It’s been a while since my last post and for reasons that will become apparent this is because a lot has been going on and a lot that I didn’t want to share until I had some answers. I’ve spoken before about how every week seems to be a new battle to get what...
Am I a fraud?
Sometimes it is easy to feel like a fraud. It’s something I’ve said many times at the Fathers’ Club when I’ve listened to how badly some parents of children with autism have it. I hear stories of non verbal, physically violent children that don’t go to school or if they do, are segregated or...
A trip to A&E – Part 2
I just wanted to post a very brief follow up to my previous experience at our local A&E. Yesterday I spoke to the Head of Nursing at the hospital in response to my email explaining our poor experience and my concerns for the way those with non-visible disabilities and challenges. Unsurprisingly the outcome of...
Special Needs Schools – Part 1
“All children should attend a school that is right for them”. It’s not something I considered as a child until my dad made the statement when we were trying to find the right secondary school for me. Growing up on a council estate in the 1980s there was only ever one choice of primary...
A trip to A&E
“These things are sent to try us” is a phrase I often hear, and one which was very appropriate today. Since Becs’ surgery a few weeks ago I have been running the house, juggling work, school runs, after school clubs and dog walks. Every engine needs fuel and mine has been a mix of...
Z is for Zig-a-zig-ah
It was June 1996 that the Spice Girls burst onto the scene with their debut song Wannabe, full of hope and enthusiasm for their unique brand of “Girl Power”. They were so successful that they truly went viral globally at a time when the internet was not yet available to most people and the...
Y is for You Have Autism
We had known for a long time that Victoria was different to most of her peers but I think it really became apparent to me at least during the first lockdown of 2020. The level of the school work being sent home to the children in her class was way beyond what she could...
X is for Xperts
There are many, many experts you may meet on your autism journey. Some have impressive titles, degrees and years of experience as a professional. Some, like us parents, are simply dropped in at the deep end and have to become as expert as we can with the tools available to us. Others are a...
W is for Walking on FIRE!!!!
A few days before the event I had to explain to the girls today that on Saturday daddy would be walking on fire. I’m not sure what kind of response I was expected but on balance I’m glad it was “But if you walk on fire you will burn yourself and die!” rather than...
V is for Video
No words this time. Just a request for you to spend 90 seconds watching this video: Can you make it to the end?...