Just over 12 months ago we took the difficult decision to begin medication with Jude. By then it had already been a two-year long process of discussions and evaluations, and we finally decided to give it a shot. That was a really difficult period in our lives. Jude was having[…]
I’ve got a confession to make. I thought being a parent was going to be easy. I never knew there’d be so many questions I’d have to find answers to, questions that seem to just get harder and harder. I spent most of my working years before becoming a dad[…]
A few years back Jude spent most of his time at home disengaged. Often it felt like he was trying to avoid me, leaving the room when I’d try to go and play with him. He found it difficult to look anywhere near me, let alone make eye contact. It[…]
Do you know what a stim is? Sometimes Tommy and Jude do things that draw attention to themselves. People stop and stare, they whisper behind our backs, they might even say something loud enough for us to hear, offering their advice on how I should parent my children. In the meantime, Tommy[…]
Birthday parties and autism can be a difficult mix. A party is a big change from a regular day and can lead to an overload of the senses. Suddenly there are all of these extra people, the noise levels are much higher, the presents, the cake, the candles, the games, the[…]
We’ve almost made it. Summer holidays are nearly over, and tomorrow school is about to begin! Parents and children all around the country have mixed feelings of relief, excitement, nervousness, and fear. New classes, new teachers, the chance to get back to a regular routine, September brings with it a month of[…]
I’ve been pushing Jude along in a pram for 8 years now. There’s nothing wrong with his legs, he can run, bounce and jump just as well as any other child his age. So when we’re out and about, some people can find that hard to understand, and don’t always[…]
Autism has thrown up many challenges over the last 8 years. Some of them much greater than what I ever thought I’d have to face when I became a dad. There’s been challenges with communication, diet, health, toileting, and self-harming to name but a few. Yet I never thought I’d have to[…]
It’s my blogoversary! A year ago I hit the post button on my first ever blog, and Stories About Autism was born! I had no idea how it would go, or what I was doing, I was so scared that first night. But I was also passionate about doing this. I[…]
August is here, our week of summer club at school is over, and the the holidays have begun for real. Five more weeks of waking up every day and thinking ‘Oh my God, what are we going to do today?” Every parent I know has a bit of a love-hate[…]