My Aspie Family - Coventry

30/03/2024

Joshua has returned from Austria 🇦🇹 and he is only missing a ski glove!!! So proud of him! He had an amazing 🤩 time 🙌🏾🙌🏾

24/03/2024

I would like to wish my first born a happy 13th Birthday!! Have a great time skiing Josh 😍🥰🇦🇹

11/01/2024

My daughter’s school has recently alerted all parents to a current petition to stop the planned parking charges at War Memorial Park.

The Coventry City Council are considering introducing parking charges for the FIRST 3 hours at the park, therefore, encouraging visitors to park their vehicles in neighbouring roads. Thereby, potentially adding to traffic and congestion in the schools vicinity.

If you would like to sign the petition to keep the parking free for the first 3 hours you can do so by following this link below:

Committees and meetings at Coventry City Council

09/01/2024

We absolutely love attending these quiet sessions.

17/09/2023

Below is an infographic created by CAMHS Professionals. It’s discusses the concept of a ‘child's emotional bowl’: What things can empty the bowl; ways children deal with an empty bowl, and what things can fills it so a child can ensure it's always full.

Very useful this time of year, with the return to school anxiety impacting our neurodivergent children.

03/09/2023

Happening this November! The National Space Centre in Leicester does SEN afternoon sessions.

An afternoon to support children, young adults and families with additional needs and disabilities

01/09/2023

On Wednesday my family and I was offered a place on a day trip to Skegness. I impulsively said ‘YES’! Before, speaking to my kids. Totally, forgetting I mentioned to my daughter ‘Thursday’ was going to be a rest day!!! In that moment, I was so excited to be going on a free trip, I don’t have to drive myself too! I actually forgot my children struggle with sudden changes in routine. 🤦🏾‍♀️ While, my Son was overly excited. 😆

My daughter’s anxiety went into over drive!!! She had physical symptoms of her high anxiety the night before, a mini panic attack in the morning and aggressive behaviour during the whole coach ride to Skegness. She really didn’t want to go!! Unfortunately, she had to go as she was out voted and I had no one to leave her with!!!

There were many times during my morning from HELL, when I questioned why I was putting Josh and myself through my Daughters anger😡!! Then I reminded myself! She has a neurological concern and extremely high anxiety and is struggling! I’m forcing her to do something she ‘eventually’ expressed she didn’t want to do!!! I’m lucky, it’s only anger and not full out violent refusal. So I took her weighted lap blanket (to help regulate her nervous system) packed her favourite snacks, gave lots of deep pressure hugs and reassurance and promised we are just going to be sitting on the beach!!! For the most part, Josh and I just ignored her hostile tone of voice and rude comments!!!

Then around 12:30pm when the pier picture was taken her body language and attitude had completely calmed down and she started to enjoy 😉 her day!!! At around 3:30pm, LuLu was able to explain why she struggled with her emotions, she hates long coach rides with strangers, the bumpy journey, the smells and noise, the thought of it made her not want to go! Even through she LOVES Skegness!

This was such a big revelation and I’m so proud of Lulu, Josh and myself, as we worked together, to be able to have a lovely sunny day on the Lincolnshire coast!

Over the last academic school year, a therapist and I have been working with Lulu on Emotional Regulation and speaking her truth. And yesterday Lulu was able to articulate what was bothering her. It took about 24hrs, but she was able to eventually process her emotions and put those feelings into words!!!

That’s a huge step forward. I’m so proud of her. I’m especially, proud of Josh and myself, because honestly, there was times when we both wanted to rage at Lulu. Instead, we have learnt to ignore her behaviour. The ‘ignore’ method worked the best in this situation, but only up to a point!!! We do have to tell her when she was pushing our buttons!! We say ‘stop, if you continue I will get angry’!

In the end, LuLu was glad we went to the Seaside for the day, as the weather was amazing and she got to practice her gymnastics on the sand. 😍🥰

23/08/2023

Tomorrow (24th August 2023) is the last day for free uniform Pop-up shop!

23/08/2023

For those interested!

26/07/2023

For those interested!

Some more information about eating out over the summer

20/07/2023

Save the date⬇️

Following a number of parental requests Coventry Parent Forum is hosting a Workshop in September to explore Sensory issues.

19/07/2023

For those interested:

To book on any of the workshops you will have to Join the Coventry Parent Forum Facebook group. Link below: 👇🏾

https://www.facebook.com/groups/321599913420793/permalink/598478589066256/

Find the original post and message the organisers, and they will send you an invitation link.

I well share the official poster to the events when the poster is shared. But this post went up yesterday and numbers for the workshops are limited.

24/06/2023

Friday 23rd of July was my daughters sports day. And while, the event was very nice to watch as a spectator. I was very disappointed to see that for another year running the school, still has a system where the same children seem to compete while the majority, are just sitting in the baking sun watching!

I was lucky my daughter got to compete in the Tug of War! I missed her second round, as had to leave to pick up my Son, the event was scheduled to finish at 3pm was still going on at 3:10! 😳🤯.

I never thought I would be saying this, but back when I did sports day!! 😂😂
Everyone got a chance to compete and have ago!! As a parent it was disappointing to see the same children having 2-3 turns and waiting to see my child compete! Many children were just setting there bored 🥱 !! I know my daughter was very disappointed to only be able to take part in one event! Also she was not picked to be a KS1 helper, so didn’t really have an engaging sports day!

My daughter so looks forward to sports day every year! But the School’s set up means my daughter when in KS1 was able to have a go at all the sporting events, however, when moving up to KS2, only being a spectator most of the time at her schools annual sports day event!

Very disappointing, my understanding of sports day, is for it to be an inclusive event to encourage children to have a go, regardless of ability. In my opinion, my daughters school’s format for sports day, is not an exclusive on. It’s not a very nice experience for the children not participating and for parents who don’t get to see their child(ren) enjoy the day.

Be assured I will be emailing the school with my feedback.

If you like my post please, click Like and Share. Also please let me know how your children School does Sports Day. I’m interested in suggestions to present to the school, so more children get to have a go.

24/06/2023

I can’t remember where I got this idea from! 🤦🏾‍♀️ But yesterday afternoon when I was getting cat food from Costco, Coventry. I saw the XL cooling mat and purchased two for my human babies!

Well they are 12 and 9 years old, (so no longer babies!) they well forever be my human babies in my head. Lol 😂

They were a huge hit, both my children loved the texture of the mats and especially loved the relieve of getting into a cool bed. Since the hot weather started a few weeks ago, I have been keeping my children’s blackout blinds drawn during the day. So their bedrooms don’t get too hot, essentially during the day.

Both children also have large fans, also purchased a few years ago from Costco. While these methods have significant helped to keep their room temperatures down. Both children were having to have the fan on for the majority of the night. In order, to get a decent night sleep. I was getting very nervous 😩 over how much this was going to cost me.

However, last night both children said they didn’t need the fan! 🙌🏾🙌🏾 I’m honestly heading back to Costco today to pick up another XL cooling mat for myself. Because, for approximately £10 including VAT, it’s a great alternative to having a fan on for hours during these hot summer nights!

If you found my summer hack useful, please like and share my post. Furthermore, if you have any summer hacks you use to keep your Neurodivergent child(ren) cool, please share in the comments.

Photos are of my child’s beds, to give a sense of scale.

23/06/2023

I would like to make you aware of the date of SENDIASS Coventry next parent/carer session…

Dyslexia: Information and Discussion Session for Parents/Carers

When: Tuesday 11th July 2023, 10am – 12pm

Venue: Coventry Council House, Committee Room 2, Earl Street, CV1 5RR

I’m pleased to inform you that SENDIASS has partnered up with Coventry SEMH & Learning Team to provide a Dyslexia information and discussion session. This is a face to face session for Parents/Carers of Children or Young People who have or are suspected to have Dyslexia. The session offers the opportunity for information sharing and discussion around key areas such as assessment, dyslexic thinking, strengths, challenges, working with school and will offer top tips to help support and empower children with dyslexia.

Please see the leaflet below (and attached) for more information. To book your place on this session please contact SENDIASS on iass@coventry.gov.uk or TEL: 024 7669 4307 quoting ‘DYSLEXIA’.

21/06/2023

Today 21st of June is international Yoga Day. I just completed a gentle 15 minute Winding Down session.

I haven’t posted in a while, because things have been mega busy within my household and I’m literally exhausted at the end of the each day.

But I wanted to share this achievement. 🙌🏾🙌🏾Today I had five things on my list of things I wanted to achieve and I was able to achieve three out of the five, because I went and took a nap around 6pm. I needed the nap more then I needed to complete my list of goals.

I learnt a few years ago I won’t always achieve my daily goals, but giving things a honest try and listening to my body is extremely important. Taking time for yourself and managing my health condition is key to my happiness.

It has taken me nearing 9 years to get to a place of balance and calm. It will always be a working progress. But at least I’m trying and that is all I ask for myself and from my children.

Goodnight 😴

21/06/2023

For those living in Coventry and Warwickshire

A reminder of the Family Fun Day in second July at Leamington Rugby Club.
Raising funds for Tiny Tim's and Spencer's Retreat.

20/05/2023

For those who live in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Do you have an autism diagnosis, or are awaiting a diagnosis, and live in Coventry or Warwickshire❓

Community Autism Support Service provide a range of autism support for children, young people, adults, parents and carers including one to one support, group support, a peer mentoring service, workshops, and short toolbox sessions.

Find out more: https://casspartnership.org.uk/