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

Not a competition

 This.

Having a disability is not a competition as to who has more struggles than another.

Every individual who has a disability, regardless of what their disability is, has their own strengths and their own struggles that are unique to them.

I've actually been told in the past that an individual with a physical disability is more disabled than someone with a neurological disability, so therefore they have more struggles.

I had to walk away.

A neurological disability is hidden, and often we have to constantly prove that we do have a disability.

Please stop making everything a competition and just be you. 

Safe place

 We've always received compliments on how well behaved and well mannered both little superheroes are at school, child care, at friends houses etc. Yet at home, they can be the complete opposite.

We've come to realise that home is their safe place. We are their safe place. If they're having a rough day, they will usually keep all the frustration inside and release it at home.

When I talk to others about this, they usually say that they'd never thought about their own children's behaviour like that, but that it is so very true.

So the next time that your children, or young adults are showing you their most challenging behaviour, know that you are their safe place where there is unconditional love and no judgement ❤❤

Masking

 This is masking to a tee.

If you are a teacher or an educator, and an Autistic student says something like this to you, please give the student a break away from whatever they are doing.

Masking is incredibly detrimental to an Autistic individual.

Thankfully L has a few amazing knowledgeable teacher aides who recognised that L was not okay. And when he said this to them, he was a given a break and we received a phone call.

Normal? Nope!

This was said to me a few weeks ago by a person that I occasionally work with. Myself and a third person stared them down!

My normal obviously isn't their normal! 

It's taken me a long time to accept who I am and not be concerned how others see me.

This person also said that they don't disclose their child's neurodivergence unless absolutely necessary because a label is a bad thing. And as a result their child is embarrassed by their neurodivergence.

I wish I'd known when I was younger that I was Autistic!

So no, I can't just be normal!! Because there is no normal. And besides, normal is boring.