The Threads of Life

#1 An honest and real episode talking as a parent about the broad areas in which autistic individuals struggle in varying and often very stressing ways ie anxiety, medication, self injurious behaviours. Looking at the advice on cognition, behaviour parents have been given/told to do from the top down to the more current learning from the bottom up, that is from autistic people themselves and the knowledge the their struggles are often moor based and not having full control of their bodies.

#2 N/A

#3

0:00 Intro

1:00 looking for and understanding the why to unwanted behaviours

1:17 classroom example

9:03 parent persecution

11:14 cognition, behaviour & motor control

14:02 anxiety

18:25 medications

25:00 SIB - self injurious behaviour

35:00 comfort and support

#4

• you are not a bad parent and nor is your child a bad one either.
• looking for and understanding the why to unwanted behaviours.
• parents being squeezed between advice/instruction from the top down and the newer learning from the actually autistic voices ie the bottom up.
• anxiety and witnessing, coping, surviving, supporting & medicating.
• medicating your autistic child
• SIB - self injurious behaviour and interpreting it, reacting to it, helping your child.
• reassurance, comfort and support for parents.

#5 Calls to Action

pre-roll: none

mid-roll: email me anytime, blog, newsletter and website reference

end-roll: tag line

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#8 Communication Funnies - the joy of the autistic mind

#1 An episode at times emotional, at times funny, on what it takes to plan and go on holiday with autistic children. Feeling the strain as parents of the too long school summer holidays especially for autistic children. Why it is so hard, routines and regulation, not feeling guilty & remembering our own childhood memories of the family unit on holiday no matter where or what type. What exactly goes into preparing for, planning and actually going on holiday example re flying. Why queues can be a problem and learning to adjust an do what works for you, the main caregiver and your autistic child(ren). How others can help ease the strain.

#2 N/A

#3

0:00 Intro

3:55 childhood memories

8:35 and children deserve to be on holiday with their family

11:48 wider family holidays and getting help/respite

17:04 The family Unit

18:49 A feeling off to all parents

19:17 Do what works for you

21:52 routines and regulation

24:45 Queues and the literal mind

25:30 what actually got sinot planning and going on holiday with autistic children

32:18 How you/public can help

#4

• school summer holidays are too long, parents last a couple of weeks
• childhood memories no matter what type of holiday are always good
• autistic children deserve to be going on holiday too
• wider family holidays and getting help/respite
• doing what works for your family unit
• routines and regulation
• queues and the literal mind
• how others can help ease things

#5 Calls to Action

pre-roll: please share this podcast far and wide

mid-roll: none (hint of podcast guests and siblings topic); blog reference & website

end-roll: what to expect re Aug

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#8 Are you a bad parent if your autistic child is anxious, harms, doesn't sleep...?

#1 Personal stories, anecdotes and experiences as a parent of an autistic, nonverbal, adhd boy called Henry. Talking about whether or not it is true that one cannot say 'no' to an autistic child, why that might be and what we and you and others can do about it & how we can help autistic individuals with overwhelm, disappointment and getting used to boundaries.

#2 N/A

#3 0:00 Intro

1:05(long version) & 3:30 (short version) personal story

7:15 why might it be difficult to say 'no' to an autistic child

9:48 Instagram account reference/story

13:15 what can you/we do to help - personal experiences & examples

17:34 experiencing overwhelm and meltdowns

21:19 boundaries

#4 saying 'NO' to an autistic child

• personal story
• is it true?
• why?
• how you/we can help
• overwhelm & meltdowns
• boundaries
• staying sane as a parent

#5 calls to action:

• newsletter & blogs on website in pre-roll
• email me anytime [email protected] mid-roll
• social media follow request end-roll

#6 references

IG @raising_emma_bear

@autismthreads

#7 N/A

#8 Holidays & what we live through

#1 This podcast is not about telling anyone what they should or shouldn't do, what is or isn't right & bombarding you who information leaving you feeling deflated, tired, not good enough. This podcast does not provide any answers it's a just a conversation with a friend on the sofa with a coffee in hand, someone who knows what you are living & does not judge. Something to resonate with and feel less isolated about. Needless to say, there are no straight answers about when or how or even if re telling your child they are autistic. Accepting autism in a child goes hand in hand with finding the right school so there is advice on how to approach school visits and why they are so important.

#2 N/A

#3

0:00 Intro

2:52 Future guests to share how/if they told their child they were autistic

4:08 No right time & no right way. No judgement.

4:42 T-shirt call to action: crowded noisy places can make me anxious, thanks for understanding.

7:23 Knowing you are autistic is illuminating

10:37 Siblings story

13:41 The Kent Autistic Trust (family liaison officer)

14:25 Books

16:22 School visits (must have an echo and booking a visit can take months)

21:41 Hearing your child is not the right fit (Autism specialist schools)

25:51 Wrap up and tips

#4

• No right time to tell a child they are autistic, your opinion as a parent matters
• we all come to unconditional acceptance & positivity in our time at various ages
• no judgement
• My sons autism and his siblings becoming aware of his autism
• recommended books
• school visits: process, types, questions, knowhow, open minds

#5

• business reference re markets
• sensory caption t-shirt: crowded noisy places can make me anxious thanks for understanding.

#6 Books:

A Different kind of Brilliant by Louise Cummins

The Brain Forest by Sandhya Menon

We're not Broken - changing the autism conversation by Eric Garcia

Changing Our Minds - how children can take control of their own learning by Naomi Fisher

Lost at School by Ross W Greene

Queerly Autistic by Erin Ekins (LGBTQIA & teens on the spectrum)

Different Not less by Chloe Hayden (for girls on the spectrum)

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#8 Episode 7: saying 'no' to an autistic child

#1 A light hearted episode on understanding non verbal versus verbal autism & what it's like to have a child who does not use words to communicate. The language, as in words we all choose to use & why they are so important. Tips for those who do not know how to ask a parent of an autistic child about their child's autism & always assuming full competence. The challenges parents of non speaking autistic children are no harder or easier than those of more functioning children. The ever changing terminology around autism & learning from the autistic community on how they like to be addressed.

#2 N/A

#3

0:00 Intro

A conversation killer

What not to ask or say to the parent of an autistic child: tips 1-5

Autism Journeys

Communication & assuming competence

Terminology and choosing your words

#4

• what communicating with a non verbal autistic child is like
• Tips for others on what not to say or ask parents of autistic children
• Choosing your words & assuming competence, always
• Terminology
• Autism is a journey not a verdict - podcast recommendation

#5 Calls to Action

See website for blogs of podcast episodes

Share this podcast with friends, family, colleagues

Fashion for a cause tops & T-shirts on website

#6

Uniquely Human, the Podcast: Episode Title - Autism is a journey NOT a verdict

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uniquely-human-the-podcast/id1532460901

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#8 Telling your child they are autistic & planning school visits

#1 A parent's take & advice on finding the right school for your autistic child. Helping to set expectations ie your child is probably going to change schools more than the usual once; timings and lengthy delays/waitlists; the fight to both prove your child's special educational needs and then getting those needs met. Types of autism Specialist schools, a description of the EHCP and beginning of that process through the Local Authority (LA), the laws on which the SEN system is based & why it is so difficult to even get to stage 1 in todays world.

#2 N/A

#3

0:00 Intro

00:41 personal/parent advice on what to expect

8:55 the lingo - abbreviations explained

11:26 EHCP Tip

19:00 private reports

21:40 types of schools

33:38 sign up to newsletter

#4

• It takes time, hard work & know that your child will probably change schools
• There will be only a very either teachers/TA's/SENCO's who get your child & support
• Your LA has all the power and there are boxes that need to be ticked so always, always be polite
• The system is indeed broken - inundated, under-staffed, ill equipped staff, budget strapped, over-worked so you will having to prove need ie what your child cannot do (that peers his/her own age can).
• The laws on which the system is based are solid, good, well intended and exceptional in the UK
• Explaining the lingo and what certain abbreviations in the system are incl. EHCP's
• Avenues to choose in terms of applying for an EHCP for your child.
• The SEN system is not means tested ie you cannot simply approach an independent/private specialist provision & offer to pay fees. You have to use the EHCP process.
• Types of specialist schools
• EHCP basics and starting points and how you are going to need to stay on top of it.

#5 Calls to Action: signing up to website newsletter at www.autismthreads.co.uk + show notes.

#6 Links:

https://autismthreads.co.uk

https://ehcpjourneys.com

https://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/special-educational-needs

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2001/10/contents

https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs

TA = teaching or classroom assistant

SEN = Special Education Need

SEND = Special Education Needs Department

SENCO = Special Education Needs Co-ordinator (in schools)

LA = Local Authority or Council

EHCP = Education (school), Health (medical) & Care (social services) Plan

Ed Psych = Educational Psychologist

SlT or SALT = Speech & Language Therapist

OT = Occupational Therapist

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#8 Next Episode: Visiting an Autism Specialist School & EHCP tips.

#1

Acknowledging that we all judge. The type of judgement autistic individuals & their parents receive being largely socially related ie for having different, odd, unusual mannerisms, language, movement, social interaction skills. What we as parents to autistic children want others to do about it. Actual examples so that others can know what it feels like, empathise properly and want to then tell their own families and friends or people they meet about. It all comes down to information, understanding, acceptance.

#2 N/A

#3

0:00 Intro

2:08 something to be in awe of re autistic people

3:58 website reference re visual cues/prodcuts

5:28 social norms "Hi, how are you?'" "I'm fine thanks"

6:48 what parents of autistic children want you to do

19:59 NO APOLOGY slogan T-shirt: fashion for a cause

25:15 How to leave a review

#4

• we all judge
• want parents of autistic children want
• what is that judgement exactly, examples
• daily reminders, rituals, mindfulness

#5 Calls to Action:

• Autism Threads website for products to help give others information to not judge
• NO APOLOGY unisex slogan T-shirt
• How to leave a review

#6

https://autismthreads.co.uk

https://autismthreads.co.uk/collections/adult-t-shirts-autism/products/ladies-long-fit-no-apology-slogan-tee

https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/threads-of-autism-5245925

#7 N/A

#8

Next Episode...4: Finding the Right School & EHCP basics

#1

From a parents perspective, what the symptoms & criteria for an autism diagnosis are & how one goes about that. Reactions & comfort knowing how hard it is not to panic. Your child is going to be ok, they are exactly who they are meant to be.

#2 n/a

#3

0:00 Intro

1:33 Nothing is wrong with your child.

9:20 The backpack!

12:01 Criteria

22:42 Tips for parents struggling at home

#4

• don't panic
• diagnosis & criteria
• early intervention
• regulation tips
• getting help

#5

Subscribe to the podcast to receive access tot eh show notes & more.

Leave a review on www.podchaser.com "Threads of Autism"

Follow social media accounts @autismthreads

#6

• The National Autistic Society aka NAS (diagnostic criteria)

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/diagnostic-criteria

• Children who have Special educational needs (SEND)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-guide-for-parents-and-carers

BOOKS: The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida; Neurotribes by Steve Silberman; Connecting & communications with your autistic child by Act for Autism (Tessa Morton & Jane Gurnett.

Imagine If Bespoke Education Experience - Singapore (Pika Sen)

#7 n/a

#8 Next Episode

"Judgement & what it feels like"

Trish O'Dwyer largely solo hosts 20-30 min fortnightly on Fridays episodes about life as a parent to an autistic nonverbal or non-speaking adhd boy called Henry. It will be story telling in a very real, honest, sometimes funny and sometimes quite raw way. Topics will be things like autism diagnosis and beginnings; judgement & how that feels; EHCP's; relationships; transitions; sleep deprivation and so much more.

Trish who was born in South Africa to an Australian Mum and then married an Englishman, has three children and who now lives with in Kent describes who she is and why she set up her own small business helping to support autism families & charities plus raise positive awareness of autism.

Why a podcast? A bit about her journey discovering her son's autism and the isolation that came with it wanting others to feel validated, less isolated and connected to someone who knows exactly what they are going through because she lives it too. Telling it like it is basically in a very informal way from a parents perspective & celebrating who our children are and who they were always meant to be.

Being a parent is a journey. Parenting an autistic child, of any age, makes that journey one of discovery, fascination & wonder. The highs & lows, challenges & joys can be unique & intense. We parents tend to have very little free time & can feel both exhausted & isolated.

Bringing you Friday fortnightly 20 minute episodes to resonate with, feel validated by, find useful & maybe even have you sharing a good laugh or cry. I hope you feel supported & know that you are not alone.

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