The One Thing That Needs To Change Is Me – Autism Parenting And A Moment Of Clarity
If you have an autistic child, what needs to change?
Is it them, is it things around them or is it actually you?
Nine Things Parenting Additional-Needs Children Has Taught Me
Both my boys are autistic, one far more severely so (with pathological demand avoidance thrown in for good measure). It doesn’t define them but it is the reason for this article. As they have struggled, so have I – they adapt to a world not in tune to their needs; I adapt to parenting children […]
My Biggest Breakthrough As An Autism Parent
How I came to realise that one aspect of my son’s autism that has always concerned me may actually be an enormous strength and benefit.
A Letter To Myself On Finding Out My Son Was Autistic
If I could write a letter to my former self, the me that has just been told by my wife that she thinks our son is autistic, this is what I would say. Dear Jon It’s me, it’s you. You won’t doubt that I’m me, but how can I prove I’m you? I know – […]
You Probably Remember Us…
Our family is a little bit different. If you meet us, you’ll probably remember us.
Autism Diagnosis: Why Finding Out Shouldn’t Be Bad News
Wouldn’t it be great if finding out that your child was autistic wasn’t portrayed as a negative. Maybe it varies depending on where you live, perhaps our experience was atypical, I’m willing to be talked round if my anecdotal view is proven to be false (I’d make a terrible anti-vaxxer with that willingness to listen […]
Autism: 10 Things I Try To Remember As A Parent To A Child With Additional Needs
Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t… Usually my blog posts have three or four pars of intro before really getting to the point – I think that stems from university and a desperate need to waffle in history essays to get them anywhere near the word count. Let’s forego that this time though, no […]
Autism Parenting: Tips For Trips Out With An Autistic Child
Note: I enjoy writing blog posts that I would have found useful a few years back, as I set off on the journey of being an autism parent. They’re still useful to me now tbh as a reminder of how to act. Hopefully they’re of some use to other too. One of the true gifts […]
Special Needs Parenting: It’s OK To Admit You’re Knackered
I am absolutely knackered. I’ll come on to why but it’s also good to get that out from the start as an excuse for what follows. I’m tired, that means that what I think to be good writing will be rubbish, you should lower your expectations accordingly. I’m knackered because I’ve been working quite a […]
Concern For A Different Child
1. ‘The eyes though. You have to admit the eyes are unusual.’ ‘He’s got lovely eyes.’ ‘OK yeah, sure. He has lovely eyes, they are just very intense.’ ‘It’s not his eyes, it’s what he focusses on, that’s what you mean.’ ‘You’re right. Staring right at you. I feel like I’m being interrogated whenever I […]
Should I Tell People My Child Is Autistic?
Should I tell them my son is autistic? That’s a question I have asked myself at times, usually just after he has done something a little, shall we say, out the ordinary. Will telling them explain the behaviour? They’re strangers, does it matter what they think? What are the negatives, what message does it send […]
Autism Jobs: Nine Reasons Workplaces Would Benefit From Having More Autistic Employees
Not enough autistic adults are in full-time employment, you don’t need me to tell you that. It’s a scandal, it’s a disgrace, but it’s not just a problem for those of us with a direct interest in the rights of those on the spectrum. Workplaces with a higher representation of autistic employees would benefit absolutely […]
Autism: Inability + Time And Patience = Ability
If you have an autistic child you will know that often their inability to complete a task is not because they have an inability to complete the task. They could do the task if only it was made accessible. There is a solution though and it is a simple one – time. I’m going to […]
Autism Quiet Hour: Seven Reasons Why It’s Awesome
Autism quiet hours help us answer a very simple question. Do you want to go to the soft play when there are 37 children per square foot and you’ll be lucky to get parked within six miles? Let me think. Hmm, no not really. Do you want to go to soft play when it’s almost […]
Autism Jobs – A Fulfilling Job, Not Just Any Job
A worrying fact – only 16% of autistic adults are thought to be in full-time employment in the UK. In case you’re wondering what the overall figure is for adults in full-time employment, it’s well over 60%. The Tories might be intent on taking us into full blown economic winter but full-time employment rates aren’t […]
Instead Of Autism Hour Why Not Every Hour?
Autism hours are a godsend. You won’t hear me say a word against them. The benefits are obvious, making everything from basic resources through to fun experiences accessible to all. Without occasional autism hours it would be impossible for us to visit the cinema, or the aquarium or even the supermarket as a family. We […]
Autism Jobs: I Worry For My Son, Then I Don’t
I recorded 30 seconds video of my son’s hands while he built in Minecraft the other day. As you do. The pace of movement was incredible. His fingers darted across the keyboard, choosing objects from the inventory, placing them, choosing other objects, building upwards, adding a sign and typing – near touch-typing, instinctively self-taught. This […]
I’ll Fix It Later – Four Words I Loved Hearing
‘I’ll fix it later’ Usually I’m the the person saying that in our house. It might be the flooring trim that has lifted between the lounge and corridor. ‘I’ll fix it later’. Maybe it’s the fridge which seems to have some sort of small blockage that is causing it to slowly leak, ruining the wood […]
Autism And The Hunt For Happiness In Childhood
Right now, my ears are ringing. We had the TV on, the contestants won the jackpot on Pointless and that led to a high-pitched, ear-drum bursting scream. The clapping and celebrating were the cause, though so much depends on the day, we had watched Pointless many times previously without incident. Little moments like this can […]
Tiger Woods, Obsession and Autism Niche Interests
Tiger Woods was aged two when he started playing golf. Six months later, he made his first TV appearance – he was on the show for his golfing ability, not just because he was a cute kid. By age five he was winning junior tournaments, by age eight he was settled into a practice routine […]