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. 

Some advice from others for additional needs parents

Parenting a child with additional needs comes with a unique set of challenges. Most of my experiences come from my amazing kids but it' means I most understand things from parenting kids with autism and ADHD. Here's some tips from others that has a focus on supporting those with cerebral palsy. Like autism, cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition, however if affects the individual in a different way.

Helping improve my mental health with small changes

The current changes has led to plethora of news about it's impact on our mental health.  I've written plenty about how it's impacted on us and just generally about the additional stresses that come with raising children who happen to have additional needs.  Then someone said to me "Well, what can you do about?"

Looking out for my kids on World Mental Health Day

I heard on the news the other day that there had been a reduction in the referrals to mental health services since the pandemic.  I don't know about everyone else, but it seems to me that we need these services now as much as ever.. if not more.  Things have been different, and change can create a lot of uncertainty and anxiety and many people have been coping with a lot more. 

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.

What to do with the worries we can't do anything about

I know there are many people with worries at the moment.  Our son Anthony is autistic and has ADHD and struggles with lots of things.  He suffers from anxiety.  I have my own difficulties in 'letting things go'.  It leads to further issues with sleep in our home and can have a general affect on how the boys cope daily.  They have less resilience and this puts us at greater risk of mental health issues, especially now.

Looking back over the year of our autistic, ADHD and neurotypical family

Another year passed and what has happened. Here I remind myself of the top posts and parts of our lives with our autistic and neurotypical family from the last twelve months.  I hope it's been a good year for you, here's ours.

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.

Time to get out the winter school uniforms

It seems like the kids have only been back at school for a few weeks but it's already approaching half-term.  The routines we've just settled into will stop again.  Then it's just a week off.  It'll get even darker and colder and when they go back the kids will be in their winter uniforms.

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.

Make a Pearl of Wisdom for the New Year 2019

Too many messages can be confusing for many kids.  Especially ones like some of mine with autism and ADHD, or just when they are younger, like Jane, thinking of many things can be challenging. We tried this fun kids craft, highlighting a 'pearl of wisdom' or a special thing for the kids to remember for 2019, a bit like a New Years resolution for kids. 

Looking back at 2018 with our autistic and neurotypical family

Another year passed and what has happened. Here I remind myself of the top posts and parts of our lives with our autistic and neurotypical family from the last twelve months.  I hope it's been a good year for you, here's ours.

Supporting independence in the morning routine

Mornings in our home are a sort of regimented chaos.  Three kids who all require some form of supervision, two schools to get to and all their gear. Although my kids may seem old enough to be doing a lot of the morning routine themselves, they have a few challenges

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.

Cherished Charity: Happy Mail via @MyLittlePreemie

This week I'm continuing my latest blogging series called Cherished Charities. I was at a local Mayor's event when someone from another charity said, "No one has really heard of us unless they need us, it's so hard to raise funds."  So I thought I'd create a small opportunity for people to share the charities important to them here.  And I this week it's from Becca who writes at My Little Preemie. 

Helping our ADHD son focus on his homework

It may be the Easter break but that doesn't mean learning stops.  There's all the everyday learning when you go to the park and do activities at home of course.  And then there's also homework that's got to be done too.

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.

It's World Down Syndrome Day - what's with the socks?

Today, many people will have been wearing odd socks for World Down Syndrome Day.  But what's it got to do with socks?