The importance of our south-west London autism diagnosis

It appears we are some of the lucky ones. We live in south-west London and our boys were both diagnosed with ASD by the time they were four years old.  They have both received appropriate support from services, organisations and in their different school settings.

Motor skills and imagination development using stamp sets from Magic Fairy Wings

It's not uncommon for some kids to have delayed fine and gross motor skills.  When you find things like doing up buttons, picking up objects and holding a pencil difficult this can have an impact on lots of other development areas.  Both our autistic kids find it difficult to hold a pencil making things like writing and drawing hard.  

Forest phonics fun in Bushy Park

I can't really believe Jane will be starting school in September. But there is no doubt she is ready for it. Perhaps having two older brothers has encouraged her but there is no doubt she is a girl that enjoys learning.  In a way she is always being taught to.  Her brother, David, is autistic and pre-verbal so we spend time shaping sounds and now looking at letters.  When Jane and I were walking around Bushy Park this week, she found a 'stick letter'.  And then had fun looking for letters and sounds as an impromtu activity that you can try too.

WonderfulWednesday: PDA Awareness Day

This month's wonderful Wednesday post highlights the great awareness being raised by bloggers last week on PDA, a type of autism.

Three well-thumbed books with autistic characters

Whereas some people wonder if Sherlock Holmes had Asperger's Syndrome, it's difficult to tell if this fictional character was designed on the autistic spectrum.  However, there are some absolutely brilliant novels which are, in my opinion, better for their autistic adult characters.  Even though I tend not to re-read books, mostly due to time, I find myself thumbing through for favourite scenes.  I've read lots with autistic children but I wonder about adulthood too.  I know few autistic adults and in some ways, though glamourised by text, these books give me some insight. Here's three of my well-thumbed ones that you may enjoy and learn a little from too.

There's so much to know with NCC

Did you get any of those 'how to be a parent' books before you had kids or when you were pregnant? I didn't.

When growing independence is frightening

Have you seen Rain Man?  If not you should.  There was a scene in it where Raymond, an adult with autism,  tries to cook frozen waffles in a toaster.  It all goes wrong, smoke pours out of appliance and the smoke alarm goes off.  His brother, played by Tom Cruise, comes rushing in, smashes the alarm off the ceiling and sorts out the smoking toaster. Raymond isn't safe to be by himself.  He was just trying to do was make himself breakfast,  but he is not independent.  He needs support, even to make breakfast.  And so does my son.

The reality and the ridiculous

Honestly, I don't know what we'd do without the trampoline in the garden and the trees to climb. In the winter I really miss being able to watch the kids throw themselves about in a fit of giggles (them... and me actually).  During the weekends we try and get outside to enjoy the space.  Now the evenings are lighter and warmer so begins the ritual of throwing them out the back door to play, and sometimes joining in.

Spectrum & SEND Sunday #48

Welcome back for Spectrum and SEND Sunday #48, the place where sharing your autism, special educational needs and disabilities, mental health posts is the thing to do. Easter and bank holidays have extended some our linkies of late but hopefully we are now back on track.. at least for a bit anyway.