My CarersWeek 2019

This week is Carers Week for 2019.  My week will like many others, full of highs and lows, based mostly on the highs and lows of my kids.  I have three kids and although I'm 'mum' to all three, I'm also a parent carer to my sons Anthony, age 11 and David, age eight.

Taking our autistic kids to a wedding

Some friends of ours are getting married soon.  I'm so pleased for them.  Unfortunately we couldn't attend the wedding due to other commitments, but if we were going there's always the question... do we take the kids?  Some invites are pretty clear if kiddies are included, some couples have children of their own that are going too.  But weddings are big things and this can be challenging for autistic kids like ours.

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The sun finally arrived today at the end of half term.  My eldest is off on his school residential trip this week. I'm terrified.  Please come distract me -  share your SEND & autism posts with me here on our SEND and Spectrum Sunday linky.  Anything about autism, mental health, education and anything related to autism and special educational needs and disabilities parenting is welcome.

When his sister cries, and what my autistic son did

David's world is mostly centred around David. It's the same for most kids when they are younger. Their primary concern is around themselves and what they need and want. As David's sister has grown, she's learned that taking into account what David needs is important for the family.

Using technology to help as my kids grow-up

My eldest son just finished his SATS.  It's the start of measuring him.. testing to see what he has learned and retained in core subjects.  I'm also spending time at the moment invigilating GCSEs at one of my local secondary schools. These tests could help the young adults sitting them get into college, university or get a job.  Thinking about that and what my kids might do is a bit scary.

Looking out for the mental well-being of my kids

"I didn't have a good day today."

"Oh dear Jane, what happened?" I asked sincerely whilst being aware that we should already be in the bath. Bathing with our six year old daughter is as much a practical as bonding thing in our house.  We've three kids so it's any easy way to save the water and all that.  I also find it's a time without TV,  iPads, toys etc and we can actually chat.

To my autistic son as he begins his SATS

My 10 year old autistic son goes to a mainstream primary school. He is unlikely to spend all his education in mainstream as he struggles with the environment and language demands of large classes. But his school have done the best they can for him and this week he sits his SATS.  Like everyone else is his year he received this note from his Year 6 teachers - I'd love to share it with you.

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It's been a busy month of school breaks - whatever you have been up to, I’d love to hear about it. Come share your SEND & autism posts with me here on our SEND and Spectrum Sunday (or in this case Monday) linky - the place you can share and find blog posts about autism, mental health, education and anything related to autism and special educational needs and disabilities parenting.  

Marking the end of AutismAwareness month with our top posts

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 blog.