The Sudocrem Incident
I’ve always been a pretty fastidious person. Maybe even to a fault! Because I like things to be organised, and tidy, and clean. Always. From the moment I moved into my own flat in my 20’s, tidiness has been very important to me. But when you have a baby, all that goes out the window! […]
The Flexibility Program
I don’t even know how to adequately describe what we’re going through right now. The organisation that manages Aidan’s 1:1 home based ABA therapy has implemented a flexibility program. It’s been suggested by them on and off, but it was never a good time to start it, mainly due to a scourge of seasonal bugs […]
Where Did All My Friends Go?
Life, in this Secret World of Autism, gets lonely. Our daily experiences are unlike anything we’ve read about, or seen in movies, or learned about in documentaries, or seen anyone else we know go through. We only have one child, and no experience of parenthood other than that of being special needs parents. What’s “normal” […]
That Crystal Ball
When I was five, I wondered if I’d be allowed to get a cat. When I was 10, I wondered if I would settle down in one school. When I was 15, I wondered if I would make it through my teenage years unscathed. When I was 20, I wondered if I’d ever find my […]
Am I Strong Enough?
Honestly, I must ask myself this question at least twice a day. Sometimes more! Because some days the challenges feel beyond my capability and I struggle for the capacity to be everything to my child and to my family. Motherhood is humbling y’all. In a way that’s impossible to explain to childless friends. Whatever you […]
A Peaceful Passing
No matter who we are or what our circumstances, we all hope for a good death. Nothing tragic, nothing painful. No disease or disability. At home, not in hospital. Not too young and not too old. Maybe passing away peacefully in our sleep, surrounded by our beloved family. Our final thoughts being of them and […]
Not Another Virus!
All parents fear bugs and viruses. It’s one of the hardest things we manage: Being sick ourselves, and having to look after our sick children. Most moms I’ve spoken to, don’t get the luxury of being sick. If you’re lying in bed, how do all the things get done? Who looks after the kids, the […]
A Will of Iron
For a very long time, we would do whatever it took to prevent Aidan from becoming dysregulated. And when his triggers ramped up, and it became virtually impossible to prevent a tantrum or meltdown, we would do whatever it took to bring the behaviours under control as quickly as possible. We genuinely believed that we […]
Pillows!
What are your child’s comfort items? I love asking this question in online autism support groups, because the answers are sometimes very weird and wonderful! There are things that make sense, and a few that are pretty unusual – like pieces of fruit, stacks of coloured paper, or kitchen utensils! Aidan’s are not too odd, […]
The Secret Costs of Autism
Remember when you were young and fun, well-rested and energetic, and you couldn’t decide between two pairs of shoes so you just got both? How long ago does that feel for you now? Because to me, it feels like a lifetime ago! I kind of feel as though every single parent on earth was wholly […]