Tell me you're a parent of a ND child without telling me...

I currently have drool on my hair from a child. None of them are under five.

I've been on holiday every year to the exact same place, at the exact same time of year, for 17 years.

People assume my eldest can babysit my youngest when really I could also do with a babysitter for them, not that anyone's lining up for the job!

Those moments are precious 💖

We ate white meat for years as my son would have a complete meltdown at the word "chicken." He even shouted at the television if someone on there said the word.

When he was 20 he had CBT with a fantastic therapist who was experienced at working with people with autism and she finally got him to accept "chicken" and all the other words beginning with "ch",that had been so problematic for so long.

I will love that woman for ever.

This issue came up at one of the family support courses and the experienced dentist said as long as the amount of fluoride is 1450 (shown on back of tube) then that's fine. The fruity flavours all seem to be for little teeth, niche in market there ! Xx

That's so funny! Doesn't tje school allow for sensory needs? Xx

Love him!

That will be because they aren’t worn in and soft. Pull at the material a bit and use fabric softener

Oh yes that one! Nope, tore it down and had a meltdown.

Space invaders here! X

Thank you all so much, I can identify completely! There seem to be many common themes, also quite a few unique ones. I'm sure you all agree any small step forward is a big achievement. Can I ask a couple of questions please?

Has anyone been through the teenage years yet?

If they have defiance refusal disorder, has it improved with age?

I've been on so many courses, interventions, everything to try to help our dc but it's so enlightening hearing from other parents.

Thank you. 😊 xx

"Why is she holding a book if she can't read, are you sure she can't read'

'She looked at me, how can she be autistic she looked at me and made eye contact'.

My daughter is now an adult, still non verbal, severe learning disabled and needs 2 to 1 carers when out and about and needs care for toileting, bathing etc. Highly complex behaviour needs but when young the number of people who'd said she'd grow out of it, they usually do when she finds her 'thing/interest' ... she never did.

Still sad at my loss of a daughter and my daughter's loss at a happy life without daily frustration and meltdowns 😥 if you don't understand that sadness, please just scroll by, no nasty or unhelpful comments are needed.

I can tell which member of staff at school is calling me based on the time of day before I've even answered the phone (mid morning/mid afternoon secretary - we're fine, 1pm-3pm the teacher - somethings got broken (not necessarily equipment either)/DC has hurt someone/been rude to the wrong person, 8am-8.45am or after 4pm headteacher - serious and I'm likely to be called into a meeting)

I'm on first name terms with all the staff at our GP surgery and I can tell which receptionist I'm talking to according to their voice (useful as theres on particular one who will book us in to see the doctors/nurses DC knows well)

I'm also on first name terms with the nurses at childrens a+e at the local hospital

The specsavers staff greet my DC by name even if we don't have an appointment

The Education Welfare Team at the local council know my first name and use it

I can go years without needing to buy uniform (so I just restock worn out/discoloured items) or I can end up buying a whole new set exactly 6 weeks after I bought a whole brand new set

Same as above for clothes

We get out of the car for school at 8:36. On. The. Dot.

I look at hand dryers the second I go into public toilets. If there is no off switch, dc cannot go in. I flick the switch and say it is safe. Then I have to deal with people who want to, but cannot dry their hands.

I have to remind myself that it's regarded as normal and non-threatening to make eye contact with people, rather than have entire conversations looking straight ahead or behind their left ear. I also fail to insist upon eye contact and sitting/standing up straight at all times and do not take a profanity issued in frustration that isn't made directly 'at' me as a heinous crime deserving of a bollocking and subsequent punishment.

I have to remember that not everybody wants to be handed a cable tie, squishy spiky ball, quarter inch nut and bolt or other item when they sit down.

It seems strange and alien that some people actually welcome friendly touch and expect handshakes or people to sit close to them during a discussion, as they aren't expecting arms and hands to start waving around. And they would find somebody not welcoming touch or 'social kisses' as weird.

Some people find long passages of text instructions perfectly understandable and don't see the need for larger, clear fonts and screenshots/diagrams for every single step of a process or concept, so I have to be prepared for questions as why anything I produce is 'different' to the usual style.

During planning meetings, it's not expected to hand out marker pens in multiple colours and A3 pads in preference to little reporter notebooks or scraps of reused photocopying and fine point ballpoint pens that make scratchy noises you can feel through the barrel.

I wouldn't dream of enforcing a shared lunch situation upon employees because the notion of forcing people who aren't related and are only there because they're being paid to sit in close proximity and eat food that is not announced/detailed in advance on paper plates with plastic cutlery directly facing one another whilst drinks are served in plastic or paper cups and they are not allowed to eat their own food in a place that suits them seems borderline abusive.

My first thought upon a new dress code or uniform is what the texture of the mandatory items would be and if there is any scope for wearing compression leggings, removing additional restrictive layers or picking one or two elements and getting something along the same lines but not actually the identical items.

I look at light levels, temperature and extraneous sound in working environments, along with whether there are any points where a person could be trapped and unable to escape immediately in the event of a confrontational visitor or just a need to get up and away and outdoors every 60-90 minutes.

I won't buy a single jumper or cardigan online, assuming that because it's the right size that it'll be perfectly comfortable.

I am also very conscious of non-verbal communication and can see muscle weaknesses, postural imbalances, non supportive footwear, suppressed anger, lies and anxiety in people who think that what comes out of their mouths is the only message they're broadcasting.

I'm used to explaining all the reasons, factors and possible consequences of any decision in full, even when the person I'm explaining things to doesn't want or need to know every single tiny detail.

Hairstyling and Bushcraft! Amazing.

Thankfully for me, it's only necessary that the cake be themed around a historical event.
It can then be brought out to general bemusement at Lazer Quest.

It took us 10 minutes to put two identical items through the self service tiles at tesco

We like empty places

I haven’t had a full nights sleep in 7 years

Just to give you all hope, my youngest (diagnosed ASD with ‘quite severe’ communication issues) is now at uni. He’s in the same routine - just in a different room. Still eating pasta, pesto and cheese or pasta and tuna…at least it’s cheap🤣. He doesn’t talk about Pokémon anymore…now it’s Taskmaster and The Beatles!

I see this all the time!! DD reacts to others behaviour but the things she reacts to aren't ever questioned even though they are clearly done to wind her up.

Other parents (and some kids)thinking DD 7 is just mean and badly behaved when she is at a point where she is unable to communicate.

Spending full weekends at home because she is too overwhelmed and burnt out from school to do anything.

Having to constantly explain that people say things they don't mean.

Feeling incredibly isolated.

Christ those Dyson hand dryers were such a nightmare when mine were little!

Removing imaginary fluff.........

My last full nights sleep was 2007.

The last night out with my DH was 2015. We got a phone call to come home as he got so upset.

His favourite phrase is "you don't doooo things like that" he's ruled obsessed and told his Headmaster off when he seen him driving the wrong way round the one way system 🫣

Taking a sandwich apart and examine every tiny bit carefully before it's eaten.

I hate the Titanic with a passion.

I like the constant battle with the LEA

How is it possible to hate an administrative body this much? Fuckers.

^^ this
And dreading it when his favourite food suddenly says "new and improved"'on the packaging 😩