As a working parent, I am quite used to the juggling act of family life and work life, balancing the needs of my family, my job, and my own needs… usually in that order. Usually I can just about keep those juggling balls in the air. Working from home during a pandemic has certainly putContinue reading “Autistic working mum, juggling in a pandemic”
Category Archives: Autism
World Mental Health Day 2020
“It’s OK not to be OK”… It’s not OK to not be OK, not for a prolonged period anyway. What that phase actually means is, it is good to be open about not being OK. Yes we all have bad days and low moods, but if you are often full of dread, you have aContinue reading “World Mental Health Day 2020”
The Double Rainbow
Intersectional Diversity: The ‘Double Rainbow’ of Autism and LGBTQIA+ Here are Charlie’s answers to questions they were recently asked about their lived experience of the ‘double rainbow’. Can you explain what the term ‘double rainbow’ means? Studies show that autistic people are far more likely identify as a sexuality minority and/or a gender minority, comparedContinue reading “The Double Rainbow”
Week 12 of lockdown, reflecting on Day 1
For me this is now week 12 of lockdown, as I have not been in the office since Monday 16 March. That was a unsettling day with people on the train eyeing each other with suspicion, reluctant to press the button to open the train doors, and an uneasy atmosphere in the office. This weekContinue reading “Week 12 of lockdown, reflecting on Day 1”
How Iggy got his nickname
Here is the story of how Iggy’s nickname came about (many, but not all of you already know, and I realise the similar names of Iggy and Izzy have caused confusion to some). Ethan (Iggy) was my eldest son, who sadly died in April 2019. Iggy had two younger sisters: Isabel (Izzy) and Jessica (Jess)Continue reading “How Iggy got his nickname”
Lockdown survival tips
Pretty much all of my lockdown survival tips are here in one post. A very British pot of tea and a packet of hot cross buns (from the freezer, so ignore the March “best before” date). And if ever there’s a time to treat yourself to proper butter, this is it, on toasted hot crossContinue reading “Lockdown survival tips”
Sensory sensitivity to noise
#AutismAcceptanceWeek Yesterday I was completely taken down by my sensory sensitivity to noise. For me, noise sensitivity is not about volume, but I get easily overwhelmed by different competing noises and sometimes by certain frequencies e.g. the low rumble of the air conditioning in the office. Yesterday the competing noises were my daughters playing MinecraftContinue reading “Sensory sensitivity to noise”
Day 1 Home-working while home-educating
Day 1 Home-working and home-educating 23 March 2020 “I’ve got this all figured out”, I thought. “This will be a piece of cake. I am only part-time, and I am lucky to have my husband (a musician) around every day to help…” First up I Skyped my line manager about temporarily changing my hours to startContinue reading “Day 1 Home-working while home-educating”
Anxiety and bereavement
I’m struggling with anxiety again, even though I felt strong over the weekend. Example 1: When our cat Ermy goes out for longer than usual, then there’s a post on the village Facebook page about a cat that has been run over. My immediate thoughts “Ermy is not coming back this time. My daughters areContinue reading “Anxiety and bereavement”
Rant about NHS mental health support
Please just indulge me this rant, without any overwhelming flurry of concerned personal messages. I’m basically OK today, and about to get stuck into some rock painting. This rant concerns NHS mental health services for adults in my area (Worcestershire). In the months following my son’s death last April, I realised I require some specialistContinue reading “Rant about NHS mental health support”
Ausome Charlie 