Tuesday 30 May 2017

The importance of our south-west London autism diagnosis

Two boys on a hill

It appears we are some of the lucky ones. We live in south-west London and our boys were both diagnosed with ASD by the time they were four years old.  They have both received appropriate support from services, organisations and in their different school settings.

Monday 29 May 2017

Motor skills and imagination development using stamp sets from Magic Fairy Wings

Jane making pictures with stamps

It's not uncommon for some kids to have delayed fine and gross motor skills.  When you find things like doing up buttons, picking up objects and holding a pencil difficult this can have an impact on lots of other development areas.  Both our autistic kids find it difficult to hold a pencil making things like writing and drawing hard.  

Thursday 25 May 2017

Forest phonics fun in Bushy Park

Jane pointing to animals on a sign

I can't really believe Jane will be starting school in September. But there is no doubt she is ready for it. Perhaps having two older brothers has encouraged her but there is no doubt she is a girl that enjoys learning.  In a way she is always being taught to.  Her brother, David, is autistic and pre-verbal so we spend time shaping sounds and now looking at letters.  When Jane and I were walking around Bushy Park this week, she found a 'stick letter'.  And then had fun looking for letters and sounds as an impromtu activity that you can try too.

Wednesday 24 May 2017

WonderfulWednesday: PDA Awareness Day

PanDA

This month's wonderful Wednesday post highlights the great awareness being raised by bloggers last week on PDA, a type of autism.

Tuesday 23 May 2017

Three well-thumbed books with autistic characters

Book Sherlock Holmes on table

Whereas some people wonder if Sherlock Holmes had Asperger's Syndrome, it's difficult to tell if this fictional character was designed on the autistic spectrum.  However, there are some absolutely brilliant novels which are, in my opinion, better for their autistic adult characters.  Even though I tend not to re-read books, mostly due to time, I find myself thumbing through for favourite scenes.  I've read lots with autistic children but I wonder about adulthood too.  I know few autistic adults and in some ways, though glamourised by text, these books give me some insight. Here's three of my well-thumbed ones that you may enjoy and learn a little from too.

Friday 19 May 2017

There's so much to know with NCC

Growing flowers and book

Did you get any of those 'how to be a parent' books before you had kids or when you were pregnant? I didn't.

Wednesday 17 May 2017

When growing independence is frightening

Waffles for breakfast

Have you seen Rain Man?  If not you should.  There was a scene in it where Raymond, an adult with autism,  tries to cook frozen waffles in a toaster.  It all goes wrong, smoke pours out of appliance and the smoke alarm goes off.  His brother, played by Tom Cruise, comes rushing in, smashes the alarm off the ceiling and sorts out the smoking toaster. Raymond isn't safe to be by himself.  He was just trying to do was make himself breakfast,  but he is not independent.  He needs support, even to make breakfast.  And so does my son.

Monday 15 May 2017

The reality and the ridiculous

Jane checks the flowers

Honestly, I don't know what we'd do without the trampoline in the garden and the trees to climb. In the winter I really miss being able to watch the kids throw themselves about in a fit of giggles (them... and me actually).  During the weekends we try and get outside to enjoy the space.  Now the evenings are lighter and warmer so begins the ritual of throwing them out the back door to play, and sometimes joining in.

Sunday 14 May 2017

Spectrum & SEND Sunday #48

Spectrum and SEND Sunday #48

Welcome back for Spectrum and SEND Sunday #48, the place where sharing your autism, special educational needs and disabilities, mental health posts is the thing to do. Easter and bank holidays have extended some our linkies of late but hopefully we are now back on track.. at least for a bit anyway.

Thursday 11 May 2017

MadeUpMilestones: On stage with @stephstwogirls

Sasha from Stephs Two Girls

I love it when the middle of the month comes around and I get to share another special step in the lives of another young person and their family.  This month it's one of my dearest blogging buddies, Steph, from Stephs Two Girls, sharing her #madeupmilestone about Sasha, ASD and a band.

Wednesday 10 May 2017

WonderfulWednesday: @SingingHands hit pop songs DVD

Jane dances in the lights

We have been big fans of Singing Hands for.. well years really. Singing Hands run a range of baby signing classes, toddler signing classes, resources, educational concerts and work in schools, nurseries and more. This week's wonderful Wednesday share is about one of their new fantastic projects that could get you dancing about.

Monday 8 May 2017

Thoughts on our happiness

David enjoying the grass

I tend to consider the realities of headlines. 'Pushy-parents' and 'Super-parents' both headlined in the news in the last year around special educational needs.  Both terms are prime examples of how carefully I consider what's really being reported.  So when I saw a recent set of headlines about how our children are now to have 'happiness classes', I naturally raised an eyebrow before reading.

Thursday 4 May 2017

Using the kids iPads to play with them with augmented reality flashcard

Parent in iPad

Kids addicted to their iPads? Don't get me wrong, the tablets in our home are used for far more than just zoning out to repeated episodes of Peppa Pig. In fact, Peppa features relatively infrequently. David has autism and he uses his iPad as a way of learning new skills, understanding and coping with the world. What I can find disappointing is there is no way for me to interact with him on the device. But I've recently found a way, through iPad enabled flash cards.

Wednesday 3 May 2017

WonderfulWednesday: UndiagnosedDay

child with magnifying glass

This week's wonderful Wednesday share is a shout out to a few people raising awareness of those undiagnosed. Last Friday was Undiagnosed Day.

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