As he walks through the front door, his parent asks him “Did you have a good day at school today, Jack?” and in doing so metaphorically pulls the ‘ring pull’ on the coke can that has been shaken all day… Boom! Jack erupts, and his parent wonders why this always happens at home and not at school…
Tag: autism
My New Book: ‘How To Include Autistic Children And Young People in Church’
A book to help children’s, youth, and families’ workers, as well as families themselves, to understand more about Autism, how to identify and remove the barriers that Autistic children and young people can often experience in church, and how together we can create inclusion, belonging, and spiritual development for all. The journey of writing this … Continue reading My New Book: ‘How To Include Autistic Children And Young People in Church’
Our Family And Autism – Paddy and Christine McGuinness – Helpful? Or Harmful?
“Paddy McGuinness and his wife Christine have three children, eight year-old twins Leo and Penelope, and five year-old Felicity. All three have been diagnosed with autism, a condition that means your brain works in a different way from other people, and can impact how you interact with the world.” This is the introduction to the … Continue reading Our Family And Autism – Paddy and Christine McGuinness – Helpful? Or Harmful?
Busting Ten Autism Myths
There are an awful lots of Autism myths out there; most are ridiculous, some would actually be quite funny if they weren’t so harmful, but they do seem to somehow persist in the national consciousness. So, here’s my guide to the top ten Autism myths and how we can bust them: “We’re all ‘on the … Continue reading Busting Ten Autism Myths
The Walk That Made Me – A Review And Study Plan
Film Title: The Walk That Made Me Year of Release: 2021 Written by: Chris Packham for BBC Certificate: N/A Running time: 59 minutes Link to the film on iPlayer (until June 2022): https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000xqgp/chris-packham-the-walk-that-made-me (Available with audio description or British Sign Language interpretation) BBC iPlayer summary: “Chris Packham explores his past as he walks a familiar path in the Hampshire countryside. … Continue reading The Walk That Made Me – A Review And Study Plan
Helping Our Autistic Children Recover From Meltdowns
Our Autistic son, James, had a meltdown recently, an experience that will be familiar to many families of Autistic children. Like any Autistic child or young person, when James has a meltdown there can be a wide range of triggers that could be causing it. He may be being overwhelmed by a range of sensory … Continue reading Helping Our Autistic Children Recover From Meltdowns
Making Wonderful Summer Memories That Last A Lifetime
Do you remember summers as a child? I do. For some reason I remember them as going on forever; long fun packed days playing in the sun (or sometimes huddled in a tent or caravan watching monsoon weather sweeping across wherever we were visiting!) This year's summer has been different in many ways, but perhaps … Continue reading Making Wonderful Summer Memories That Last A Lifetime
Fathers Day: The Dads Collection
On Sunday it is Fathers Day. A day which will be celebrated by some, mourned by others, a day of mixed emotions for more. As the Additional Needs Blogfather, Dads of children and young people with additional needs and disabilities have always been close to my heart, whether they are in the family home, apart … Continue reading Fathers Day: The Dads Collection
Never, Never, Never Give In…
Parents of children with additional/special needs need stamina. We know that sometimes things can take a long time before we can see any positive change. We need to be resilient, in this for the long haul, for life! But sometimes we see a breakthrough with our child that energizes us again, that renews and refreshes … Continue reading Never, Never, Never Give In…
Three Things Special Needs Dads Need To Know
Dads of children with special needs; I’ve met loads of them in the work that I do, nowhere near as many as the Mums that I’ve met, but whenever I’ve met special needs Dads, whether in a group or on their own, if I talk with them for long enough at least one of these … Continue reading Three Things Special Needs Dads Need To Know