The A Word Archives - RachelSwirl

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 …

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 …

April Is Autism Awareness Month

by RachelSwirl April 1, 2016

April Is Autism Awareness Month, for those of you that don’t know what Autism is now is the chance to research, find out and raise your own awareness of the condition. Here are some facts taken directly from www.autism.org.uk which you find helpful: The term ‘autism‘ is used here to describe all diagnoses on the autism spectrum including classic autism, Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism. Autism is a serious, lifelong and disabling condition. Without the right support, it can have a profound – sometimes devastating – effect on individuals and families. Autism is much more common than many people think. There are around 700,000 people …

The A Word & Eating Out

by RachelSwirl March 29, 2016

Its been a fairly uneventful Easter so far, whilst some of the fault for this lies with us for being far too relaxed rather than taking the kids here, there and everywhere as we normally do during the holidays. The main reason for our lazy outlook has been down to the weather. We would much rather stay in and keep warm and dry as the weather has been utter crud, we have had everything that the sky can throw at us from sunshine to rain to hail and even some flurries of snow for good measure! I thought it was …