Today has been my first day sans les enfants since the middle of March. It’s been so peaceful but typically, the hours have whizzed by.   Cravings Are things going back to normal? I don’t know. I never watch or read the news, don’t take anyones opinions as gospel and have spent the last few months just residing inside my familial bubble, taking care of the crew and getting by the best we can. I’m not sure I’ve done an amazing job but everyone seems to have coped, just about.   I’m now craving the things I miss most from my normal. For example, I miss the gym so much. My god ..read more

Jude’s first day in House 2 I’m really nervous. I feel a little bit like I’m betraying Jude this half term as we’re keeping a secret from him that I know is going to cause confusion.  Jude returns to school on Sunday but he won’t be going to his usual house. A few weeks ago, the school suggested a change of provision for him. And I have to say I agreed without a second thought. Not because there’s anything wrong with the home he’s been staying in. Far from it, I can’t praise everyone enough for everything they’ve done for him over the last two years. I know he isn’t the easiest of childr ..read more

  I took Jude to the dentist a couple of weeks ago and as usual, it was quite the experience. Jude had struggled in the morning at school, had a full on meltdown before I arrived but typical for him, flew out of it in a positive fashion. Ever the extreme… We’ve been through a few dentists in our time. Mostly bad experiences but this last one was absolutely the polar opposite. Perhaps because it was set in an NHS clinic and not a private surgery, they maybe have a wider variety (shall we say) of clientele. Arriving at reception, the ladies at the desk were really lovely, chatted to Jude a ..read more

  Holding Elsa for the first time back in December 2010 brought on some really odd feelings. She was the baby I had always thought I’d have when Jude was born and ever since then has shown me the way that most parents experience raising children. “Normal parenthood.” The experience I guess everyone expects to have when they initially start thinking about having children. No-one ever thinks about the possibility of having a child with additional needs.   Don’t get me wrong, I literally couldn’t love Jude any more than I already do. He’s perfect in his own Jude-like way just as Elsa a ..read more

What is Intensive interaction? Intensive interaction is a therapy technique designed by David Hewitt to support individuals at the earliest levels of development. It’s primarily aimed at people with autism as well as those with severe or complex learning disabilities. Intensive interaction encourages individuals to interact and communicate. At a basic level it supports social interaction, encourages individuals to enjoy the company of others, teaches how to take turns and how to communicate through words as well as movements. It encourages the good behaviour and allows the therapy leader ..read more

Starting out… I received an email this week from someone starting out on a search for the best school for their child. It brought back memories of a few years ago when I didn’t have a clue where to begin, who to speak to or even what was a likely outcome from all our hard work. I knew what I wanted for Jude and what I felt was best for him but wasn’t sure if we could achieve it.   One thing that was highlighted in the email and is mentioned to me regularly is the fact I often talk about the constant guilt I feel about the choices I’ve made for Jude. Today, I just wanted to throw some ..read more

  Today has been my first day sans les enfants since the middle of March. It’s been so peaceful but typically, the hours have whizzed by.   Cravings Are things going back to normal? I don’t know. I never watch or read the news, don’t take anyones opinions as gospel and have spent the last few months just residing inside my familial bubble, taking care of the crew and getting by the best we can. I’m not sure I’ve done an amazing job but everyone seems to have coped, just about.   I’m now craving the things I miss most from my normal. For example, I miss the gym so much. My god ..read more

  Today has been my first day sans les enfants since the middle of March. It’s been so peaceful but typically, the hours have whizzed by.   Cravings Are things going back to normal? I don’t know. I never watch or read the news, don’t take anyones opinions as gospel and have spent the last few months just residing inside my familial bubble, taking care of the crew and getting by the best we can. I’m not sure I’ve done an amazing job but everyone seems to have coped, just about.   I’m now craving the things I miss most from my normal. For example, I miss the gym so much. My god ..read more

Jude’s first day in House 2 I’m really nervous. I feel a little bit like I’m betraying Jude this half term as we’re keeping a secret from him that I know is going to cause confusion.  Jude returns to school on Sunday but he won’t be going to his usual house. A few weeks ago, the school suggested a change of provision for him. And I have to say I agreed without a second thought. Not because there’s anything wrong with the home he’s been staying in. Far from it, I can’t praise everyone enough for everything they’ve done for him over the last two years. I know he isn’t the easiest of children (u ..read more

  I took Jude to the dentist a couple of weeks ago and as usual, it was quite the experience. Jude had struggled in the morning at school, had a full on meltdown before I arrived but typical for him, flew out of it in a positive fashion. Ever the extreme… We’ve been through a few dentists in our time. Mostly bad experiences but this last one was absolutely the polar opposite. Perhaps because it was set in an NHS clinic and not a private surgery, they maybe have a wider variety (shall we say) of clientele. Arriving at reception, the ladies at the desk were really lovely, chatted to Jude and an ..read more