Autism... warts and all Nicola Parker

April is the time for Autism Awareness and like  others, I've been (through the form of social media ) posting on the subject.  I don't suppose I'm alone but I do recognise there's a lot going on in the world right now and that means that we are all preoccupied !  Whilst I feel passionate about the subject being a mother of 2 boys with autism, it doesn't mean that that everyone is, and that's ok!

However, if like our family you are affected by autism and/or would like to know more, I'm extending an invitation to you to attend a play this week called "The A Typical Sibling" being performed by a young theatre company called Pound of Flesh.  If you're in or around South London and fancy coming along to watch an example of gig theatre, they'd be thrilled to see you. 

I must apologise for the fact that I haven't blogged in weeks.  A family bereavement and a fair amount of infections have been doing the rounds but life goes on and whether we like it or not, we have to wake up, smell the coffee and despite upset and heartbreak, there's a need to go on and get myself together for the benefit of 2 very vulnerable young people who rely on me to get my act together.



I'm back....with stories on how we deal with the challenges of autism. Hope you find it useful x

I know, we are sick of hearing about it aren't we?  We've fallen victim to it, Max last Saturday and me, today.  I'm feeling ok right now with the help of water and paracetamol but Max has had quite the week.  The NHS are amazing, so uncomplaining and patient and taking care of so many people right now, its incredible to watch them in action.

I had one or two though that showed themselves to be anxious, a little intolerant, and one that floated in and out like a butterfly.

Nurses are like ourselves, human beings at the end of the day.  I'M not criticising, just glad that these super heroes have frailties like us all xx

We lost my mum almost 2 weeks ago now.  It's been rough few weeks but I'm thinking about ways in which I can keep her memory alive.  I know she will be watching over the boys.  Whilst its difficult for them to understand bereavement,  I hope they will always sense that there is someone looking out for them and that we will take private moments where we can just simply be together in the way she would have wanted us to be, calm, still and at peace within ourselves x

You may have read the other flu jab blogs but finally we managed to get Max jabbed although I think the sedation may need re-evaluation as the after affects result in Max shouting rather loudly until the early hours of the morning!



Read on, all will be revealed!

Thursday afternoon was a tough one, Josh came out of school in absolute floods of tears because staff had to make him put an iPad away and he found that a massive challenge.  At home I tend to let autism be, I tend to allow him to do what he has to do in order to make him happy.  His OCD is something that really can be insurmountable especially when we are approaching the end of school term because of tiredness and the need for a break and so I wondered whether that could have been behind the distress.  Normal service has been resumed but read on if you can identify with this because of your young person, hopefully it will have the desired effect and let you know that someone, somewhere has similar experiences and that as parents/carers, we are not alone! Take care x