Helping autistic kids adjust to a new baby

I remember when we found out our eldest, Anthony, was autistic, I was pregnant with David. Then I was pregnant with Jane when we found out about David. A friend of mine is expecting and as parents of autistic kids often do, we were chatting through how things were and she admitted being nervous about bringing a new baby into the family and how their autistic child might react.  

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. 

Last minute multi-stop trip with autistic kids - no problem

Earlier this year we all felt down. Life, work, home all seemed a bit of a mess. So my hubby and I put our heads together - let's go big this summer.  Let's go away for the whole summer, visit lots of places, escape, find ourselves, find our family, expand our kids horizons. But come May I'd still not booked anything.  All I had was a plan and if I didn't act soon, that's all I'd have.

No, this won't pass.. why parenting my autistic kids is different

Sometimes people say things that mean well. I recently wrote a post about how parents need time to themselves. Parenting can be overwhelming and exhausting in many ways and I need a little (often just a tiny) space to express myself to stay sane.  Many of my readers agreed.  Some added their support, saying "this will pass" but of course the reality for us is that it probably won't.

The quick trick on your iPhone that could save your or your family's life in an emergency

Today celebrates the 30th Birthday of one of my supported charities (London's Air Ambulance).  Doing what needs to be done as quickly as possible makes all the difference in an emergency.  But did you know there is a trick on your iPhone that could support emergency services if something ever happened to you or your family?  It takes less than 5 minutes to set up, could save your life and is called Medical ID.

WonderfulWednesday: Life is good..we are a happy neurodiverse family

I found my wonderful Wednesday share this week via Autism on our house Facebook page who published this image via Respectfully Connected.    It's a quote from Meg Murray that highlights how, just like our kids are 'different, not less', so is our family.