Getting others on board with diagnoses, medication or therapies

As a parent of kids with special educational needs the world can sometimes seem a lonely place.  We rely on those close to us.  The friends I often make are parents who also have additional needs kids.  This makes sense really as I have most things in common with them.  We have a little community.  

But sometimes the extended family, teachers or friends can have misconceptions about certain diagnoses, medications or therapies.   This can make decisions about how to help kids even harder. 

Will the pandemic slow down autism assessments?

I had to make an appointment with a doctor last week. Anthony's meds means he has to speak to his GP every now and again before his prescription can be renewed.  I'd seen things in the news about the knock-n effects of the COVID-19 pandemic being a delay in people seeking medical attention.  I didn't think it would be so difficult to speak to our GP though.  It took over a week of phoning every day as the surgery opened to try and get one of the daily slots.  Eventually, I got one because we has actually run out of medication.  And I wondered how challenging this might be if it wasn't just our GP we needed to see.

Is my child autistic?

I remember the exact moment when I thought Anthony might be different. When he wasn't doing something that all the other kids in the antenatal mums group were doing.  I had my suspicions and was soon asking myself, is my child autistic?

When I realised my son might be different #autismawareness

Anthony was a May baby. The timing worked really well. It wasn’t too hot for the last few months of pregnancy and by the time Anthony was a few months old it was beautiful sunshine and walks in the park. Every now and again we went with the antenatal class mums and their kids.

Three books for parents of newly diagnosed autistic kids

I was pretty sure that our eldest was autistic before he was diagnosed. But it was still an odd feeling to hear it confirmed.  The paediatrician seemed to be expecting tears or questions and it made me feel nervous - it made the diagnosis feel like an occasion.

The wait for an autism diagnosis

Imagine your child reaches three years and still doesn't say a word. They don't point to anything, comment or smile. They sit and repeat patterns of play over and over again and get upset if they are disturbed.   You have some suspicions and after chatting with a health visitor you think... may be my child is autistic?

The value of volunteers @metooandco

This week, a smaller but extremely important South West London charity was awarded The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS).  I couldn't be more pleased.

Pushy parents via @lifeasdrest and more

I never really thought of myself as a pushy parent. Too diplomatic. I simply explained facts and made it obvious that I had weighed all the options carefully and this was the best, or only conclusion.  But sometimes and for some people this isn't enough.

WonderfulWednesday: ADHD is not the fault of me @jodiemarieeaton

This week's wonderful Wednesday share is from Jodie who writes at Autism with Lots of Love and Affection  and is about the difficulties in getting and having an ADHD diagnosis accepted. It was published on the Huffington Post.