Living with Autism

We are all bunged up with colds and a very serious flu in the house. Bratty is in bits with flu and not herself at all. As many parents of high energy kids will know; that is sometimes "no bad thing" but it has been eerily quiet at times with no Bratty screaming at the computer or T.V.

The Boo man started his new school this week. LOVED IT!
I am amazed. As much as I longed for and wished for this, I was quite prepared for life to be hell for 3 months as he adjusted to having to work all the time, having people make him smarten up his act and for the fact that it was a drastic change.

But like a lot of things that we fret about in theory; the practice was fine. We did actually do a practice drive over there the day before, but without fuss. And I let Mr Hammie handle the little chats about "new school". Sometimes the low key approach is best and I did not do a big social story or any kind of transitioning preparation.
Dads really do have a purpose folks and Mr Hammie…

Lately I have been reading about "change makers". People who have genuinely achieved something to alleviate a deficit in our world, whether it be access to education, medical care, safe and affordable living conditions or the chance to make it on your own in life. The changemakers have achieved these goals somewhere in the world and it is a very positive and inspiring read.

I have found myself quite shocked by the conditions that preceded these "changes" as of course they were bad enough to motivate the people who set about making a difference. And I have been shocked by my own complacence in accepting that such hard won achievements in establishing equality; can be taken for granted. When I can see that around the world, there are many people to whom the right to be treated as an equal in any circumstance, is a novelty if not a dream.

Of course the people I have most identified with in the story are those that are dealing with disability. Either their own, or their …

Respect. R.E.S.P.E.C.T


Okay, it has been over a week since I blogged and I have been too busy getting Boo ready for his NEW School!!!; to write anything good lately.
But I have been thinking a lot about this theme of RESPECT.

So I am going to do what I did when answering that last exam question and time was running out; Get some main points down and hope to get some kind of a response.


RESPECT.

As a theme in special needs it covers many Facets.

Respect for parents who can see that something is wrong, and who need to be listened to.
Respect for the child with the needs. Respect that they need to be who they are, but also respect for giving them the best chance possible. Respect for their strengths and interests; Respect for their challenges.

Respect for Potential. Understanding that nobody, no matter how profoundly disabled can be considered a "write off" or "beyond help".
Failure to respect this makes it possible to withdraw resources, to justify redirecting those resourc…

Hi There tiddley peeps!
Sorry, just slipped into children's television mode there. Have been at home with my tiddley peeps for more than two weeks for Spring break and my brain has slowed down a little. Hence no sensible blogging.
Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, and I enjoy full time parenting. But you need get out to meet the real world every now and then.

It was my choice, I get a home help allowance for babysitting my kids but I choose to use it on weekends when I can take one child out and enjoy giving 100% attention , while the other child gets the full attention of my helperangel. We have a better quality of life that way.

And So, during the holidays, I am at home every day with my 2 kids who it has to be said; are not the worlds greatest conversationalists. Mr Hammie comes home and is not much better after a day at work, and so it all gets a bit lonely!
Sure, I can log on and cyber chat with my mates but there isnt the same depth of sharing and conversation that you get …