Autism parenting pod casts

[whyisitall]

My 3 year old DS finally had his paediatrician appointment this week, which confirmed his autism diagnosis. We are already receiving support from SALT, OT and have been accepted for portage, but are waiting for a space.

Can anyone recommend any UK podcasts aimed at parents of autistic children? I have found some American ones, but the healthcare system is so different it's hard to relate it to our experiences and reality.

The diagnosis was not a surprise, but it's still knocked me for six. I'm hoping to learn and educate myself, but also I think it would be really helpful to hear about how other parents have adapted and dealt with all the emotions that come with a diagnosis

Not a podcast series, but there is one episode of Lockdown Parenting Hell where they talk with Paddy McGuineas about being a parent to three autistic children. It might help get a little perspective on how they do things as a family.

@mnahmnah

Not a podcast series, but there is one episode of Lockdown Parenting Hell where they talk with Paddy McGuineas about being a parent to three autistic children. It might help get a little perspective on how they do things as a family.

Thank you, I will look that up. Just feel very low at the moment so want either some solace in form of hearing or seeing others in the same situation to know we're not alone, or some inspiration for how we can best support our boy

Diagnosis can be peculiar even if you expect it. Just take it steady for a few days.

Remember he is different from other autistic children and your family is unique so although some things might be similar you will need to find what works for you.

@BlackeyedSusan

Diagnosis can be peculiar even if you expect it. Just take it steady for a few days.

Remember he is different from other autistic children and your family is unique so although some things might be similar you will need to find what works for you.

You're absolutely right. Sadness for the loss of how I thought the next few years would look, relief that I'm not going mad or just a useless mother, positive that I can learn to adapt to help him flourish, scared about how hard it's going to be.

Tbh I'm finding it hard to talk to people in real life - sympathy makes me defensive, as he's stlll our beautiful boy and I'm so proud of him and there's nothing 'wrong' with him, he just doesn't perceive the world in the way most do. But I'm also feeling that people who are overly positive, with no more experience than me, very toxic as it makes me feel like our struggles are dismissed, when life at home is already tough.

I think hearing people who actually understand this experience will be really helpful.

Thegirlwiththecurlyhair.co.uk might be useful?

18000 Seconds on Autism is about looking at the world from the POV of someone with autism. The hosts are autistic and I found it really helpful in understanding and supporting my son.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06sdq0x/episodes/downloads

Yes I agree that diagnosis is a weird experience. My most recent experience was that I knew, we all knew he was autistic but still had to go through the process. I sat down and they told me they were giving him the diagnosis, have me a sheet of paper of his strengths and a huge thick book (half in Welsh) on ASD. That was it, end of and off you go never to hear from them again.

My eldest had extra support, OT and physiotherapy but none of that was offered and what I asked they said I could try applying myself but the waiting list was long. - clearly the years of waiting for diagnosis didn't help in anyway. So that was that.

I think finding a group is always good, look for groups in your area on Facebook etc as the experiences vary greatly depending on area. So it's always more useful if it's local.

Having two with autism I can say how completely different they are, they have very similar diagnoses yet are very different were massively different abilities. Routine is the only really common theme between them.

Following.

The internet is a great source of support, there might be a local small facebook group for children in your area if you ask around.