An Autistic Author

So I'm sat here at my computer wrapped in a blanket trying to do college work. Sore throat, cough, high temperature and runny nose. I'm thinking it's tonsillitis but not sure, if I still have it next week I'll see the doctor.

Hey guys, I am trying to get at least one post from me each week up on here. As you all know I have recently started back at college and getting back into the routine is proving a challenge but one that I'm sure I will surpass.

So over rated in our house. But I love sleep. I need it and lots of it. William on the other hand does not. He's like the energiser bunny, on and on till exhaustion finally takes him.

As many of you know yesterday was the first day that I'm back at college. It wasn't like I expected at all. I was hoping we'd just get right into doing work, but that didn't happen.

Well after a hectic summer the time has come for returning to school. This year William is attending his SEN school full time rather than doing half days.

Finally it's the return to normality as William goes back to school, this year full time in Reception after his part time preschool placement.

Trying to sort out the fine details are the hardest. With going back to college, I have to sort out student finance, cancel my benefits, get all the equipment needed and make sure I'm as well as can be emotionally and physically for the start of term.

Last night I got some more blueberry wine on the go. My biggest wine batch of three gallons to be precise. A proven recipe so sticking to it although I'm thinking about doing some experimentation, orange, pineapple and tropical are all in my sights to be converted into wine.

The nature of Williams autism is that you would never know that he has difficulties unless you try and interact with him in some way. He often looks like he's being 'naughty' when he's struggling with the world around him, running around in supermarkets or throwing himself on the floor outdoors.

Ahh another wild Wednesday, it's not always easy. I can write about anything yet struggle to choose. In this case I'm think it's going to be another mixed post.

We've been away to Haven for a few days this week with my Mum and Dad, and with the usual last minute house cleaning and packing I forgot to post last week, sorry!

It can be hard to think about the good and positive when it comes to talking about yourself. I know that I find it difficult. One thing that I really appreciate about myself if the ability to pick up new skills.

Another Wednesday, another post. It has come to my attention that I haven't actor told you lot about the schedule change for the holidays.

So here it is another Wild Wednesday, writing when few people are reading is hard. But it's something that I actually enjoy doing.

I love to hear William 'talk'. I say 'talk' because he only ever used phrases he's learnt, usually from TV, and is not yet capable of spontaneous speech.

So everyone, I'm thinking of getting some promotional t-shirts printed for my blog. Nothing overly complex or crazy but some nice designs. What do you all think?

We have implemented some good routines with visual prompts at home for William over the holidays. Its definitely helped in the morning routine,  so breakfast, teeth and washing seem to be done without too much fuss.

Honestly right now I'm finding it hard to write. I'm not sure of the reason, if it's a lack of motivation due to having such a low mood or if it's related to the slowing of traffic that my blog has been experiencing.

Well its the 2nd week of the school holidays. After a whirlwind first week with pretty much the entire contents of my house strewn all over the living room at some point, the boys dad and I decided we needed to get our butts in gear and sort out some visual support for William in the hope of staying sane over Summer.

I'm really struggling to think about how I want to write this. If you follow my twitter you'll know that my grandad passed on the 17th of July.

We've been away this weekend to a gathering of Simon's family in Wrexham. Many of these people I'd been told about in the past, but had never met.

Hi guys! I’m Amanda and I’ll be filling in for friendly Friday! I’ve been given no guidance on what to write so I’m sure this will be extremely random! So friendly Friday…

Hello everyone, The amount of information that I can post right now is limited but I have a family member who is in hospital right now.

It's been a hard week. Really hard. I've not felt too well, I'm grumpy and I'm tired from all Williams night awakenings and early mornings.

The first Friendly Fridays post, I have no idea what I want to post about. There are so many positives that come with having autism. Most of the time you see that everyone talks about the downsides that come with autism. Well today will not be like that.

Today's post will be the first Wild Wednesday, basically Wednesdays posts will be about anything. Nothing is set in stone. I'm trying to make it easier on myself to come up with things to post about.

The end of a school year is just around the corner, and Williams school report arrives in a brown envelope. I prepare myself for tears, as is usual practice when reading a report on Williams development.

Yesterday I went to my old college St John Rigby with Claire. It was good to see all of the staff there and catch up. I never really realised how much I miss being there.

So today I went to the monthly coffee morning that is hosted by love autism. For those of you that don't know love autism is a local support group created and ran by parents of autistic children.

Its been a great weekend, less tantrums and tears, more fun. On the Sunday we made the decision to get William a new bike. He has had this tiddly plastic toddler thing for years, and is very fond of it.

Recently, well since the start of my relationship, I have been thinking a lot more about relationships in all forms. You have family bonds, you have romantic bond and then you have friendly bonds. Unfortunately for me friends are not something that I have many off.

Hello everyone, I had an interesting conversation with Claire that I think would be good to talk about. You see, Claire has a ADHD diagnosis, but since the first day I met her, I've been fairly sure that she's also on the spectrum. While walking we we're talking about a few different things and the subject moved over to what it was like to have my autism diagnosis.

In our house we have typical kids, they push your buttons, play up and squabble like any other.

This week has been pretty down for me, I have no idea what the cause is but I just been feeling really sad for no reason which is rather annoying to be honest.

Me and Claire have been together for a little over a month now and I think it's going well. We have the usually small fall outs but haven't actually had anything even close to an argument.

Starting in reverse....  THE UGLY Its been a tiring week, and William's behaviour has been terrible. Tantrums, screeching and repetition has been constant, and that really sucks.

So yesterday me and Claire went for a nice picnic. The idea was that we was going to walk to Scotsmans flash and have it there. We never made it to the flash.

Yesterday I took to Facebook to find out what it is you all want to hear. I got a few responses but one struck a chord in me. The question of becoming an adult, puberty, hormones and all of that goodness. Now the transition into adulthood isn't an easy aspect of life for anyone to handle, but for someone on the spectrum it can be a nightmare.

OK so a week on and I remain wholly disorganised and fail to sort out the 'now & next' board and choice board for William.

Hello everyone, yesterday I was talking to an amazing lady that runs a local autism support called Vee. We were just talking about the usual stuff, my blog, what's next, etc.

Hello everyone, On Monday I went to see the doctor about increasing my Concerta dose. I am currently taking the lowest amount possible as I have only recently restarted taking the medication.

Today's post is about acceptance. Not about accepting that William has autism, but that some days as a family we are truly accepted just the way we are.

Hello everyone, yesterday I had to have an emergency dentist appointment.

So today I'm going to be seeing my girlfriend again. I don't know what we'll be doing but I enjoy her company.

Organisation is pretty important when you've got kids. I'm not a very well organised person, my boss and colleagues, parents, friends, children and partner will concur. My brain has a 50% functional memory at the best of times (completely unrelated to sherry or Stella consumption).

So yesterday I went out on my first date. We just went for a meal at a place called Red Robin. Claire, the wonderful girl I went out with also have ADHD.

Hello everyone, You know, living with autism is hard, it's hard for the person with it, it's hard for their families and anyone else around them. It causes arguments, disputes sometimes even fights.

At the weekend we attended a charity coffee morning at our local coffee house. It was to raise funds for New Greenhall school (where William attends), and an autism charity.

Hello everyone, So yesterday I went out and it was pretty good. I don't often spend time with people who are my own age.

Hello everyone, For those that know me in person probably know that my single biggest fear is the dentist. It's not uncommon for even neurotypical people not on the spectrum to be scared of the dentist.

William is a fascinating little thing. Whilst his speech is very poor for a 4yr old and is 99% Echolalia (he repeats phrases he's learned rather than talking), he loves babbling and making noise, its just a shame that we can't understand it.

Hello everyone, So today was the first time I've been out socially in a couple of weeks and it was good. Even though socialising is hard for me it doesn't stop me.

Hello everyone, So today I was reading through my statement that I got when I was 11. Then I found my evaluation done when I started high school and I was amazed.

Hello everyone, I wasn't planning on writing a blog post today, in order to keep myself from burning out I'm only planning on writing three posts a week. But here we are, now something that is all too familiar with just happened.

We've had a difficult few weeks with Williams temper. When your child can't tell you when he's hurt, unwell, tired, sad or miffed, its hard to help. It's wearing, emotionally and physically for all, and some days you just end up screeching at eachother because you really don't know what to do. Its like having that helpless newborn back, but this time 3 stone heavier and who likes to kick, throw punches and objects at you.

Hello everyone, Today I have had a realisation, I have spoke with a couple of readers, and read other blogs. Up to note I've been writing my posts in an overly complicated six step process that it designed only give the information I think you want to hear. Now this does produce well written posts but it also means I'm spending so much of my time on writing posts they there's no enjoyment in it for me. I have discovered that isn't the way I should be doing things, I think you all would prefer I enjoyed writing even if it was of a slightly lower quality. Also I have open up comments to all openID users so you can use any of a number of accounts to now comment. Thanks for reading and as always, a little patience can go a long way, Spec.

Okay, so let's get blogging. As I said on Facebook and my last post I want to talk about my medication. I never realised just how helpful the medication was until I've got back onto it.

Hello everyone, So after what can only be called a very long break I'm back. Now i don't know how often I will post because I have commitments with the job centre and going forward with a college application. All this means I have a busy schedule.