No idea how he remembered how many pages there were in this book 😅 Tommy is non-speaking, abd has some word like sounds, so we have to find other ways to communicate ❤️#onthisday #nonverbalautism #nonverbal #autismfamily #autismdad

School nights, holidays, weekends, bank holidays, every night we’re together, the same 20 minute drive and shop stop off. Four years and counting 😊 One of the many little routines that make up our days, and that make life more comfortable for Tommy. Plus it’s always a good opportunity to work on Tommy’s communication too ❤️ #nonverbalautism #nonverbal #autismmom #autismacceptance #autismdad

#AD Change is something that both my boys have always struggled with, and this can be true for many autistic people.    An unexpected change to their daily routine, or something not being quite as they expected, can be a real problem.   This is why when brands make changes to their food or drink packaging, it can have a negative effect as it's just no longer the same.   Fruit Shoot have started making a change to the cap on their bottle from the regular 3-piece cap to a new sports cap. Making their bottles much more environmentally friendly, easier for kids to hold, and also easier to keep clean.   But Fruit Shoot also know that this change can have an impact for children and adults like Tommy. So they've teamed up with the @National Autistic So  to create resources on their website to help families navigate the upcoming change.   They've helped me explain that the Fruit Shoot bottle has a new cap to Tommy, and because he knows it still looks, smells and tastes the same, it's still Tommy's favourite drink.    If you think you may need some help with the changes, or want some more information, head over to the Fruit Shoot website. #autismfamily #autismparents #autismmum #autismdad

Happy World Autism Awareness/Acceptance Day ⠀ Being wrapped up in our cosy little bubble, and the routines of our every day lives, it’s easy to think that there’s a good level of autism awareness out there. ⠀ But once I step outside of that, it often becomes clear pretty quickly that isn’t the case. (The comments section on my posts lately are a testament to that) ⠀ Awareness is only the start though. Greater understanding, inclusion and acceptance is what we really need. ⠀ Which is why I share on here. An honest insight of what our lives are like, the highs and the lows, the mistakes, and lessons I learn along the way. ⠀ In the hope that I might be able to make a difference. To correct some of the misinformation that’s out there, challenge the stereotypes, whilst helping families realise they’re not alone. ⠀ To make life a little easier for Tommy, for Jude, and hopefully, in turn, for other autistic people too. ⠀ Today is a great day for raising awareness, demanding better understanding, inclusion, and fighting for change. But so are the other 364 days in the year too. So that’s what we’ll keep doing ❤️ #worldautismawarenessday #autismacceptance #autismparents #autismfamily

Whilst social media can definitely feel a bit fake at times, or that people only show the highlights of their lives, I like to think that I’m pretty honest on here, about my life as a dad of two autistic boys, and carer to my own dad. Even so, here’s a few thoughts that lie beneath the surface. That come and go. I hope it helps those of you who can relate to some of these ❤️ #autismparents #autismdad #autismmum #autismfamily #singleparentlife