A bit about me a bit about Learning SPACE, and a bit about Autism.

Hey blogsters.

So, here I am working for Learning SPACE as an Educational Product Advisor, and every day I talk to parents whose children have been diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorders.  I do my best to help with practicalities (as far as I can!) but sometimes I think the best help of all is just talking to people who understand!

Here at Learning SPACE, we have a real interest in supporting families affected by Autistic Spectrum Disorder, as well as other Additional Needs. We have developed a list of product ideas through the help of parents, therapists, teachers and, of course, kids.

I have a particular interest in ASD - my five (nearly six, where does the time go?) year old son was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism just over a year ago.

We knew, of course we did, that our quirky little person wasn’t your average wee lad. But it still came as a massive shock. I remember saying to the diagnosing Paediatrician, “do you mean he’s borderline? Like a bit Autistic?”

And her reply that, no, it was quite clear, my perfect little boy was on the spectrum, and has this inexplicable, poorly understood disorder.

I went in to denial for a few weeks – but in order to get the support on offer, we had to accept the diagnosis, so accept it we did. Then I spent time being really angry – why did nobody help 2 years previously, when I was looked at like a madwoman for suggesting that my 2 year old was not developing normally, why was there no support then?

Eventually, I came to accept the diagnosis, and we dragged him from appointment to appointment to appointment, but the initial flurry has died down, and life is pretty good for us now, with good routines and structures in place.

If you are a parent of a child with additional needs, it can feel pretty isolating. There are lots of great support groups out there though, either online or in the real world – here are some wee links for you to try out.

Mumsnet Special Needs support forum 
National Autistic Society forum 
Autism NI 
Learning SPACE's ASD tailored products 

And please, call in to Learning SPACE, or give us a call – we have lots of ideas, books and products that can help to make life a little easier for you and your child.

Gail Pascoe, Qualified teacher of Special Needs and Music, and mum to 3 completely brilliant goblins, one of whom happens to have Autism.