We live on the border between two counties. All my son’s medical care is under Worcestershire. In September, he will begin primary school in Gloucestershire and, because of this, he is undergoing the EHCP process in Gloucestershire. We applied for an EHCP ourselves because no county would take responsibility. Worcestershire said they were not sure… Read More
When I explained that my husband likes routines and makes meal plans, you said “Oh I see. Is that where you think he got it from?” and you nodded your head towards my son, oblivious in the other room. You winced a little as you inclined your head, as if the word ‘it’ was mildly… Read More
I don’t want you to go to school. Every time I think of September, I lose my mind a little. I imagine leaving you at that gate and my chest tightens, bile rises at the back of my throat. I must dismiss the thought, focus on the three months I have to cherish four-year-old you,… Read More
If you’ve met one person with autism … you’ve met one person with autism. Ok. Let’s be clear – I wholeheartedly appreciate the sentiment behind the phrase. People with autism are individuals. Of course they are individuals. We know, even if there are those who cannot put it into practice, that we should never judge… Read More
Hello and welcome to Spectrum and SEND Sunday #49. It has a been a busy few weeks, with Biggest’s EHCP assessment kicking off, the BAPs SEND blogging awards and a trip away for Blog On MSI for me. It was lovely to have some time to myself and meet up with some lovely friends from… Read More
It is 10 am. Snack time. Toys litter the floor like a colourful, haphazard obstacle course. “Sweetheart, it is snack time. Do you want a banana or a fruit bar?” A small boy looks up, wide-eyed, thoughtful. A tuft of hair, golden in the morning light, sticks up from his crown. His mother flattens it… Read More
When you are the parent of a child with autism, it easy to feel alone. It is easy to feel like there is no one else who is truly on your side, no one else as dedicated to fighting your child’s corner. Through no fault of their own, friends and relatives do not fully appreciate… Read More
Gorgeous boy – I love you. All of you. Every inch. Every week, I receive messages – from people on the autism spectrum, from other mothers, fathers, neurotypical and neurodivergent. They tell me that I am a good mother. They tell me that I am an example, that they wish their parents had understood them… Read More
If you are an autism parent with a sensory seeking child, then you probably know all about bouncing. For sensory seekers, bouncing is about more that just an occasional bit of fun and an entertaining way to exercise. Bouncing is a way of life. The sensory stimulation that trampolining provides can be extremely beneficial for… Read More
Teaching is more than just a job. I know. I know what it is to mark and lesson plan into the small hours. I know what it is to live in a hollow of exhaustion. I have felt the isolation and dread of a pile of unmarked books that must be marked, felt it deep… Read More
Hello and welcome to Spectrum and SEND Sunday #47. We took a little break last week as it was Easter and we were away for a few days, visiting Granny and Grandad. Also, like many, we received the news that Biggest has been offered a place at primary school. We have also applied for an… Read More
It can be notoriously difficult for children on the spectrum to get to sleep. What’s more, no one really knows why. Some believe it may be related to lower melatonin levels, or perhaps sensory issues, but even doctors do not fully understand what the issue may be. We have been fairly fortunate in that, although Biggest does… Read More