Nearly there.. And “We Have Autism” by @womanwithbaby #ThisIsAutism
By Jeannette | April 20, 2014
The Easter Bunny was kind to us this year, aided by D’s faithful Bunny:
As with Christmas and birthdays, D has started to get excited about Easter, but on her terms.
I’d previously seen some bunny-shaped chocolate “eggs” and thought they’d be just perfect for D but, considering she wouldn’t eat Easter chocolate for years because it wasn’t round and there were broken shapes, I thought I’d better check with her (by pointing out them in the shops). Just as well I did, because she did not like them at all, according to her “they’re not proper eggs” and I guess she has a point.
The stormy weather prevented an egg hunt outside (small blue ones for T, small pink ones for D – yes, stereotyping but they like it that way) so it was an indoor hunt, after we’d been visiting. T went off to place D’s and similarly she did T’s. All was well until the intellectual differences between them reared their head, with T getting frustrated that she wasn’t responding to clues. She, in turn, got very upset that T couldn’t find his last egg and she couldn’t remember where she’d hidden it…
With D heading back to school on Tuesday (T on Wednesday), we’re aiming for quieter, calmer day tomorrow, that’s the plan anyway, we’ll see.
This Is Autism
Tonight’s guest post comes from Lauren who’s on twitter as @womanwithbaby and also @SquarePegCIC, a not-for-profit company producing autism awareness Tshirts and bags.
A busy lady and I’m really pleased to be including her post below:
We Have Autism
People say my daughter has Autism but that is an understatement, we have Autism as a family. One person out of a family containing Mum and two children cannot have Autism alone.
Autism is like an invisible field that shrouds our family and whilst I don’t hate it like many others it does affect every aspect of our lives.
A trip out is not simple, will it be busy, will I be able to let the little lady out of her pushchair to stretch her legs, will she be able to escape, will I be able to let her younger brother out while watching her, will there be food there (she is renowned for stealing peoples food and while in SEN situations it’s cute, in a Weatherspoon’s it is not!) will there be any water for her to pour or climb in? This list is endless and often she is confined to her chair for her safety and her brother’s. For the most part she doesn’t seem to mind but as she can’t speak I don’t really know this.
Autism spreads through our extended family who thankfully make exceptions for (and totally accept) their granddaughter/great-grandaughter/niece and the chaos that a visit from us can create.
Anyone who thinks our life is hard because of Autism is wrong and I strongly advise they borrow my NT son for the afternoon if they want to see hard work! It’s simply different, it’s a little less sociable and a bit more thought out but it’s also eye-opening.
We have met some of our best friends who totally accept us and our dynamic because of our diagnosis, I have learnt so much about the world of disability to which I was previously utterly ignorant and even set up a business relating to community which 3 years ago I knew nothing.
Do I worry about the future? Of course but doesn’t everyone? I just worry about different things I guess, I guess the old saying “Different not less” is very apt.
4 Comments
disqus_dlaTZXJpfW on 20th April 2014 at 8:25 pm.
Great post xx take care
Jeannette on 23rd April 2014 at 9:09 pm.
Thanks lovely x
rebecca beesley on 1st May 2014 at 1:52 pm.
Gosh that list of things to consider when going out brings back memories. I had to think through every little detail when J was younger – especially relating to water!!! We still need to think things through but slightly different questions now (although water still features!) xxx
Jeannette on 7th May 2014 at 5:53 pm.
Very true, I never thought I’d still have copious lists when we go out but it does make for an easier trip x