Monday 18th June

Thanks very much for the RTs of my earlier post today, really appreciated 😘.

A much better day today, D did her 2/3 walking to school this morning and I think if we didn’t have to go to T’s school first (with the swarm of school children and their parents) she’d probably walk all the way. She’s very regimented about walking to where we’d discussed, then using the buggy to T’s school and then walking again. Really proud of her for sticking to it. Of course, walking a familiar, quiet route to school is very very different to, say, walking through a busy shopping centre so I can imagine that the buggy will play a big part in her life for some time to come.

She went into class very well too, eager to share the news that the caterpillars had all started to turn into butterflies. Speaking of which:

This is day 18, 🐛🌸🐛, all hanging upside down like little bats! All very still until one will start frantically wriggling!

Speaking of insects, I don’t know whether it’s because they’re in the house but I am having the most BIZARRE insect-related dreams! Yesterday I woke up having dreamt that D was eating caterpillars with ladybirds heads, really relishing them, chomping away (!) and last night’s was that I had purple head lice! If anyone analyses dreams and it’s something that could lock me away, please don’t tell me, I’m needed at home, lol!

Anyway…. D came out very well, running at me, calling “Mumma” and this carried on for the 1/3 or so she walked home, holding my hand saying “Mumma”. I think she was pleased to see me. I’d asked if school could do me some PECs after yesterday and they’ve agreed, so should have those in a couple of days.

Once we were home, D said they’d been practicing for sports day and she wanted to practice more in the garden, so she’s been running, egg & spooning and attempting to hop! T joined in too and they were both very good natured about it, surprisingly.

She’s settled very well tonight – with her Melatonin – worn out by lots of sports day practice, she’s very excited about it!

Hope everyone’s had a good day, life really is a rollercoaster and we’re on the good bit at the moment!

Thanks for reading, comments/RTs as ever welcomed Jx 😘

When Autism smacks you down and some kind words lift you back up…

Sometimes you can feel like you’re coasting, sticking to the routines that are so important to an autistic child. The snacks and meals are produced at the right time, the routes to and from school are not deviated from, the nighttime routine is followed religiously to (try and) ensure a peaceful night’s sleep for them.

And then something happens (as detailed in yesterday’s blog) and …..whack, slam, boom (imagine Batman & Robin graphics here)…you’re floored by autism temporarily but painfully.

This is where Twitter can be so wonderful. The autism community always has someone around to offer advice, support or a virtual hug. In yesterday’s case, it was advice from lovely Lisa (@lisaj4autism) who suggested that we use PECs in future to enable D to move on quicker from situations that she is stuck in. In last night’s blog (in case you haven’t seen it) she was saying “sorry” for about an hour, with a completely blank expression in her eyes and on her face, Hubbie said this morning that she had been rocking whilst saying it too.

It left me thinking well, should I have made T and D apologise (yes, I still think) but now know that some visuals would (hopefully) have closed the situation sooner.

It then made me think and wonder for D. When she was diagnosed, we got the “your daughter is emotionally xx years behind her peers” and “speech is delayed by xxx”, I can’t remember the exact numbers quoted but both were a good few years behind, I wouldn’t mind an update to that but cuts and lack of funding would make that an impossible request. I presume she is still behind emotionally and mentally but in a body that is a few years ahead, my poor little love!

So…this is where Twitter is great, we all have our worries, concerns and fears for the future but there are kindred spirits around who can laugh, cry and joke with you.

Thanks everyone 😘😘