Next steps in education for my autistic teenager

I can't believe my eldest son is at the point of choosing his Yr 10-11 options. It really doesn't seem that long ago since we was diagnosed with ASD at four years old.   It's even stranger to hear him talk about things like what he'll do after school or if he'll go to college.  I'm delighted he's thinking about this but like everything with our kids I'm already thinking about how to prepare him.

Helping us to stay healthy in 2022

Looking out for our physical and mental health is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves and our kids.  After I had kids I often found my niggles, ailments and mental health took a back seat but I've come to realise that the best way to look after them is to also look after myself.  My husband is really good at working out and being good with his diet but I often struggle with motivation, energy and time.   I want to do better this year... if I can. 

Make a recycled pearl of wisdom craft to support our kids in 2022

It's been another strange year for our kids.  Things have been constantly changing and we've not been able to do things like we would usually.  We haven't met up with family as much, school has been different, places have been closed to name just a few.  Sometimes it can be overwhelming and having one thing to think about or to focus on, a 'pearl of wisdom' can help. 

Last minute Christmas gifts for our sensory autistic kids

I find buying things for my autistic kids quite challenging at the best of times. Family are always asking what they can get for gifts and it's hard Anthony often has limited interests and is shy about expressing an opinion (in case it's wrong) and David... well David's communication is very limited.  But they are both sensory kids, so what kind of things have I got on my last minute shopping list for the kids? 

Helping our autistic kids get ready for Christmas

Christmas brings with it many changes.  Despite being a very exciting time of year the upheaval and appearances around the home can cause some stress.  We prepare our autistic and neurotypical kids get ready by writing Christmas cards, making timetables and preparing the home all before this happens.

10 things I'm trying to teach my autistic teenager

There's been a lot of focus on schools and qualifications for teenagers over the last few years - and rightly so.  But being a teenagers can mean learning a lot more than just academics.  Life skills aren't included when you get them help with tutoring for physics and maths online, but for many kids this is the time they need to learn about the life skills they will need to become as independent as possible.  For some it will be learning about budgeting and time keeping for others this might be being able to make a meal or get dressed independently.  

Song and sign is an open door

We've watched Strictly Come Dancing properly for the past three years. I watched a few series when it first started years ago but there's so much on TV nowadays and we honestly usually only make time to watch sports live.  That was until two years ago when our autistic and neurotypical family found it help us to connect with each other.  And this years moment came last night with Rose and Giovanni. 

Adapting to winter clothes

Half-term is over, and the darkness is here with the inevitable drop in temperatures.  It's time for the winter wardrobe.

What I've learned from working in different schools and at different levels

I started teaching in Higher Education when our first son was about a year old.  I was a marketing professional that went back to the agency i worked at part-time - two days a week.  There was a recession at the time and the client base was shrinking so I started to look at other work and came across a college looking for a marketing professional turned teacher.