Five reasons why my kids get frustrated

My kids can become frustrated for a variety of reasons and it isn’t always easy to pinpoint the underlying cause of their emotions.  Two of them have communications difficulties, but even our daughter can struggle sometime to explain why she's feeling frustrated.   As a parent of autistic kids I've learned to behave like a detective - what's causing the issue?  

Marking the end of AutismAwareness month with our top posts

It's the end of World Autism Awareness Month.  Along with millions of people worldwide, I am, always, hopeful that the week will help highlight what autism is and is not and how fabulous people with autism (like two of my kids) are and also how challenging life can be for them and those who care for them sometimes.   The hope is that awareness leads to acceptance - that's the real goal. So here's my top five autism awareness posts from my blog.

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. 

Autism parenting: The heart ache of one shoe, my son's despair

It's hard to explain a meltdown to someone who doesn't understand.

Have you ever been so distraught that you can't function? Has anything ever upset you so much that you simply can't cope with anything? Think uncontrollable tears or absolute fear or rage? Or all at once? Now imagine feeling like this because your sister has only got one of her shoes on. That's what  life is like for our autistic son, David.