If you ask me ‘why does he do that?’, you cannot offend me. When you question, ‘if autism is not a disease, then what is it?’, I am not insulted. If you say, ‘My children are scared. How can I explain this to them?’ I will talk for as long as you will let me,… Read More
We met, nearly fifteen years ago, during teacher training. Every day, I walked from the train station to our placement school. Every day, a few minutes before I got to the gate, you would overtake me on your bike. As I walked, my thoughts were dominated by the moment when you would pass. I adjusted… Read More
My parenting may seem unusual to you. You might think I am indulgent. Maybe you think I display favouritism, that I am soft, that I have made a rod for my own back. You probably won’t understand my odd reactions to what seems like misbehaviour from my son. Every parent knows what it is like… Read More
My son said his first word at just over one. It was car. Others followed – by age two he spoke in sentences and followed instructions easily. He was behind physically. He rolled and crawled and walked late, but not enough to warrant concern. It was only later, only when the physical delays became more… Read More
My son is not a problem. He is not a health and safety risk, a difficulty to manage or an obstacle to overcome. He is not a disability. He is not a neurodevelopmental condition. He is a little boy who fears and loves, who laughs and cries. His behaviour is not challenging. To label it… Read More