The Cot

Aidan was a baby that needed contact to nap or sleep. He needed to feel the warmth of your body, and be able to hear your heartbeat at all times. Though we battled with this, we weren’t aware that anything was unusual about it, until other moms with bubs of a similar age, were transferring […]

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 […]

The Program

Aidan was just two years old when his home-based ABA program started. He had only just dropped his naps, and had been spending happy days playing at home, in the garden, visiting parks, and attending a small number of toddler classes we’d enrolled him in. He’d had relative freedoms, little structure, and was a little […]

Does the FBI Know About Me?

When a new rigidity or trigger pops up, or an established one changes ever so slightly, we are all caught unawares. Our son is right of centre on the spectrum and completely nonverbal. He can’t tell us what he’s thinking or feeling, except by crying. He will be absolutely fine for weeks, and then suddenly […]

Levels of Support

This is such an important thing to talk about. Because wherever our kiddos are on the spectrum, our families need support. And the kind of support we need varies at different times along our journey.  And that support falls into five different categories: Emotional support can be provided by friends, family, our partners and other […]

The Diaper Drama

My amazing OBGYN, Dr Paula Penkin, always marvelled at Aidan’s length whenever I went in for a prenatal check. She told me she thought he was going to be a basketball player! Though he came early, at 37 weeks, he was an impressive height and weight when he was born – 56cm long and 3.98kg’s. […]

Invalidated

After a hard day or night, my mind can free-fall into dark gullies. I think about our hidden life, within this Secret Wold of Autism, and feel utterly alone. Sometimes it feels like we are in a parallel universe to everyone we know and care about. The roads, bridges and tunnels look the same, but […]

Correct Terminology

Before you become an autism parent, you have no idea how much words matter. Learning and using correct terminology is so important, not just for parents but for your extended family and friends as well. A throwaway comment can sting and stay with you for a lot longer than anyone may realise. But it can […]

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