Advocating for your child at school IEP's......

acknowledging Looking In / Looking Out
for the use of this picture

When I first started preparing for my blog, I gathered the many notes and documents I had written over the years about our personal journey into the world of Autism.

Travelling along its path, my eyes were opened to many different aspects that as parents of ‘neuro-typical’ children we take for granted.

While re-writing our story for the blog, I viewed the many comments I had previously noted, and while writing the words again, my words, I had a ‘light-globe moment’ and taking the words of a poem written, I now re-use the words to highlight our children’s specific requirements, expressing the importance to the need for ‘continual’ assistance ….  

the Joys of Family......

A.J. in his dressing gown on his iPad,
his two favorite things 

OK, just snuck out to the office/sewing-room to write my latest Blog, while the boys are watching Dr Who of all things; seems A.J. has found a new obsession and Poppy is so proud;
and while I'm mentioning ‘Poppy’ I have to acknowledge the fact that if it wasn't for my adorable Hubby I wouldn't have achieved as much as what I have to date.
He’s still as amazing today as when we first connected or maybe even more if I am totally honest......
I know you are all saying OMG, but the truth is he has been my rock through so much we have encountered and never once complained about what I have opened him up to, with all my dreams and plans, struggles and encounters.
....luv him forever......

With all the mushiness out of the way and admitting we have had our ups and downs, faced rocky roads together, and sometimes not the best of times, I still truly acknowledge the good that has come from it all and how we have grown stronger because and despite of those things.

Daily Routines, Rituals and Resolutions......

A.J. taking time out
 after his busy school schedule

Finding and solving the smallest of issues, can make the biggest impact on our daily routine.

All children cope better when they have clear concise guidelines with structured routines and boundaries. Having specifically laid-out expectations simplifies everything for them and makes it easier to handle. If there are no rules or they are constantly changing, it is hard to anticipate what is required and causes more confusion.

Part of this structure is also focusing on the positives, rewarding good choices and behaviour, and being consistent with everything.

Giving clear explanations to why and how things are needed takes away stress and worry they may be doing things wrong or different to what is requested.

Finding ways to help……

business cards and advertising poster 

My ‘passion’ is connected with my ‘compassion’ for others……

I have always had an unintentional need to help others in any simple way I can, regardless of the fact that my family and I personally have very little, I still seem to be drawn to those in need.

With this in mind it never surprised my family or friends to see me find a ‘need’ to connect to.

From the time I gained care of our grandson, I gave 100% time and effort into helping A.J. with the delays and struggles he was presented with, and then after learning of his diagnosis, I fell into the passion of researching anything and everything that will help him in the best way possible.

This was when I realised our community needed a support service to provide help for all the parents, carers, etc; a way of linking together to help each other, with support, sharing stories-hints-ideas, with understanding-direction-assistance, to link with the correct available services, and so much more; but mostly just to know that someone else understands, cares, and wants to help.

the positive side of Autism......

acknowledging 'MI Autism Wonders' for the use of this picture

Many parents and carers when beginning their path to researching the description, symptoms, understanding of, and other ‘want-to-know’ criteria regarding Autism and associated diagnoses, will find themselves bombarded with a long line of “deficits” connected with the challenges our children (and adults), are faced with.

Although it is necessary to be aware of these challenges to more easily assist our loved-ones, we would also like to know and acknowledge that they also have a list of “Traits”, that as a parent, we can celebrate as a positive, to be proud of, as with any of our children.

the Highs and Lows of life......

A.J. doing wat he does best lately
...finding food.

This is the part that gets difficult….

Facing the day-to-day school situations of total mayhem that others call every day high-school life, although when adding the confusion, sensory distractions, misunderstanding of instructions, trying to keep up with classwork, and many other ASD related issues; you may have a small clue to where we’re at……?

A few highs and lows presently at school, starting with the cold weather, this can affect all of us in some way and sitting in a cold car waiting for him after school I can definitely sympathise, especially when our weather changes so dramatically, add to this A.J. has Sensory issues running thick and fast, beginning with clothing sensitivity and his refusal to wear a jumper or an undershirt with his uniform as the ‘Layering’ causes distress; 

The change in weather also causing distractions as the school stated he is ‘refusing’ although we have agreed he is ‘struggling’ to stay focused and concentrate on his tasks.

Then I was informed he has had a different Teacher’s Aide working with him and he hasn’t become comfortable with her differing techniques, add the different subject topics he’s started with this term and the end result is obvious.