kids out into the garden

All the kids use the garden all year round, but right now it's more important than ever.  We are so fortunate to have this space while the country is on lockdown, but it's not always easy for our family to get out into it.  Autistic and many other kids can need to regulate their sensory systems - how their body reacts to the world around them.  And the garden has to help them with this.

Easter activities for my kids at home

It's almost Easter and we might not be able to do the same things we usually do.  Those of us who may go to Church probably can't and there will be no big family gatherings.  We're not even meant to go out to get things like Easter Eggs or other special items so what are we doing with the kids this Easter?

To those flouting the rules during the coronavirus pandemic from a mum with autistic kids

We all know the rules. Just ask my 11 year old autistic son. He loves rules. Rules keep his life in order. Rules keep the world safe; rules keep him safe.  When people don't follow the rules, he worries.  But it's not because of his feelings that I'm asking you to stay home, it's because of our lives.