Designing a new bedroom for my autistic kids

None of our children sleep great. Estimates say between 50% and 90% of autistic people have some sleeping difficulties, whether that's going to sleep, staying asleep or sleeping at the wrong time - and that's just when things are normal.  And sleep is just one function of a bedroom. When it comes to our autistic kids there's lots to think about. 

Our young carer for Carers Week

About once a week Jane is late for school. To be honest our time is in the morning are quite tight anyway and it’s always a chance that something might happen on our way to school but could make us late. But in most circumstances the truth is that Jane is late to school because she is a young carer.

As my autistic son becomes a teenager

By the end of this week there will be an official teenager in the house.  Although it seems rather bizarre that I can have a child who is now legally old enough to get a part-time job.  Though let's be honest, I can barely get Anthony to empty the dishwasher and take the bins out - activities that he relies on to get his allocated screen time allowance.  His chances of taking up work are extremely slim I'd say. 

Trying to get my autistic kids to eat better

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 a healthier diet even if it's in the same things they eat over and over again.  If you are in the same boat, here's some of the ideas we have tried.

Helping our autistic son figure out what is real

We were so pleased when Anthony started using his imagination. Many children with autism struggle to use their imagination, at least in the traditional sense.  So when Anthony started Tree Fu Tom, Ironman and then Anakin Skywalker we encouraged it.  He can even go crazy and though he's close to teenage years can make a pretty good impression of Godzilla from the lastest Godzilla Vs Kong movie too.  Obviously this isn't real, but it's often still difficult for Anthony to know what could be real from a movie. 

Finding a school for a SEND child

David is approaching his secondary transition.  For those whose kids are starting on their educational journey, secondary transition is the move from primary to secondary school. It's not going to be easy.  David is a child with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and needs a whole host of support in order to access education.  

Easter break activities and games for my kids at home

It's the last week of Easter Break and despite the weather trying to convince us otherwise, it's spring at last.  So what can we do to keep our kids busy at home for the last week of the Easter holidays?

Highlights for World Autism Awareness Day

It's World Autism Awareness Day.  Along with millions of people worldwide, I am, always, hopeful that today (and the awareness week and month) will help highlight what autism is and is not and how fabulous people with autism (like two of my kids) are along with 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 four autism awareness posts from my over the last year sharing all sorts about autism in our lives and over the last year. 

Supporting my kids learning now they are back at school

It's so good to have the kids back at school.  I know that being able to send my autistic kids to school for at least some of the time during lockdown was important for them (and us), but it's so good for them all to be back.  My daughter has always been a quick learner and enjoys this part of being back at school.  Like many she's missed friends, but has then also struggled with getting on with peers again.  Even though they are all back to learning at school, we can still support them at home with this - especially if they've fallen behind when they could be.