I've always loved Christmas. The nativity plays, the carols, the gift giving, the food and the family time. But some aspects of it I struggled with including parties, nights out and even receiving gifts can sometimes be overwhelming. And as a Mum things haven't always turned out the way I'd hoped and I imagine I'm not alone.
Two years ago this month I was diagnosed as Autistic. Although you are born Autistic it wasn't until I was officially told I was Autistic that I started to feel truly myself. 2022 was a tough year for me with my mental health but as soon as my diagnosis was confirmed I felt a huge weight had been lifted. I felt all my life that I didn't fit in and I had to work hard at being "normal" but now I didn't need to fit in because I was never meant to. I am neurodivergent in a neurotypical world. I feel more free now than I ever have.
Community is so important in life and finding people going through similar issues can be just what you need to make it through. My son and I became part of a new community in August. It is his ASN nursery community. Within this community our kids might go through different things but our journey as parents is very similar and having that community helps a great deal.
I think it is a very personal decision whether to tell your child they are Autistic and when the best time is. Every child is different and so is every family. But I believe knowledge is power and the more you know about yourself the better you can navigate through life.
This year our youngest child was refused an additional support needs nursery placement. I was devastated at the time because I knew for certain he wouldnt cope in mainstream. He was already in a 2-3 room at a nursery and wasn't coping. The nursery itself was brilliant with him and his key worker, especially, was so patient and so understanding that I knew they were doing all they could to support him. Problem was he needed more support than what they could offer. Fast forward 4 months of fighting and I managed to get him an additional support needs placement! Below is the timeline and details of what happened.
Being Autistic and caring for an Autistic person can be difficult, in fact some days it can seem impossible and heartbreaking. Many times I have cried wishing I didn't think and feel the way I do. Many, many times I've been distraught over how difficult it is to help and support my Autistic children with their needs.
Sometimes special needs parenting is battling through various storms just to get our children's basic needs met. I'm facing a new storm. I got told last week that my youngest son's application for an additional needs nursery placement was rejected. I immediately burst into floods of tears, how could they deny my precious boy the help he needs?
Today was a big day in my house. My youngest ate a biscuit!!!!!!! I can't believe it. I know this seems strange to celebrate but my youngest has an EXTREMELY limited diet, sees a dietician and doesn't try new foods but today he took a bit of my biscuit and ate it! So I got him one of his own and he ate it too! This is huge for us. Got to love a bourbon biscuit! ❤️🫶❤️
There is a big debate about what terminology should be used regarding autism. ASD? With autism? Has autism? Autistic? Before I was diagnosed I never really thought about it and it didn't bother me what term was used for my kids. I didn't realise the impact that it might have. I never had time to research it and explore what it all means. But now I am making the time.
