Some simple sensory activities for autistic kids

Whether you’re raising a child with autism, a family member or friend’s child has autism or you’re starting to provide childcare for someone with autism, you may be wondering what activities you can engage with that help them to enjoy themselves without lending them towards sensory overload. Here’s some information on the subject that can help get this journey started out in the right direction.

Tips for restarting a self-care routine

As a parent and someone who likely has a very busy schedule, I nearly always put my wellness on the backburner lately. If this is your situation then it may be time to re-evaluate and try a new approach.

Tips to help prepare for a camping trip with autistic kids

We've been camping a few times now and we've also tried going away in a motorhome. Camping can be great fun but like everything with autistic kids it always works best with a bit of preparation. 

Our essential travel items for our autistic kids

If you've managed to get your passport renewed then you may be heading away for a summer holiday soon - and we are looking forward to it. Obviously there are all the normal things that we think about a a family travelling with autistic kids. Where we are going, what type of accommodation works for us and so on.   But it's been so long since we went through an airport or stayed in a foreign country I've felt a bit nervous about it.  But there are things we take that make things a bit easier on holidays for us and our autistic kids. 

5 tips for parents of recently diagnosed autistic children

When we were told that our first child was diagnosed with autism, we were handed a small bifold leaflet for the National Autistic Society and another for a local organisation that supported parents of children with disabilities. We were referred to Speech and Language and Occupational Therapy but that took a while to start and I didn't know much about what to do to help our son.  Before the kids were born I had a newborn checklist but there wasn't anything to help with what to do following their autism diagnosis.  Here's what I thought could go on such a list.  

One day son, you will be an autistic adult

All to often, the adults in conversations about autism are parents.  They are the parents of autistic children. Over 70 years ago, these adults were blamed for their children's conditions.  Autism was due to bad parenting.  Recent studies have no called them 'super parents'.  As a parents of autistic children I needed help to understand them and I still need help to work with them and help them engage in the world around them.  But I'm very much aware that one day I will not be the only adult in the conversation in the future.  The other adults will be my children. Because autistic children become autistic adults.

Ideas to help our autistic kids celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

Finally it's the weather for outdoor parties and celebrations - and the Jubilee is right around the corner! Big festivals and street parties are currently not something we could consider going to as there's usually a lot going on and our autistic kids can struggle with this and all the sensory input. So why not take advantage and enjoyed a little autism friendly mini party or festival in your own garden.

The books that helped us as our autistic kids grew up; from pre-school to teenager

I was pretty sure that our eldest was autistic before he was diagnosed. But it was still an odd feeling to hear it confirmed.  The paediatrician seemed to be expecting tears or questions and it made me feel nervous - it made the diagnosis feel like an occasion.

Supporting an autism mum through pregnancy

Being a parent to my autistic and neurotypical kids is definitely the best and hardest thing I have ever done.  They are amazing little people - except for Anthony of course as he's now an amazing tall person since he became a teenager!  I was pregnant with our second son, David, when we were sat in the Paedatrician's office and autism was first mentioned by the professionals.  The Paediatrician said that it was possible that autism was genetic but they don't really know.