Teamwork and Grandma H’s guest post #ThisIsAutism
By Jeannette | April 2, 2014
World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) today and I’ve chosen a post from @HildaWheeler tonight as it seemed very, very appropriate.
But first, our day:
A few years ago, I was at a mainstream nursery sports day for D’s class. D had been looking forward to it for weeks, she’d been practising with her TA and on the morning, I helped her get dressed. All seemed well.
I’d arranged that D would come out with her TA a little later so that she wouldn’t be in the excited rush of children and it was a shy, scared, anxiety-ridden D that eventually appeared, overcome by the sheer volume of people and the excited noises of children participating and it was all too much. She bolted repeatedly. Her TA and I did D’s sports day between ourselves, one participating and the other on bolt-prevention and cuddles administration.
Such a contrast to today, after having fast-forwarded a few years past a statement allocation and her acceptance into a SN school.
D participated in an inter-school para tournament today! Away from school grounds, amongst other SN pupils from other areas and she loved it! She participated in many sports, enjoyed herself and her relay team (teamwork, how absolutely wonderful!!) won silver medals! She was tired but extremely happy when I collected her. As we are. She’s come a long way from that over-whelmed, bolting little girl.
Today (WAAD) is all about becoming aware of autism but acceptance is just as important. It is a big ask to expect someone to look beyond their initial perceptions and try not to pre-judge, but autism and its other variances require empathy, understanding and acceptance.
If you are reading my blog for the first time tonight, thank you and please consider reading further some of my pages.
This Is Autism:
During the guest posts I’m including in April, I wanted to feature experiences and views from a variety of people connected with the spectrum. I only know Hilda (@HildaWheeler) through twitter and she is someone I definitely wanted to include. Her post will touch your heart as it touched mine. It’s very appropriate for today.
Grandma H’s story:
“On Monday, as we were going out for the day with our eldest daughter her phone rang.
I was irritated as we take her out once a month to give her a break. It was her son’s school, just to inform her that Joshua seemed very tired, they were letting him nap and then review him at lunch but there was no need to fetch him then. As it happened they kept him all day.
However he was sick during the night and the doctor has said he has a viral infection. It’s not unusual for him to be tired as he sleeps very little, consequently neither does my daughter.
You see, Joshua has non verbal autism and learning difficulties. As he doesn’t talk, it is always a worry when he’s not well as it’s difficult to know what the matter is. When he was diagnosed it wasn’t a surprise as we had already realised.
Nevertheless I was worried sick, I see and read of older disabled individuals being abused. What will happen to him when he’s an adult? What if he never talks (he’s seven now)? He’s still in napkins, what if he never gets toilet trained? He still has milk in a bottle, should he still be doing this?
I worry about my daughter, how long can she keep giving him 24hr care? Will her husband have to give up work? What then? I should mention she’s an older mum (52).
I found it hard to bond as he doesn’t make eye contact or play all the things I used to play with my other grandchildren.
One day we took him to a sensory garden. He enjoyed running round and all the coloured Perspex windows but didn’t really acknowledge we were there.
On the way home he suddenly leant over to his aunty and gave her a kiss and then pulled my sleeve and gave me a kiss.
I realised then he is just the same as all little boys inside and I am full of hope one day he will be able to tell us so.
Grandma H”
Thank you Hilda. Her post tells of the worries, the fears that parents/carers feel but, at the end, how something can turn it around and gives hope, hope that momentarily outweighs everything else.
I still have a few spaces available if anyone would like to feature, please email me at autismmumma at aol dot com with details.
Thanks for reading Jx
4 Comments
Kate Holmes on 2nd April 2014 at 8:30 pm.
You amaze me all the time and a 1lb is nothing when you are being a fabulous mum. Much love! @kateonthinice
Jeannette on 8th April 2014 at 7:36 pm.
Thanks so much for that lovely comment Kate 🙂
rebecca beesley on 26th April 2014 at 9:01 pm.
that guest post brought a tear to my eye. And well done to D for the tournament! x
Jeannette on 1st May 2014 at 9:38 am.
Thank you, I have been so pleased that so many wanted to share their stories, it has been wonderful x