Monday 28 March 2016
Easter Break: Via Facebook & Twitter
Friday 25 March 2016
Favourite Friday: Getting into the Television
Of course, she was talking about Sven from Disney's Frozen. By the time I'd figured out what she was saying, the gentleman was a bit far away to say hello, so we talked for a moment how we might see him again another day. I also made a mental note to talk again to Jane, who is nearly three years old, about not talking to strangers without mummy or daddy.
Then, Jane announced that she had an idea. She'd figured out how we could see 'Sven' again. "You need to get some scissors and cut a hole in the television." Ahhh.. yes, that way we can get into Frozen. Read the rest of the post here
Thursday 24 March 2016
Appreciating the talents of others?
We were nearly late getting Anthony to school a few days ago. As we arrived I had him set up for the idea that he would probably be going straight through to assembly. When I collected Anthony at the end of the day, he gladly let me know that I had been wrong and there hadn't been an assembly at school that day. I suddenly thought that perhaps this had something to do with an Easter Parade, but as Anthony was not forthcoming with information I let the questioning slide.
Links
Our blog - Mysteries of memories
Our blog - showing pride in others in Never prouder of last place
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Wednesday 23 March 2016
#WonderfulWednesday: The A Word
Links
Our blog - Comments from Steve Silberman on 'autisms'
Our blog - Without an ASD diagnosis, we would not...
BBC iPlayer - The A Word
Tuesday 22 March 2016
The slightest change is difficult
Monday 21 March 2016
It's time to tell him
Anthony is crushing his forehead with his hands. He's making a haunting noise that's a cross between a scream and a growl. And then he said, "Please, kill me, then make me again with a brain that works properly."
Sometimes I wonder if our son is aware of his difficulties. Anthony has autism, ADHD and a bit of hypermobility and anxiety thrown in for good measure. He knows some things, like he finds it difficult to sit still and has someone help him at the school. But this was the first time I've been stopped in my tracks by his awareness.
Can you imagine?
I felt my heart thump in my chest, like a booming base drum. Where was the next beat...?. The world suddenly seemed in slow motion. I felt my eyes widen and glisten as my stomach shivered. Then I couldn't tell where my failing heart ended and my stomach started. Oh son. On the outside I held it together, inside I was a mess.
You see, Anthony's brain works differently as part of his autism. He processes everything differently. Sometimes this makes things more challenging and sometimes he sees things in a wonderful way that no one else does. Anthony has also been diagnosed with ADHD. This is an added complication. Not only does his mind work differently, but then he also loses focus, making some tasks even more challenging.
Anthony knows he can copy sums. He knows he can work out the answers. He's learned to overcome difficulties with sensory input and seeing things differently.... and then his mind fails him again with concentration. Please, give my kid a break, I thought.
We've always been in agreement that Anthony should know about his autism, ADHD etc when it seems right. And we are now on the edge of labelling Anthony's conditions for him. He knows he has hypermobility. When the physiotherapist gave him exercises to do it made sense to tell him. He says his knees are being silly. Perhaps it's no surprise that he thinks his brain is malfunctioning and being 'naughty'. He has commented before that his brain is not doing as he asks.
I know we'll highlight all the good things about him. It's not going to be a brand new thing, we've been drip feeding him the idea for a while. But I'm still extremely nervous. I feel that thump... thump in my chest again just thinking about it. Anthony's unexpected outburst means it's time for us to do what we've been expecting. However he reacts, we'll be there to support him. But it is time to tell him. It's time he had the opportunity to understand himself.
Thursday 17 March 2016
Favourite Friday: Autistic Anthony is always to blame
On 'Favourite Fridays', Rainbowsaretoobeautiful publishes its most popular post from the previous week. If you missed it, then here's your chance to catch up. See all our Favourite posts here
Shoes... in the laundry?
David is five years old and attends a specialist autism education unit. Being five and having ASD means school activities are still based around play and developing the senses. The other day, I was met by David being carried by his key worker at the gate of the school.
Wednesday 16 March 2016
#WonderfulWednesday: The one with the A word
It's a common thing to post about, but I'm sharing it for two reasons. Firstly, it caught my attention because it's less than a week until BBC's 'The A Word' comes out. We have known both our boys are autistic since before they were four years old but it won't be long until at least one of them is also aware of the A word too. Secondly, and more importantly, there's nothing like this on my blog.
I started blogging quite a few years after our kids diagnoses. I'd come to terms with their condition and most of my blogging is about overcoming challenges, things that help and heart felt achievements. This post from 'Random Thoughts from a Random Woman' gives a lovely example of what that first period after an autism diagnosis can be like. Every parent and person feels differently about the diagnosis. Some parents and people may have fought for a diagnosis, waiting months in some cases. Others are scared of it. Either way, being nervous about it all is completely normal.
We have found having a diagnosis for our kids is very beneficial. We've been better able to access services for example. Our boys aren't any different because of the diagnosis. Indeed, most of all it has helped us understand them and soon it may help them understand themselves.
Links
Our blog - Without an ASD diagnosis we would not...
Our blog - What is there had been an autism screening? Would I still have had my kids?
Our blog - How autism is like the new courtesy car
Tuesday 15 March 2016
Dry Sensory Easter Rabbit Craft Activity
Some kids with autism can be sensitive to wet textures or not like mixing dry and wet textures together but still enjoy being creative. We had great fun with this craft activity at a local group, Me Too & Co, which supports children with additional needs and their siblings.
Dry Sensory Easter Rabbit
Apart from cutting out rabbit shapes from coloured paper this activity is easy to set up. Choose some different dry textures in bowls, add glue sticks and pens and let your kids have fun. At Me Too & Co they had:- Different coloured felt shapes including ovals, rectangles, squares and triangles
- Cotton wool pleats
- Little pom pom balls
- Feathers and
- Tissue string.
Encouraging fine motor stills
Encouraging Labelling
You can also label using makaton, have a look at the Makaton #wetalkmakaton sign of week for helpful ideas.
Monday 14 March 2016
Getting into the television
Of course, she was talking about Sven from Disney's Frozen. By the time I'd figured out what she was saying, the gentleman was a bit far away to say hello, so we talked for a moment how we might see him again another day. I also made a mental note to talk again to Jane, who is nearly three years old, about not talking to strangers without mummy or daddy.
Then, Jane announced that she had an idea. She'd figured out how we could see 'Sven' again. "You need to get some scissors and cut a hole in the television." Ahhh.. yes, that way we can get into Frozen.
Jane and I laughed loudly for a few minutes while I talked about how we can't cut a hole in the television.
Wouldn't that be silly, clever idea, but a bit silly.
Kids are going to lose themselves in virtual reality when it comes out. However, the event also reminded me of the literal thinking her brother showed in a similar circumstance.
Anthony is an eight year old boy with autism. Like many autistic children he uses television and books to help him with his imagination. He was reading a book from school about a magical adventure. Often if Anthony is reading a book that sparks interest we will try and find a way to allow him to experience this. For example, in one story the children were transported back in time to the Blitz. We took Anthony to the Imperial War museum to see what life was like during the war.
However, this magical adventure was a bit too far for us to 'visit'. Anthony had mentioned the trip to the museum to his teachers and they had suggested he imagine being in the new magical story. So at bedtime whilst reading his book, Anthony asked me, "But mum, how do I get into the story."
I looked closely at him and realised he wasn't just looking closely at his book, he was physically pushing his cheek into the page. Next he got out of bed and put it onto the floor to jump into the pages 'Mary Poppins into a chalk pavement picture' style. Like many autistic people, he has had difficulty with communication and realising the real value or meaning of some phrases and questions.
It was adorable of course. Then we talked about the real meaning of 'getting into the story' and he is now pretty good at using his imagination this way.
As for Jane, well, we are hoping to visit one of the Disney theme parks at Easter. This will surely blow her mind.
Links
Our blog - Beautiful Belle has a point about books
Our blog - Rocky reality: Autism and imagination
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Friday 11 March 2016
Favourite Friday: To the boy who showed interest in my son's special interest
You wrote him a short note saying you thought karting sounded interesting and could he tell you about it. All we can say is thank you. Thank you for giving Anthony the opportunity to write. Thank you for providing him with motivation. Thank you for allowing him to show what he knows. Thank you for giving him confidence in himself. Thank you for showing him someone cares about what he thinks.
As a boy with autism, Anthony's interests tend to be very focused and he has difficulty engaging in conversations or meaningful tasks not associated with what he's interested in. Some people with autism can turn their special interest into an advantage, such as a career, valuable hobby or a way of relaxing. Anthony reveals in talking about and doing anything to do with his current special interest, motor racing. But what happened when one boy took an interest in Anthony's topic, was, to us, amazing.
Read more here
On 'Favourite Fridays', Rainbowsaretoobeautiful will publish the most popular post from the previous week. If you missed it, then here's your chance to catch up. See all our Favourite Friday's posts here .
Thursday 10 March 2016
Mysteries of memories
This post has been updated - click here to read more.
Wednesday 9 March 2016
#WonderfulWednesday: Was I right to tell off someone else's child?
Our blog - Autistic Anthony's easy to blame
Tuesday 8 March 2016
Sensory Banana Flapjack recipe
Monday 7 March 2016
Autistic Anthony's always to blame, problems on the school run
"Stop at the road"
Friday 4 March 2016
Favourite Friday: Dear Health Minister, Please I don't want to lose my son
It smacked me on the face when I was listening to Radio 5 Live on Monday. I was listening to a mother who is desperate to be part of the team that looks after her son with learning disabilities. Despite her borough doing everything it can, there is a shortage of facilities and services so her son is miles away in a care facility. A facility that she has since discovered has abused him.
As I'm listening I feel my body temperature rise and it's as if my palms have been instantly covered in sweat. Please, don't let this be the future for my son. Read the rest of this story on the original post.
On 'Favourite Fridays', Rainbowsaretoobeautiful publishes its most popular post from the previous week. If you missed it, then here's your chance to catch up.
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Thursday 3 March 2016
To a Special Mum
Wednesday 2 March 2016
#WonderfulWednesday: Different stories
Tuesday 1 March 2016
To the boy who showed interest in my son's special interest
You wrote him a short note saying you thought karting sounded interesting and could he tell you about it. All we can say is thank you. Thank you for giving Anthony the opportunity to write. Thank you for providing him with motivation. Thank you for allowing him to show what he knows. Thank you for giving him confidence in himself. Thank you for showing him someone cares about what he thinks.
Have a look at our most recent posts:
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