Why my autistic son spends hours playing on his iPad

A few weeks ago I watched a feature on the Victoria Derbyshire programme on kids and devices. The feature was highlighting that half of three to four year olds have their own phone or tablet.  I think if I told some people how long my son can play or should I say, is allowed to play, on his iPad I'd get strange looks. I know if I told people he spent hours everyday on it I'd be judged.

Is my son connecting with a new autism inspired character on Kids TV?

Did you see the Chris Packham programme 'Asperger's and Me' last night? I'm planning to catch up.  I'll be honest, once we've got our three children, two of whom have autism, into bed and started having dinner it's usually easily past 9pm.  I've read some inspiring reports about it this morning.   Truth is at the moment I feel spoilt for choice when it comes to watching autism inspired TV.

Getting our family through an airport

I wouldn't class us as frequent flyers, but we're on flights as a whole family at least twice a year.  My brother lives in the middle of the USA and if we aren't taking our kids to meet their cousins there, we may meet them somewhere else to go on holiday together.

Saved by a pack of M&S Dark Chocolate Lemon & Lime Jaffa Cakes

One of my girl friends loves the M&S Dark Chocolate Lemon & Lime Jaffa Cakes.  They are her go-to treat - worth their weight in gold. And though I'm not so sure that financially makes sense, she bought a pack over to my house the other day when she and her little boy came round for a play date with Jane.  And they were delicious.  Today I was going to drop some to her as a treat in return, but I couldn't.  Because yesterday I had to use them to save my son from himself. 

To the parents who thought my child was a genius

Ladies, picture the scene.  You are pregnant and have come in from a lovely walk with your partner, to enjoy a (caffeine free) Latte in your favourite coffee shop.  As you perch on your bar stool and think that these days the bump could do with a bit more support, you glance over to see three kids and two adults sat on a set of comfy leather sofas and smile.

WonderfulWednesday: The 10 important things you learn when you're an autism parent

This week's wonderful Wednesday share comes from my #SpectrumSunday linky co-host, Danielle at Someone's Mum.  Danielle has written a piece for Good to Know Essentials called 'The 10 important things you learn when you're an autism parent'.

Watching made easy with iBeani iPad and Tablet Stand

We are a iPad and device heavy home. We have nearly as many iPhone, iPads and tablets as I have fingers. We use them for everything from doing the weekly shop online and doing jigsaw puzzles to streamlining kids TV and sports events.

Favourite Friday: David's iPad, an alternative to parenting?

I think if I told some people how long my son can play or should I say, is allowed to play, on his iPad I'd get strange looks. I know if I told people he spent hours everyday on it I'd be judged.

Some kids and adults with autism use their iPads to communicate. There are great programmes like Proloco2go that means an iPad becomes a tool to interact. But that's not what David does. He communicates mostly with Makaton sign language. In fact, one of the first signs David learned was the sign for iPad. So obviously I'm using it as an alternative to real parenting right? Here's why not..

On 'Favourite Fridays', Rainbowsaretoobeautiful will publish the most popular post from the previous week. If you missed it, then here's your chance to catch up.

David's iPad, an alternative to parenting?

I think if I told some people how long my son can play or should I say, is allowed to play, on his iPad I'd get strange looks. I know if I told people he spent hours everyday on it I'd be judged. This post has been updated, please read the rest here.