Coping with a change in his special interest

Our son has had a special interest in cars and racing since he was about seven years old.  It's really common for children with autism or ADHD to have something they are 'super in to'.  Being very interested in a subject provides Anthony with lots of joy and in some cases it provides comfort in being able to talk about something familiar.  Knowing lots about something takes away fear I suppose. 

The impact of a shortage of ADHD meds

When Anthony was seven years old we asked for him to assessed for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) because despite all the help he was getting he could not settle or concentrate in class. Six months later he started a controlled stimulant drug to help him concentrate at school.   For the next five years Anthony had them everyday, not just when he was at school because without them he would fall apart.  ADHD meds have been in short supply recently and are not always thought of as being important, but to Anthony they were about his survival. 

Taking an online 'ADHD' test

Every now and again, there is a test published to help the reader see if they might be on the autism spectrum.  Often they coincide with an article on the subject.  Last year published research showed that parents of autistic kids often have autistic traits too.  Most times that I see a test like the one in The Telegraph online but I've also seen a few for ADHD recently too, and yesterday I filled one out. 

Designing a new bedroom for my autistic kids

None of our children sleep great. Estimates say between 50% and 90% of autistic people have some sleeping difficulties, whether that's going to sleep, staying asleep or sleeping at the wrong time - and that's just when things are normal.  And sleep is just one function of a bedroom. When it comes to our autistic kids there's lots to think about. 

Looking back over 2020 with our autistic, ADHD and neurotypical family

Usually at this time, I'd scan through my blog and pick and best posts over the last year.  Previously it has including how we helped our amazing son zip line not only in the forests of Maui but across the Canadian Rockies and the moment when for the first time in his life, our son didn't cry about going back to school. But it's not really been one of those years has it?  

Why my son's ADHD meds are important during the lockdown

When Anthony was seven years old we asked for him to assessed for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) because despite all the help he was getting he could not settle or concentrate in class. Six months later he started a controlled stimulant drug to help him concentrate at school. Three years later he has it all the time... even though he's not at school because of the lockdown, it's just as important that he takes it. Here's why.

Our TV viewers have turned to Twitch during the coronavirus lockdown

Formula One means so much to my son, it's hard to describe.  When he heard that the Formula One races had been cancelled due to the Coronavirus he honestly cried for an hour, under his covers, telling people to go away and leave him alone.

Even his phone fell silent

Our eleven year old son with ASD is always on maximum volume. His whole being is set up to move about and make noise. He is constantly balancing his sensory system and it's just part of ADHD to move around constantly even on his meds. His diagnoses means he also has difficulty focussing, listening to instructions and remaining on task. But on Remembrance Sunday this year he once again was completely silent - and even put down his mobile phone.

Using mindfulness and relaxation techniques to help our kids to sleep

Sleep is extremely precious in our household. Estimates say between 50% and 90% of autistic people have some sleeping difficulties, whether that's falling asleep, staying asleep or sleeping at the wrong time. Two out of our three kids are autistic and have a variety of associated challenges, including sleeping difficulties.  One of our kids has even been to the sleep neurology team at Evelina's Children's hospital to try and help.

Helping my autistic kids to become organised

My kids struggle with organisation.  It's a challenge for many kids and can especially difficult for those like our son, Anthony, with autism and ADHD or other special educational needs.  Whilst it's easy to get into the routine of doing everything for them, helping them build independence is equally important.

An inspiring character for our autistic son

This #worldbookday, Anthony's school were focusing on 'inspiring characters'. Marvellous, I not only have to think of something my autistic son will dress up as but it now had to be a character that's also inspiring?

J.R.R. Tolkien and our ADHD son

I love the Hobbit.  First time I read it I was nine years old.  It inspired most of my reading.  I loved many things about it. The battle of good and evil, the adventure, the underdog finding themselves.  Anthony turned 10 last year and he's no where near reading such a book.  When he watched Lord of the Rings over Christmas, I understood a bit more about why.

When our autistic son is sick

Thankfully our kids aren't often ill. Looking after little ones when they are a bit poorly is typical mother work and it's not that different when they are on the autistic spectrum, it's just sometimes a bit come complicated.

14 weeks till Christmas: The challenges of my ADHD son using his learned knowledge

Anthony is great at his times tables. He learned them by rote. A very popular learning method for many. Sometimes it takes a moment as he rattles through them in his head, but he always gets them right.  So if he knows it's 14 weeks until Christmas, why can't he tell me how many days it is?

Helping my son to focus on what he is doing

There is sometimes a misconception that kids with ADHD can't focus on anything.  With our lad at least, this isn't always the case. Anthony can actually super focus on some things of his choosing. Often his biggest challenge is being able to focus on the task at hand, on what he should be doing especially if it's something he's not interested in.

Why my son still takes his ADHD medication during school holidays

When Anthony was seven years old we asked for him to assessed for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) because despite all the help he was getting he could not settle or concentrate in class. Six months later he started a controlled stimulant drug to help him concentrate at school. Three years later he has it all the time... even in the school holidays.  Here's why.

Organising space for my kids to do their homework

Having a place set for homework is really important to help our autistic and ADHD kids focus.  Some kids and young people need quiet blank rooms and others need the stimulation to focus. As always, go with what works for your kid.

Diet ideas for increasing dopamine or serotonin

When Anthony was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) a few years ago the health service sent us a list of things to help him.  Problem was, we were doing almost all of it already which meant the only remaining support for his ADHD was via medication. I wondered how the medication worked and if there was anything we could do instead via his diet?  I also wondered if by understanding this, it might apply to people with depression or sleep difficulties.

The memory functions of my 10 year old autistic lad with ADHD

"I can't find my shoes, where are they, where are they?" screams Anthony as he races through the house. Anthony needs to be reminded to put his shoes in the hall when he takes them off. He can never remember where else they might be and has huge difficulty actually seeing them even when in plain sight. It's like directing a blind folded person to an object on the floor sometimes.

When you find out your child has got upset at school

When I dropped Jane at school on Monday, her older brother's teaching assistant was waiting at the door.  Anthony has autism and ADHD and has a learning support assistant (LSA)  or teaching assistant (TA) help him at school.  At first I thought he must have forgotten something, but then it was obvious that his TA was checking in because he'd got really upset a few days before.  It doesn't matter if your child has additional needs or not - no one wants to hear their child has been upset.