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
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.
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 ❤❤
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.
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.
Let me count the ways...
❤ That the world is beautiful and wonderful when viewed through a different lense.
❤ That there is no "normal."
❤ To celebrate every milestone reached, every accomplishment, no matter how big or small.
❤ That I am emotionally and mentally stronger than I thought I was.
❤ That I'll never stop learning on our journey.
❤ That our tribe is worldwide.
❤ That love doesn't need words.
❤ That life is wild and calm and I wouldn't have it any other way.
"Why don't they walk those dogs themselves?"
It's a great question. You'd think that a teenager would be able to walk their dog by themselves. However when said teenager enters into emotional or sensory overload and need their Assistance Dog to redirect behaviour and assist in emotional regulation, said teenager, at that moment in time, cannot keep themselves safe yet alone an Assistance Dog.
There is absolutely nothing in either the Queensland Guide Hearing Assistance Dog Act or the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act, that states the minimum age of an Assistance Dog handler.
But it's morally unethical to expect a teenager (or a child,) to be the handler for their Assistance Dog and keep themselves both safe when in emotional or sensory overload.
Both L and O are the primary handlers for Henry and Alaska and they are both very capable as handlers. But for the moment both Mum and Dad are the additional handlers.
#teamhenry #henrythehero #teamalaska #alaskasjourney #autismassistancedogs #seizurealertassistancedog #medicalalertassistancedog #assistancedogofsaustralia #workingdogsofaustralia #assistancedogawareness #seizurealertdogawareness #autismawareness #epilepsyawareness #hypermobilityehlersdanlossyndromeawareness #adhdawareness #ehlersdanlossyndrome #generslisedanxietydisorderawareness #connectivetissuedisorders #sensoryprocessingdisorderawareness #workingdogsbooks #assistancedogsofinstagram #educatingfamilies #inspireyoungminds #inspiringyoungminds #readgrowinspire #childrensliteracy
