Over the last three years I have had the privilege of writing blogs for SASI. Each of the blogs have come from my own personal experience in raising a child who is on the spectrum. They’ve also been influenced by friends who have children with autism or who themselves have an autism diagnosis.
During this time, I’ve researched many things about autism in order to ensure the blogs were not just about my child, but they were also relevant to other children on the spectrum and included statistical and scientific evidence where appropriate. The process has been extremely educational for me and I’ve learned many things about autism, myself, my child and other people who live with autism every day.
It has been reassuring to find that many of the challenges that autism parents face are shared. Our children are individuals with their own personalities, interests and quirks. We love them and no matter what, we will always support them. Autism parents are the strongest advocates for their child. You know your child better than anyone else on the planet. You love them unconditionally and will always put their needs before your own.
Writing these blogs is extremely cathartic and therapeutic for me. It helps me to reflect on things that happen in life, to learn and to grow as a mother and as a person. To write about autism helps me to get things out of my head and onto paper in a way that has helped me to deal with my own feelings and emotions. It could be compared to sitting on a couch in the psychologists’ office and sharing my inner most thoughts. Yet I was actually sitting at my desk typing out whatever comes to me in that moment and posting it online sharing it with you and anyone else who decided to read it.
Over the years I have written about a wide range of topics including:
- How visual aids can help children with autism
- Strategies to cope with sensory overload
- Tips for your child’s next dental visit
- How a pet can become your child’s best friend
- Tips for a positive visit to the hairdresser
- Living with an autistic sibling
- Preparing for life with autism after school
- Tips for teaching children with autism
- To medicate or not to medicate
- Managing aggressive behaviour in autistic teens
- How to positively encourage your child
- Tips for travelling with your autistic child
- Bed wetting strategies
- Being diagnosed with autism as an adult
- Love on the spectrum
- Cooking for autism, and more…
I have been able to share these blogs with you and with my friends, teachers and teaching aides at my son’s school and my son’s support team who we are fortunate to have working with us thanks to the funding we receive from the NDIS. It really is a privilege and it’s heart-warming to know that these blogs are well received.
If you have any ideas for future blogs please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at SASI by emailing [email protected].
