I’m back from the Easter break and ready to mark
what has been a huge milestone for my family.
Yesterday was the fifth anniversary of learning formally
that The Boy Child has autism.
I wrote a blog post back then and, having re-read it just now,
I find that I was far too cocky in my assumption that
autism is just a word.
It is so much more than I first realised.
Autism affects every corner of our lives and we’re still learning to live
with this unwelcome and unwanted intrusion into our family and home.
The biggest thing I’ve learned is that autism, while ever present,
comes in peaks and troughs.
It ebbs and flows.
Some days are easier then others,
some days are harder than I ever could have imagined.
Some things for The Boy Child are easier.
Some things for The Boy Child are definitely harder.
The Brainy One and I attended the dreaded annual Statement Review meeting
before the Easter holidays and learned that things were worse than we’d been lead to believe.
Later this year, we have to apply for the Secondary school we’d like The Boy Child
to attend from September 2018 and I desperately miss the wise counsel of this lady.
The next few months are set to be challenging, but surely not as difficult as the last five years.
Wish us luck,
This West London Life 
Of course. All the luck in the world. And an ear, any time you think it might help x
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I cannot imagine some of the struggles you have within the school system, so all possible body parts are crossed wishing you luck that you will get the counsel & guidance you need as you settle on the next schooling chapter. You are very brave & resourceful.
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I'm so sorry to hear that you received unwelcome news at the Statement Review, especially in a year when you have some tough decisions for his future to make. Choosing a secondary school which will have the facilities and staffing to support him in all the ways he needs may be hard, and you will have to check every school out with TBC's personal education needs in mind. But the right school for him is out there somewhere and I know you will find it.
Under the terms of admission at our school, statemented children come at a high criteria (even higher than siblings) so I do hope that once you find where you want him to go, it will be the same and there will be no unnecessary hurdles in the way.
Fingers, toes and everything else crossed for you all.
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I have oodles of luck for you and armfuls of cwtches for everyone who needs them – even when they don't know they need them.
I can only try to understand what you cope with and it has been a long time since I worked with children in any capacity other than as a Grandma. I do remember the struggles of children with autism in care homes – and what comes back to me now after 30+ years is the helplessness the staff felt because their training didn't teach them how to cope.
I suppose that puts you in the same situation doesn't it? no training and having to learn on the job so to speak. Oh I wish there was something I could do to help!!!
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Choosing the right secondary school is so hard. It caused me many sleepless nights when sorting for my eldest who is quite dyslexic. I sympathise that you have a tricky path ahead but I am sure th right place is there for your boy. Sending you lots of supporting thoughts. Xxxxxx
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Wishing you both luck and the finding of some wise counsel … Hard to hear difficult news too :(. But on the plus side, your young man is shaping up wonderfully in the cousins department.
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Sending you luck and support, Ruth! You are a wonderful mother; brave, resilient, loving, and strong.
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