Training our assistance dog during lockdown
Some might think it’s odd to train your own assistance dog. I mean, surely the point of having an assistance dog is to make an already difficult life easier? And
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Monthly Columnist
Talking all things autism, advocacy, home ed, dating, single parenting and much much more…
Looking forward to a fairer future
Happy June, all. I truly do mean happy because, although we are living in such odd times, I feel and hope that June marks a month where we gently tiptoe
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Training our assistance dog during lockdown
Some might think it’s odd to train your own assistance dog. I mean, surely the point of having an assistance dog is to make an already difficult life easier? And
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What I have learnt during lockdown
Hello all! As we head towards the end of April, I’ve had some time to think about how I would usually have spent it. Normally, we would be banging the
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Autism, communication and the coronavirus
I normally start my monthly column with a ‘so, how’s your month going?’ I don’t think that really applies this month because we all know how it’s going. The coronavirus
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Asking for help and Dogs for Autism
So, have we all survived what felt like the longest January ever? I wasn’t sure it would ever end. But February is here at last. And it feels that perhaps
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Teaching self-love and being savvy
Happy Valentine’s Day to all you lovers, mothers, fathers and caregivers alike. When your world consists of being responsible for someone spectacular who relies on you for the kind of
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The value of a diagnosis
Time and time again one of the most common questions parents ask me is ‘Why should I seek an autism diagnosis for my child?’ The concerns parents have are often
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Public appointments and inclusivity
Happy October! It’s personally one of my favourite months of the year; the weather turns crisp but not freezing, the onesies and fluffy socks are now appropriate to wear in
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Sex, screenings and inclusion
How is everyone’s September going? Kids’ back to school, college or home ed duties ramping up again? I hear you. I am writing to you after taking a break from
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Preparing now for the new school year
How’s everyone’s August going? Having the time of your life on holidays and days out? Or juggling work, childcare and that immeasurable pressure of making perfect family memories like a
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Preparing for your summer holiday
Being a home ed Mum, I am expecting July and August to be much different this year. Rather than it being a time to access theme parks, airports and holidays
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Planning your will when you have a disabled child
Hello everyone and welcome to what looks to be like a beautiful sunny June! This month, I’m going to be talking about wills which isn’t as upbeat and joyous as
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How home education helped us
I’m peeking my head out to see if it’s May now and the overwhelm of April’s Autism Awareness Month is over? Hurrah it’s May! There is much to be excited
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Autism Awareness Month – Do’s and Dont’s
I am normally extremely organised and timely when it comes to writing my monthly column for My Family, Our Needs. Alas, this month, I’m a bit eleventh hour with it.
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SEN parenting is a relay not a sprint
This month I am writing to you from Geneva. From the hotel lobby awaiting our taxi to the airport to be precise. It’s at times like these when I feel
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Sleep deprivation and nailing home education
January is a hard month for everyone, right? It’s freezing, it feels like there are about 700 Mondays and payday is a distant memory. It’s been a tough one for
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Introducing our new monthly columnist
Hello, my name is Carly Jones, I’m autistic. I didn’t know I was until adulthood. I have no diagnosable learning disabilities and am an expert ‘masker’ so my autism stayed
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