Recently I have been wondering, just how much does the need for reciprocal affection affect our parenting style? As a neurotypical person I'd say most of us strive to receive affection, to find a partner who will love us and show that love. How many of you get annoyed if your partner doesn't buy you [...]
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Do parents have the right to expect certain behaviours from their children?
Quite often as I browse Twitter I come across various posts discussing the abusive nature of neurotypical parents towards their autistic children. I was seriously shocked at first, and a little hurt if I'm honest. How could neurotypical (NT) parents be given this label? I mean, child abuse? Really? Surely NT parents couldn't be that [...]
The very real anxiety of transitioning.
When I was in primary school, my dad drove me to swimming lessons every Saturday morning. I loved my lessons, but the journey to the pool I absolutely did not love. In fact, it was the most stressful part of my week. Why? Because even at the age of 8 I suffered from anxiety. Anxiety [...]
London calling…The Finale.
Ah, London. Over the past few months you and i have become best friends again. Although I grew up in your northern suburbs, but on this most recent trip I realised just how much of a country bumpkin I have become... At first I fell straight back into my north London factory settings. This was [...]
When everything falls into place…
Writing this blog is all about sharing the good, the bad and the ugly. But I want to make sure that I don't focus too much on the bad and the ugly. Someone once said to me that parenting a child with disabilities brings the lowest lows, but also the highest highs! Some highs brought [...]
While the rest of the world sleeps.
While the rest of the world sleeps, I hear you stirring in your bed. The stimming starts, The to and fro of your shaking head. I wait with baited breath, Will you wake happy or sad? But it does not matter, For little sleep we have had. I check the bedside clock, What hour is [...]
The stress of a normal existence…
It's 5am. I'm writing this now as I can't sleep. I'm stressed. Again. Why? This time it's because of something that most people would consider quite a normal experience. In fact most would treat it as a fun and healthy family activity. But to me it is utterly terrifying. What is it? Swimming lessons. The [...]
Are you truly happy?
We went on a softplay play date this morning. It was actually one of the best I have ever been on. Kiddo took straight to the slides and barely touched base with me for two whole hours! For me it was coffee paradise, surrounded by social adult conversation and that group therapy feeling you get [...]
A typical bedtime.
Picture the scene. It's the end of a long tiring day. Kiddo has very successfully expended all his energy (impressive) and is now overtired and hyperactive as a result. Verbal communication is attempted with minimal success which results in a full on wrestling match to get him off the trampoline, which he obviously thinks it's [...]
Let’s talk about milestones…
Do you remember the first time your baby sat up? The first time they crawled? Walked? I'm sure you do. Most parents I speak to have crystal clear memories of these moments. I do remember the first time kiddo crawled. It was an agonising wait, full of his frustrations that he just couldn't make himself [...]
