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Hmm, I'm not a big fan of the word 'disability' for autism, although I love this sign pictured above. I do not see my nonverbal autistic son as having a disability, but then I'm his mum. I do, however, need people to know he is different and has limitations, and I totally get the invisible part. Yup, you cannot tell if a person is autistic just by looking at them. So, if autism is not visually recognisable how would anyone know if the behaviours they see are as a result of autism or just plain ill-mannered/rude/naughty? And do you think people will ask?...

Our tag line is "living life with autism" My youngest son Henry is living his life with autism. We, his parents, siblings, extended family and friends are living our lives with autism in it. And everyone is living their lives with autism all around them whether they are aware of it or not. So, I guess the "raising awareness and supporting families" is then our Autism Threads mission statement in a way but, how do we actually do it? There are over 700,000 people diagnosed as autistic in the UK. Including their families, it comes to 2.8m people! These are...

Does anyone else have or care for autistics who are um, fretful flyers?   It’s a pity as we have witnessed with our son Henry (age 8) who I dare say now enjoys flying, that there are so many elements of the flying experience that are right up an autistics street such as the symmetry; the detail; the procedures & routine; the predictability; the thrill; the mechanics; the numbers; the seat plans; the visual, the excitement of a trip & the destination etc. etc.   It leads me to think that apart from the journey all children & adults go...

Last week was my youngest and autistic son, Henry's 8th birthday, and a few days later, my own 45+ something birthday. Henry's birthday is usually met with much apprehension on my part that then turns to sadness and me feeling really low towards the evening. But not this year folks, oh no. I somehow managed to keep my .... together and just be ok with it this year, I don't really know how? Henry, you see, does not like birthdays, and I suspect many autistic children are the same. It's not so much the birthday but rather the unexpected; the change in...

Autism parenting highs & lows from the incredible bond, fascination, humour and their brilliance to bad public perceptions, awful judgemental looks, stares & comments plus negative and hurtful behaviours. It sure is a journey and a constant fight for what's right.