autism Archives - RachelSwirl

#TheOrdinaryMoments – Beach Battles

by RachelSwirl June 21, 2020

This looks like a fun-filled fabulous photo, right? WRONG! A picture only captures a split second, a moment in time, and whilst this split-second appears to capture two smiling, happy children, let me just fill you in on the thirty minutes prior to this photo being taken… Last week we had a series of rather impressive thunderstorms, one of which our daughter heard the faint onset of whilst out on a walk with her Dad, brother, and our basset. It was the tiniest rumble of thunder, yet E’s rather sudden and extreme response was to quite literally force her way …

Celebrating Differences During World Autism Awareness Week

by RachelSwirl April 2, 2018

We are all different, we may share similarities but there isn’t a single one of us that is the same. Difference is something which should be celebrated, no matter what that difference may be. We are each unique in our own right. After all, if we were all to be the same, the World would be a rather boring place to be. This week is ‘Autism Awareness Week’, today being the key day within that week to highlight autism, raising awareness of the condition. As part of ‘Autism Awareness Week’ my children and I took part in a sponsored walk …

Hello Homework

by RachelSwirl November 16, 2017

Earlier today I enjoyed lunch with the ladies (my good friends Vicky and Viv) to celebrate Viv turning twenty-one yet again. It’s not often that we meet up but when we do whether it’s a few hours over lunch or a full day out on the razz we sure have some fun. Having stuffed my face like a p-i-g I made my way to pick up the children whom were rather disappointed to see my ugly mug rather than their Nana. The kids are yet to adapt to my shift changes which often results in pleas to see their Grandparents …

World Autism Awareness Week 2017

by RachelSwirl April 1, 2017

Did you know that we are in the midst of ‘World Autism Awareness Week’? It seems perfectly timed given that BBC film crews have rocked up in our neighbouring village today to begin shooting a second series of ‘The A Word‘. Whilst Autism may mean very little to you, it is highly likely that somebody within your friends or family is in some way affected by autism. According to statistics around 700,00 people within the UK are on the autism spectrum. Together with their families this means that autism is a part of 2.8 million people’s daily lives. Whilst you may …

Diagnosis Delivered

by RachelSwirl September 30, 2016

The Waiting Game It’s been almost five and half years since I first suspected that our son may be on the spectrum. Since then we have battled our way through endless appointments, travelled hundreds of miles and have spent what feels like forever waiting for a diagnosis. It doesn’t seem right that diagnosing a child with any issue should take five years, whilst ASD may be a complex disorder it isn’t something which I myself see as particularly difficult in identifying. It is simply the lack of services that seems to cause the hold up and that is not just …