Tag: family
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School Success for Autistic Kids: How Parents Can Become the Ultimate Advocates
When my kids started preschool, I realised I was not your average parent. While some might feel overwhelmed by behavioural challenges, I go full Poundland Sherlock Holmes. Every issue sends me into a whirlwind of research, piecing together clues and obsessively problem-solving. I’ve come to embrace this as my way of supporting my kids. But…
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The Power of Repetition: Turning Overexplaining Into a Parenting Superpower
Parenting is full of surprises, not least the realisation that habits you once thought of as quirks—or even flaws—can become essential tools. For me, the urge to endlessly talk through upcoming plans has long been a source of frustration for others. Whether it’s discussing kitchen layouts or dinner menus, the same topics whirl around in…
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When You Learn Your Needs Don’t Matter: The Emotional Toll of Being Undiagnosed
I’ve often been asked why I push so hard for my kids to get diagnosed. To some, they seem “normal,” and the effort to secure assessments feels unnecessary. “They’ll be fine,” I’ve heard countless times. The answer to this question is simple: me. I’m the reason. My lived experience as an undiagnosed autistic and ADHD…
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Surviving the School Run with Neurodivergent Kids: A Battle Won Before 9 AM
If you’ve got neurodivergent kids, you’ll likely know the scene all too well: mornings filled with wailing, flailing, and full-body refusals. Getting them dressed, fed, and out the door for school feels less like a daily routine and more like a grueling endurance challenge. By the time you’ve arrived at the school gates, you’re frazzled,…
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When Your Kid Refuses to Settle into Preschool: Could It Be Autism?
When my son E couldn’t settle into preschool, I thought it was separation anxiety. But the real issue was sensory overload — and it led to an autism referral. Here’s what I wish I’d known sooner.
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How My Parents Accidentally Created an Autism-Friendly Christmas Tradition
Christmas: a season of bright lights, endless carols, chaotic parties, and school events piled on top of each other. Not to mention the mountain of noisy toys gifted by well-meaning relatives. While festive for many, Christmas was never designed for those of us who find everyday life overwhelming enough as it is. For neurodivergent folk…
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Navigating Social Challenges with Autistic Kids: A Realistic Approach
Socialising with neurodivergent kids isn’t always about playdates and parties. My boys thrive in structured settings but need weekends to decompress. After years of trying to “do it right,” I’ve embraced their need for quiet time. Turns out, kids can be happy little hermits—and that’s perfectly okay.
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Tips for Meltdowns at the Dinner Table: What Works for Us
Mealtimes in our house are where meltdowns are most likely to erupt. And since meals happen three times a day, you can imagine the deep sighing that goes on around here. Both of my boys ate everything as babies. During weaning, nothing was off-limits—they happily devoured small, slightly mushy versions of our meals. I thought…
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Helping Neurodivergent Kids Get Ready for School—My Personal Approach
If you have neurodivergent kids, you’ll likely know the joy of navigating the seemingly insurmountable task of getting them ready for the day. Simple things like getting dressed, brushing teeth, and putting on shoes can feel like scaling Everest while juggling flaming torches. In our house, mornings used to be a battleground. Large Child (5…
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Handling School When Your Child Is Facing Autistic Burnout
Between Christmas and Easter during Large Child’s first year at school, things started to settle. Or so I thought. But one persistent issue kept cropping up: exhaustion. Large Child cried every day before school, saying it was “too much.” But sometimes, the cries were different—deep, guttural sobs. His face was pale, his eyes glazed. As…
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