I was watching some videos of my son as a baby yesterday.
They shocked me.
The baby on screen was facing the camera, smiling, responding well to commands and interacting with others. You would never have thought that the child was autistic.
Indeed, my son was a bright, bubbly, responsive baby and at his 2 year health check, he scored highly on intelligence. I remember the health visitor being very impressed that he could count to 20.
Sometime between the ages of 2 and 3 years old, things changed, almost imperceptibly.
I saw a programme on TV a while ago where a mother described her autistic son as being a typical baby, but then one day, he seemed to have changed overnight, like a light went off in his brain.
Autism is such a mystery, but when it has sudden onset, it is even more puzzling.
Friday 27 July 2012
Trip to Chessington
I had an amazing day out yesterday. We went on a trip to Chessington World of Adventure, courtesy of Action for Children. Merlin Entertainment, who own several theme parks, including Chessington and Alton Towers, subsidised the trip so that we were able to go for a very reasonable reduced price per family.
For a coach full of kids with learning disabilities, the kids were surprisingly well behaved during the 3 1/2 hour journey.
The best thing about the trip was that we were all issued with a ride access pass, which meant that we didn't have to queue for the rides. This is a huge bonus when you have an autistic child, as these kids don't really understand the concept of queueing! My son was given a wristband which we had to show at the ride exit and the staff let us on the ride. By the way, hats off the to park staff, who were all lovely and very helpful.
I also believe that the other big theme parks run a similar scheme. Alton towers and Drayton manor also have a ride access policy. Disabled visitors need to bring proof of disability. DLA forms do not count, it has to be a doctor's letter or diagnosis letter. Show the letter at guest services and they should issue you with a wristband.
It made all the difference to our trip, which has been the highlight of our school holiday so far!
For a coach full of kids with learning disabilities, the kids were surprisingly well behaved during the 3 1/2 hour journey.
The best thing about the trip was that we were all issued with a ride access pass, which meant that we didn't have to queue for the rides. This is a huge bonus when you have an autistic child, as these kids don't really understand the concept of queueing! My son was given a wristband which we had to show at the ride exit and the staff let us on the ride. By the way, hats off the to park staff, who were all lovely and very helpful.
I also believe that the other big theme parks run a similar scheme. Alton towers and Drayton manor also have a ride access policy. Disabled visitors need to bring proof of disability. DLA forms do not count, it has to be a doctor's letter or diagnosis letter. Show the letter at guest services and they should issue you with a wristband.
It made all the difference to our trip, which has been the highlight of our school holiday so far!
Monday 23 July 2012
Personal Space
We have the decorators in today to do the kids' rooms.
My son chose what he wanted, now he finally has a room of his own.
He wants it sea blue/green with big stickers of fish on the walls.
My son chose what he wanted, now he finally has a room of his own.
He wants it sea blue/green with big stickers of fish on the walls.
Sunday 22 July 2012
Taking Things Literally....Again!
Me: "Dad bit everyone's head off last night."
My Son: "Really? Did we have to glue them back on again?"
My Son: "Really? Did we have to glue them back on again?"
Transition and Leaving School
My son finished year 2 of school this week. He took it pretty well. The teacher made it easier for him by helping him create a transition book, with pictures of his new teacher and classroom to help him get used to the idea of change.
His big brother finished primary school and this was harder for my son to cope with, as they go to the same school. He got so upset and he couldn't deal with the fact that his big brother would be going to a different school in September. He loves his brother and that is going to be hard for him when he goes back without him.
Life goes on, and whilst most of us find it relatively easy to adapt to change, it can be really tough on autistic kids.
We have been at our new house over a month and he still thinks that at some point we are going to return to the old one....
His big brother finished primary school and this was harder for my son to cope with, as they go to the same school. He got so upset and he couldn't deal with the fact that his big brother would be going to a different school in September. He loves his brother and that is going to be hard for him when he goes back without him.
Life goes on, and whilst most of us find it relatively easy to adapt to change, it can be really tough on autistic kids.
We have been at our new house over a month and he still thinks that at some point we are going to return to the old one....
Monday 9 July 2012
Everything in its Place
Everything has to be perfect in our house, or my son cannot rest.
If I leave a cupboard door open, he will close it.
If a toy is on the floor face down, he will turn it the right way up.
If he is eating his lunch and has something with a wrapper, such as a chocolate bar or bag of crisps, he cannot just place the empty bag on the plate and carry on eating the rest of his food. He has to take the packaging into the kitchen and throw it in the bin first.
Unfortunately, I am the exact opposite. I'm just a little bit messy and disorganised and yes, I do leave things untidy sometimes.
It is a bit like having a little robot that follows you around and tidies up your mess.
We are a match made in heaven.
If I leave a cupboard door open, he will close it.
If a toy is on the floor face down, he will turn it the right way up.
If he is eating his lunch and has something with a wrapper, such as a chocolate bar or bag of crisps, he cannot just place the empty bag on the plate and carry on eating the rest of his food. He has to take the packaging into the kitchen and throw it in the bin first.
Unfortunately, I am the exact opposite. I'm just a little bit messy and disorganised and yes, I do leave things untidy sometimes.
It is a bit like having a little robot that follows you around and tidies up your mess.
We are a match made in heaven.
Saturday 7 July 2012
Bread and Butter
My son has a weird obsession when it comes to bread and butter.
If he has a bread roll, he does not like butter on it.
If it is a flat piece of bread, he likes butter on it.
If I fold the piece of bread over, it is now technically a sandwich and he does not like butter on it.
If he has toast, it has to be as pale as possible, otherwise he says it is "burned black", even if it is light brown. Toast has to have butter on it.
He also likes to eat butter raw, off a spoon, with no bread.
Fussy, huh?
If he has a bread roll, he does not like butter on it.
If it is a flat piece of bread, he likes butter on it.
If I fold the piece of bread over, it is now technically a sandwich and he does not like butter on it.
If he has toast, it has to be as pale as possible, otherwise he says it is "burned black", even if it is light brown. Toast has to have butter on it.
He also likes to eat butter raw, off a spoon, with no bread.
Fussy, huh?
Swimming
We have started going swimming on a Saturday. My son likes the freedom it gives him.
He gets a bit anxious in the water, but is starting to gain confidence. He was almost "there" today, he just needs a bit more practise!
He gets a bit anxious in the water, but is starting to gain confidence. He was almost "there" today, he just needs a bit more practise!
Thursday 5 July 2012
Scooter
I bought my son a scooter today. They seem to be the latest craze and I thought it would help him with his coordination.
He is actually pretty good on these things. Better than me anyway, but then again, I have no coordination at all and can't even ride a bike or skate.
It is a bit embarrassing when an autistic kid has better coordination than his mom.
I'll go crawl under a rock now.
He is actually pretty good on these things. Better than me anyway, but then again, I have no coordination at all and can't even ride a bike or skate.
It is a bit embarrassing when an autistic kid has better coordination than his mom.
I'll go crawl under a rock now.
Monday 2 July 2012
Destruction!
I was just in the garden, cleaning out the rabbit, when my son came outside.
He had a piece of broken stair rail in his hand.
Apparently it snapped off when he pulled it.
So much for my new house. There won't be much left by the time he has finished with it.
You can't turn your back on a child with autism for one second.
He had a piece of broken stair rail in his hand.
Apparently it snapped off when he pulled it.
So much for my new house. There won't be much left by the time he has finished with it.
You can't turn your back on a child with autism for one second.
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