Taking our autistic kids on long journeys

It's half term and, in the chaos that is my after school pick up routine, there were lots of cars loaded ready to go on a short staycation visit.  Some families are taking advantage of their ability to go away while they have the chance at the moment.  Our kids are used to going on long road journeys in the UK - my folks live on the north coast of Scotland - literally the other end of the country.  They are happy with driving and flying and all else involved like getting through the airport. But not all kids travel well, and if it's something new then some autistic kids like mine can need some extra support. 

Remembering the good things about our schools

My kids go to three different primary and secondary schools, I work at another and a at college too.  Usually my posts about schools are how we are coping getting our kids with additional needs the support they need.  There seems to be plenty to be concerned about, and rightly so - our schools are vital, our kids education important.  Schools have a lot to deal with at the moment.  

Looking out for my kids on World Mental Health Day

I heard on the news the other day that there had been a reduction in the referrals to mental health services since the pandemic.  I don't know about everyone else, but it seems to me that we need these services now as much as ever.. if not more.  Things have been different, and change can create a lot of uncertainty and anxiety and many people have been coping with a lot more. 

Looking for a new school for a child with SEND during the pandemic

David is coming up to his secondary transfer.  In our area, we have to think about secondary school decisions for our children with special educational needs or disabilities up to two years before they'd start there.  Finding the right school is often very challenging but it's even more so like this.

Why we are counting down to Strictly

Last year was the first one in years that we watched Strictly Come Dancing properly. I watched a few series but there's so much on TV nowadays and we honestly usually only make time to watch sports live.  That was until last year, and it's meant the family are really looking forward to whatever form of Strictly takes as makes it on to our TV in a months time.

Getting others on board with diagnoses, medication or therapies

As a parent of kids with special educational needs the world can sometimes seem a lonely place.  We rely on those close to us.  The friends I often make are parents who also have additional needs kids.  This makes sense really as I have most things in common with them.  We have a little community.  

But sometimes the extended family, teachers or friends can have misconceptions about certain diagnoses, medications or therapies.   This can make decisions about how to help kids even harder. 

SEND and SpectrumSunday 93

By tomorrow all my kids will be back at their various schools and educational settings. Still I wonder when things will seem a bit more 'normal' at least a bit more like what we were used to anyway.  

When you are a Power Ranger

You come across all sorts of awareness days when you've got kids with additional needs. I didn't think Power Rangers Day would be top of my list, but then I didn't know many years ago that I'd have such amazing kids, some of whom happen to be autistic. 

Coral reef motor skills and learning craft

Although the beach can be a challenge for us - it can also be great.  Quieter beaches are better and these can often be rocky.  So we use what we have and have spent many summers up at my parents place on the North Coast of Scotland, stomping around the rocks finding creatures in the shallow waters.   We weren't sure if we would make it there this year but managed to see them for a week as the lockdown rules relaxed.