Ten Years!

 

Ten years ago today we received official confirmation that L was in fact on the spectrum. And look where he is now!

From non verbal, struggling to understand his and others emotions, struggling to make friends, lots of emotional and sensory overloaded days where he didn't want to step outside of his comfort zone.

L is now confident and tackles whatever obstacles in his way head on. He is wanting to learn new skills and try new activities. He does recognise that he is different from his peers, but different in a good way.

"I got awes-tism and super fast 80-HD brain!"

And with Henry, his pawsome Autism Assistance and Seizure Alert Dog, by his side, L's future is very bright.

We've been on a learning journey with him and have learnt so much about the world by looking through his eyes. He's taught us that while the world can be a scary place, there's lots of beauty if you look at it differently.

Buddy, you going to go far. There is no limit ⭐⭐

And to everyone who has supported us, been there for us, loved L for who he is, you all rock ❤❤

Epilepsy

Today is International Epilepsy Day and we're still on a very steep learning curve with L.

What I did not know is that Epilepsy is the second most common neurological condition here in Australia. And yet many individuals with Epilepsy aren't able to access the support they need.

L has three seizure types - absent seizures, Tonic clonic seizures and myoclonic seizures which cause him to collapse.

L's Epilepsy is managed by medication but the medication does not stop the seizures all together, it reduces the frequency and severity of his seizures. There are limitations to the medication and there are also triggers that may bring on a seizure in L.

L's triggers are something that we are still working on, some we can actively avoid, others we can't. As a family we are learning how to support L with his Epilepsy.

From the moment Henry was placed in 2021 we knew he was life changing for L. And over the last eighteen months on this new Epilepsy journey, Henry has also been life saving by naturally alerting to L's seizures.

L and Henry have well and truly earned their Lions Courage awards and their joint Yogi award. Henry truly is a hero in our eyes.

#teamhenry #henrythehero #teamalaska #alaskasjourney #autismassistancedogs #seizurealertassistancedog #medicalalertassistancedog #assistancedogofsaustralia #workingdogsofaustralia #assistancedogawareness #seizurealertdogawareness #autismawareness #epilepsyawareness #hypermobilityehlersdanlossyndromeawareness #adhdawareness #ehlersdanlossyndrome #generslisedanxietydisorderawareness #connectivetissuedisorders #sensoryprocessingdisorderawareness #workingdogsbooks #assistancedogsofinstagram #educatingfamilies

Let's Talk!

Let's talk about lining objects up grouping objects.

Both kids have always done this. We have been told by therapists that we should stop them from doing this. We stopped working with those therapists!

Lining objects up, grouping objects by colour or type, brings calm to what can be a very chaotic world. Lining objects up is something that the kids can control.

It's honestly fascinating watching them do this. If we interrupted them, we were glared at. If we moved one item, the item was immediately replaced.

If we joined in and added an object to the line or correct group, we joined their world.

You don't need to understand the why, just know that it brings calm.

Weird Question

 

I've lost count of the number of people who ask if I wish there was a cure for Autism.

No I don't.

Without Autism, ADHD, SPD and everything else in between, my children would not be who they are. They are neurodiverse and are perfect the way they are.

I've also been asked that if I knew my kids were going to be Autistic, would I still have had children.

The answer is always yes. I love both my children for who they are. And I wouldn't change them for the world.

#littlesuperheroes #autismheroes