Keeping the relationship with the Grandparents going

These surreal days have seen the world forced to adjust to a new normal. While this has been difficult for many of us, those that are older and more vulnerable have been at greater risk. Some of these people have had to shield or self isolate for up to a year in an effort to avoid Covid-19. While vaccine rollouts are well under way, it been a long time since we've seen each other and this is especially the case with our kids. 

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?"

Helping our autistic kids get the best sleep

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. A King's College London study in the summer found that nearly two-thirds (63%) of people's sleep was worse during lockdown.  

SEND & SpectrumSunday Lockdown Linky 4

With even more of the lockdown easing, I wonder when things will seem a bit more 'normal' at least a bit more like what we were used to anyway.  In many ways lockdown has suited our autistic and ADHD family but I do wonder if I'll be calling these linkies 'lockdown' versions for much longer? It's hard to know what's going to happen and that can be challenging for many SEND families. 

Dealing with our hair and hair cutting while lockdown continues

I'm a proud mama.  All my kids have gorgeous locks of beautiful multi-tonal auburn, blonde and brown hair.  They are gorgeous.  Lockdown means it's been too long between hair cuts for most people.  But given two of our kids have autism and with that a large range of sensory needs we've been cutting hair at home for years.  So here's my tips for dealing with their hair; brushing, washing and cutting and the things we use so you can do it too.

How we've used our home during lockdown with our autistic kids

The environment in which we bring up our kids makes a massive difference to how they function on a day to day basis, even more so while they have been stuck at home during lockdown. Parts of the house have taken on new purposes so help them through this period.  It can be difficult to make changes around a home for kids with autism but we've had some things that we wouldn't have liked to go without.

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.

SEND and SpectrumSunday Lockdown linky 2

It's so many weeks into the lockdown?  How are you doing? I've been meaning to write a post about how difficult this time is for parents of SEND kids but I've just not managed it. If it's not simple at the moment, I can't fit it in.  

Keeping up with my kids as they spend more time online during the lockdown

With more families spending time at home, kids and families are finding more to do online. There has been a boost in Zoom and Tiktok to keep in touch with each other and a whole host of new idea such as Esports on Twitch to replace the real sports that just can't take place.  We've loved using some of these.  But being online for my little girl and my older kids with additional needs poses challenges.

Helping get our kids out into the garden

All the kids use the garden all year round, but right now it's more important than ever.  We are so fortunate to have this space while the country is on lockdown, but it's not always easy for our family to get out into it.  Autistic and many other kids can need to regulate their sensory systems - how their body reacts to the world around them.  And the garden has to help them with this.