Inclusion – Weds 12th March 2014
By Jeannette | March 12, 2014
I strive for not only awareness but acceptance of autism for my children and everyone else on the (wide) spectrum.
We go out to places full of people who aren’t necessarily aware and that’s when the stares, whispers and comments start. Fortunately they (T and D) don’t always notice, but I do.
There are a few wonderfully inclusive places where SN children and their carers can go and just feel accepted. Thames Valley Adventure Playground is one such place and it is fantastic there, a bit far to head to on a school night though.
Our local soft play centre held the first of their monthly SN nights this evening and we went along, along with approximately 30 other children and their carers. All enjoying the atmosphere of a play environment, a place where they could dance to the music, go down the slides and squeal (lots of squealing).
We’ve (yes, me too) been down the steepest, fastest slide ever, it’s not called the Turbo Slide for nothing! We’ve played Kinect and we’ve gone up and down numerous structures (and my bottom didn’t get stuck, always a bonus!!).
Here’s some pictures:
Ball pit play:
The fastest slide ever:
Kinect play:
T even got his “football fix” in the little arena, saving goals from D:
It was great and the next one is on my birthday too (bonus!). D had been looking forward to this all week and T – who I wasn’t sure if he’d enjoy it – was soon smiling and joining in.
I think I’ve found my Magic Moment, my Word Of The Week and my You Are My Sunshine moment, it was great!
A little bit of inclusion has gone a long way for this Mumma tonight.
Thanks for reading Jx
22 Comments
sharon powell on 14th March 2014 at 9:13 am.
This is a lovely post x #WotW
Jeannette on 15th March 2014 at 1:09 pm.
Thanks, it was fab to be able to join in with them 🙂
Amy Squires on 14th March 2014 at 9:46 am.
Aww lovely post!
Jeannette on 15th March 2014 at 1:08 pm.
Thanks, it was a lovely time 🙂
Redpeffer on 14th March 2014 at 9:57 am.
How wonderful x
Jeannette on 15th March 2014 at 1:08 pm.
Thanks Iona, it was great to see them so happy 🙂
Kim Carberry on 14th March 2014 at 10:53 am.
Aww! How fantastic x
Jeannette on 15th March 2014 at 1:08 pm.
Thanks, it was a lovely time 🙂
Anne on 14th March 2014 at 3:20 pm.
what a lovely post 🙂
Jeannette on 15th March 2014 at 1:06 pm.
Thanks, it was great 🙂
Jocelyn (@ReadingRes) on 14th March 2014 at 7:56 pm.
Wonderful. So pleased it was so successful and must have been great to watch (and join in with!) Thanks for sharing with #WotW x
Jeannette on 15th March 2014 at 1:06 pm.
Thanks J, they can’t wait until the next one and we’re back there today. Much busier, much noisier but it’s getting D used to it for when she has her birthday party here (at peak time)..gulp!
Rosie @Eco-Gites of Lenault on 14th March 2014 at 9:31 pm.
I’m smiling for you 🙂
Jeannette on 15th March 2014 at 1:05 pm.
Thanks, it was a fab time 🙂
Kriss MacDonald on 14th March 2014 at 11:47 pm.
How great that you all can just go out, relax and have fun – and squeal – without worrying about others. #wotw
Jeannette on 15th March 2014 at 1:04 pm.
Thanks Kriss, that was the best bit!
Victoria Welton on 17th March 2014 at 2:43 pm.
This looks like a fabulous place to be – and even better that you can relax in your surroundings 🙂 Thank you for linking to Magic Moments xx
Jeannette on 18th March 2014 at 9:09 pm.
It’s brill there Vicky, such a great idea for these sessions, all the children were smiling away, just lovely x
Coombe Mill (Fiona) on 17th March 2014 at 8:37 pm.
A great word and I’m glad you have found your inclusion, it is something really important to me for me and for my children too #MagicMoments
Jeannette on 18th March 2014 at 9:10 pm.
Thanks Fiona, I wish there were more places who did this, it’s so good to see them relaxed and smiling. Does us as parents good too 🙂
Emily Foran on 24th March 2014 at 4:42 pm.
Sounds like lots of fun and such a positive choice of word for the week! xx
Jeannette on 25th March 2014 at 7:57 pm.
Thanks, it was fantastic to see everyone happy 🙂