Wednesday 30 November 2016

WonderfulWednesday: No better feeling via H2AU

No better feeling pic

It really is an amazing feeling.  When your child, or anyone you know for that matter even yourself, steps outside their comfort zone. When that person finds change difficult and new things terrifying, it's even more an accomplishment and this is very common for people with autism.  That's why this week, my wonderful Wednesday share is this image from H2AU: the stuff of our life

Tuesday 29 November 2016

Easy bread mix helps kids learn to wait and share


Lots of children with autism find it difficult to wait for things.  Sharing is difficult for many kids, including those with autism or ADHD, because they have to wait for a toy, going on the bus is difficult because they have to wait for their bus. David used to have meltdowns at the bus stop because he didn't understand that we had to wait to for another number bus.  This cooking recipe is easy, fun, helps them learn about waiting and is ideal for this season of  'sharing'.

Sunday 27 November 2016

Spectrum and SEND Sunday #38

Spectrum & SEND Sunday linky

Hello, and welcome back to Spectrum and SEND Sunday #38,  hosted by Danielle over at Someone's Mum and me. This is the place to share your autism, special educational needs and disabilities posts and if you are new to linkies, no worries, you can look at my guide on what they are and what to do.

Wednesday 23 November 2016

WonderfulWednesday: @autisticnw and "What we love most about life"

From Autistic Not Weird

This week's wonderful Wednesday share is a short video from Chris Bonnello at Autistic Not Weird. It's a video of the colour proof of his book - 'What we love most about life' that was on the Autistic Not Weird Facebook page.

Tuesday 22 November 2016

Progress and prosperity


"Progress".... sounds like something out of an election campaign. In fact Al Gore used it in 2000 "Prosperity & Progress".  As good as prosperity is, it's not usually the term I'm listening for when I walk into a meeting at my kids school.  If my kids aren't making progress or progress at the right pace then their education can go back to square one.

Saturday 19 November 2016

Are my 'Children in Need' of someone better?

kids by ruins

There's no denying that being a parent is way more work than you think it's going to be. When the midwife came to see me the day after we took our first child Anthony home she found me still in my pyjamas despite it being nearly noon. Within minutes of her asking how I was I'd burst into tears. Being a mother is overwhelming. Over eight years later we now have two boys with autism and a little girl and I still get that same feeling. Sometimes it's during the simplest of circumstance.

Thursday 17 November 2016

My tips to make shopping easier


That's it.  It's officially less than six weeks until Christmas. I've still got nearly everything to buy. Yes, I'm busy and yes, I do tend to leave things to the last minute.  But the reality is that shopping with my kids and for my kids is difficult.  Surely even the happiest of shoppers have some sort of dread about the idea of dragging kids and family members around ever increasingly busy venues, in the run up to the happiest day of the year? No pressure there then.

Wednesday 16 November 2016

Marc says it's not really about a little blue #CupforBen

sad boy

This morning I wrote my wonderful Wednesday post - that I hope something wonderful comes out of the latest viral social media autism trend - Ben's little blue cup. I'm delighted that Marc, Ben's dad, who started the search for a rare sippy cup for his son replied to my post.

WonderfulWednesday: @GrumpyCarer searches for a sippy cup

Bens blue cup

A fab dad took to social media this week to try and find a replacement little blue cup for his son with autism. Marc Carter's 14 year old son, Ben, has severe autism and will only drink out of a specific sippy cup that is on it's last legs. The cup is no longer made so with the fear that without it, his son will simply stop drinking altogether, Marc asked Twitter for help.  And Twitter responded.

Tuesday 15 November 2016

Christmas Card Deja Vu

surprised woman

Have you ordered Christmas cards yet?  If you are a parent with kids at nursery, pre-school or primary school you may have been sent the latest designs by your kids. Our lot make some terrible cards.  This is the first year I've declined - I simply couldn't bring myself to subject the world to my daughters hilarious Christmas card.

Thursday 10 November 2016

The only one not invited


Guest Post

There was a flutter of excitement in the house when the invitation was posted through the door.

Wednesday 9 November 2016

Monday 7 November 2016

#CapturetheKindness

#CapturetheKindness photo image

I'm delighted to be taking part in the #ClangersforKindness campaign and am giving away two adorable Clangers Rucksacks to the best image in my #CapturetheKindness competition.  A post in the run up to World Kindness Day.

Friday 4 November 2016

Fantastic fireworks painting activity


This is a fantastic fireworks craft activity that helps kids learn about fireworks celebrations and develop their pincer grip whilst having awesome fun.

Thursday 3 November 2016

From cold mother to super parent in less than a life time


Becoming a parent can be easy for some, more difficult for others. Being a parent can be the same. Some take to it like a fish to water and for others it can be a daily struggle.  I've taken to it OK I guess.  I don't know how I would have taken to it without the help I've had though.  This help and the changing attitudes in society has meant I'm no longer the 'cold mother' I would have been called 70 years ago.  These days I'm a 'super parent' and all because my boys have autism.

Wednesday 2 November 2016

Wonderful Wednesday: Ever decided to hold it? #phantomloos

drawing of people needing the loo

Ever looked at a public loo and thought..nah I can hold it? Or perhaps you've tiptoed your way across a rather suspect looking floor? Could you have encountered a #phantomloo? Well, possibly, but whereas you or I could makeshift a set of stepping stones out of the last few paper towels, some of my friends can't. And that's why my wonderful Wednesday share this week is a hashtag - #phantomloos

Tuesday 1 November 2016

Our fireworks DOs and DON'Ts for our autistic kids



Loud noises, bright contrasts, sudden changes of direction and usually lots and lots of people. While being in an unfamiliar place, open to the elements and in the dark. None of this bodes well for our family with autism as we approach fireworks night. Here are our do and don't ideas for coping with anyone who might find them difficult to access as they are scary or overwhelming.

Have a look at our most recent posts:

Follow
@rainbowsaretoo facebook.com/rainbowsaretoobeautiful Ann H on Google + rainbowsaretoo pinterest rainbowsaretoobeautiful bloglovin Instagram rainbowsaretoobeautiful