Friday 30 December 2016

Baubles & Babbles: Waiting


Waiting. Bless my kids, waiting is not one of their talents, but thankfully I've learned that my ability to wait is a virtue when it comes to my boys communicating.

Tuesday 27 December 2016

Baubles & Babbles: Modelling Communication


Today's baubles and babbles post is about modelling communication. David's default communication method is Makaton. But that means it's my default when talking to him and sometimes when talking to the other kids too. If he's going to use his Makaton he has to know how. I wouldn't expect Jane our two year old to speak if I never spoke to her - same for David and his signing.

Friday 23 December 2016

Baubles & Babbles: Festive vocabularly


Welcome to my Baubles and Babbles, my notes on helping my family communicate over Christmas. Our first post is about using a broad but appropriate vocabulary.

Wednesday 21 December 2016

WonderfulWednesday: Welcoming an autistic guest at Christmas by @mumsomeone


This week's wonderful Wednesday share is from my #SpectrumSunday co-host, Danielle at Someone's Mum.  She's written this really helpful post about helping autistic children during Christmas.

Tuesday 20 December 2016

Construction play with Airfix #Quickbuild (review)

Airfix QuickBuild Hawk and Lamborghini

Construction play can be great for so many areas of kids development.  From motor skills to communication, imagination and care.  Both our boys love models but don't have the skills, patience or understanding really to do most model kits.  So I was interested when given the opportunity to review some new kits from AirFix that require no glue, paint etc, just putting easy to put together models - introducing the AirFix Quick Build Lamborghini and Hawk.

Monday 19 December 2016

My autistic son and the Christmas Tree upset

A real Christmas Tree

It's a fine line between enabling our autistic kids to enjoy different things and not making a change that causes stress and anxiety. This year we didn't put up the fake tree we've had since we first had the kids over nine years ago.  Instead I had a heart-breaking and the heart-warming experience that came with getting our first real Christmas Tree.

Friday 16 December 2016

5 Minute Fun for kids review


It seems like I'm always on the go.  When you've three kids at different schools and the myriad of appointments that comes with additional needs, there seems little time for anything.  Sometimes I think, can I just have five to...put away clothes...go the the loo...sort out the other kids.... anything! So when I was contacted by 5 Minute Fun who asked me to try out an activity on their site, I thought it would be a good idea.  Plus, I like evaluating activities for their potential to help my kids.

Wednesday 14 December 2016

Monday 12 December 2016

A year later, autism is still like the courtesy car

child in toy car

A year ago I wrote about how autism was like a courtesy car. How my life didn't seem to fit into a different smaller vehicle. How I struggled to operate the controls and how it didn't drive the way I expected. This year I went to the same garage, got another different courtesy car and had a whole new realisation about how far we've come.

Thursday 8 December 2016

A terrifying reminder that all my children are vulnerable

Holding a child's hand

I used to think some of the parents collecting their kids from the school were insane. They'd be stood chatting away with a selection of small children milling and running around them. What are they doing? The road is right there, I thought.

Wednesday 7 December 2016

WonderfulWednesday: An autism parent fell into a hole

An autism parent fell into hole

Ah, I do feel like I've fallen into a hole sometimes, more often than I'd like actually. That's why this week's wonderful Wednesday share is the above that I found via Special Parents Handbook on Facebook.

Tuesday 6 December 2016

When David missed out on his Christmas show

David near school

David wasn't in last year's Christmas show. I didn't think twice about it.  This year I got a call to say, he could be in the Christmas sing along.  I'd like to say it went well. But all I can say right now is I'm watching tears drip into my Costa coffee.

Monday 5 December 2016

Keynote exert: As a SEND parent

Ann Hickman speech

At the end of November I gave a keynote speech to Special Education Needs and Disabilities professionals in London.  Here I'm sharing exerts from the speech on what do we as SEND parents want? Today, I share part of the setting I gave in my speech.. being a SEND parent. I'd love your comments on what you'd share about being a parent.

Friday 2 December 2016

Madeupmilestones: Upside Mum and the school show

madeupmilestones picture

I'm proud of so many of my kids achievements.  My boys often don't hit the same milestones as listed in the 'little red book' milestone chart and I've learned that creating our own milestone charts celebrating their own achievements is more valuable to me.  This series celebrates the #madeupmilestones of those we care about.  This month it's from Upside Mum who shares a moment at a school show, something many of us may face at this time of year.

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