Can you swim? When did you learn? Were you inspired by watching one of the Olympic greats winning a clutch of medals at an Olympic Games, maybe smashing a World Record or two on the way? When you started to swim, taking those first, tentative steps into the water, could you immediately swim like AdamContinue reading “Just Keep Swimming…”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
The Neurodiverse Coke Can
There is a great analogy that helps to explain why neurodiverse children (e.g. who are Autistic, or have ADHD) are perceived to be able to ‘cope’ and be ‘fine’ at school, but can become overwhelmed by the time they get home. There are so many stories about children who appear to be totally different in these two settings; the coke can analogy helps us understand why… Here’s Jack’s story.
Fathers’ Day – The Dads Collection!
On Sunday 19th June it is Fathers’ Day. A day which will be celebrated by some, mourned by others, a day of mixed emotions for more. Writing as ‘The Additional Needs Blogfather’, and as Founder of ‘The Dads’ Fire Circle’, Dads of children and young people with additional needs and disabilities have always been closeContinue reading “Fathers’ Day – The Dads Collection!”
Busting Ten Autism Myths
Busting Ten Autism Myths There are an awful lots of Autism myths out there; most are ridiculous, some would actually be quite funny if they weren’t so harmful, but they do seem to somehow persist in the national consciousness. So, here’s my guide to the top ten Autism myths and how we can bust them:Continue reading “Busting Ten Autism Myths”
Supporting Special Needs Dads
There’s a rare breed that with some notable exceptions we don’t get to see so much of. A group of people that can often slip off the radar and go unnoticed. A demographic that rarely gets a mention in the chat forums or magazines. Special needs Dads. In my day job I provide training andContinue reading “Supporting Special Needs Dads”
Leaving Lockdown: Learning To Listen To Each Other, Our Children, And Ourselves
We are surrounded by noise, whether it is the noise of people around us, the constant noise of technology, the noise of kitchen appliances, the noise of cars and trucks, emergency vehicles, planes and trains. There is noise everywhere and perhaps that is one reason why we’ve become less good at listening… listening to eachContinue reading “Leaving Lockdown: Learning To Listen To Each Other, Our Children, And Ourselves”
Are You Feeling Exhausted?
We will soon be at the anniversary of the beginning of the first COVID-19 lockdown, which began with Boris Johnson’s address to the nation on the 23rd March 2020. A year on, and still in the third lockdown, every day seems the same; many of us are feeling a weariness, an overwhelming sense of exhaustion. ItContinue reading “Are You Feeling Exhausted?”
Washing My Autistic Sons’ Feet
James, my autistic son, gets cold feet. Sometimes this is because he often prefers to go barefoot, sometimes this is because his blood circulation isn’t as good as it might be, or maybe it’s a combination of the two. He likes to have his feet rubbed, to warm them up, but he has also enjoyedContinue reading “Washing My Autistic Sons’ Feet”
12 Days Of Additional Needs Christmas
Traditionally, the twelve days of Christmas start on Christmas Day and run on until January 6th which is ‘Epiphany’ or ‘Three Kings’ Day, the day that marks the arrival of the three wise men in the nativity story. It’s also usually the day when all the Christmas decorations come down. I thought it would be funContinue reading “12 Days Of Additional Needs Christmas”
Parents Out Of Fuel
Some days stay in the memory a long time, this one I will never forget; it was the day that I learned what a terrific sense of humour God has! And I was on the receiving end. As so many stories do, this one started quite simply… A long time before the word ‘lockdown’ had become theContinue reading “Parents Out Of Fuel”
The Dads' Fire Circle 