#autismparenting

Good Morning ☕🍰 Have y'all a lovely and blessed Sunday

Nobody is born a warrior. Becoming one is a lifelong commitment for parents and carers who stand beside their vulnerable loved ones, especially those who cannot always speak up for themselves. We keep fighting, advocating, supporting, and never giving up 💜 ~ Dr Anna Kennedy OBE - @AnnaKennedy1

… Nobody is born a warrior… [Anna Kennedy - Quote] ~ Dr Anna Kennedy OBE - @AnnaKennedy1 – Facebook

… Nobody is born a warrior… Born Anxious and Work for Good… For Born Anxious, clothing has always been about creating connection, starting conversations and helping people feel less alone. Founded by Kellie Barker, Born Anxious is a sensory clothing brand built around supporting people navigating complex lives and experiences.

Born Anxious and Work for Good… Building Community Through Purpose: How Born Anxious Supports Autism Awareness Through Every Sale For Kellie, choosing the charity was an easy decision. Anna Kennedy Online has proven results of donations being utilised within our community. There are no paid staff – it is built on charity. ~ Anna Kennedy Online - @AnnaKennedy1

… Born Anxious and Work for Good… Building Community Through Purpose: How Born Anxious Supports Autism Awareness Through Every Sale ~ Anna Kennedy Online - @AnnaKennedy1

… Please support … @AnnaKennedy1

𝗔 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 Founded by Anna Kennedy OBE… our charity empowers autistic individuals and their families through support, celebration, and education. AKO 's website

We had conferences for my 2nd grader last week. During the meeting his teacher was praising him for being more attentive, less fidgety, and generally coping better.

I tried to explain to him that even though he looks like he is struggling less, and is doing better at following all the class and social rules, it does not mean he isn't struggling. In fact it takes him huge amounts of energy and concentration to do what he is doing. We have had a difficult time explaining to this teacher what autism is and how it affects Squish since the beginning of the year. A few months ago the amazing advocate @butterflyinthewell found some really good, positive flyers that we gave the teacher(thank you!). It seemed to help.

I don't know if there's much hope for getting through to this teacher, and things are going decently enough. But as Squish gets older, it is going to be harder and harder to explain what is going on to his teachers because he will get better at masking and will have learned many more coping skills. G-d willing in a few years he will be able to help with those explanations, but for now he simply doesn't have the language.

As it is, many people don't believe that he is autistic because he seems to cope very well. I'm thinking that it might help to give his teachers personal accounts from other autistic folks. Would any of you be willing to share your internal experience from being a school-age(elementary and middle-school) autistic person who is in main-stream classes?

Good Morning ☕️🍰 Have y'all a beautiful and blessed Saturday

Ciara [@ciaraspinkpod], I knew the minute I met you that you were a winner, and that "The Pink Sparkle Podcast" was something truly special. ~ Dr Anna Kennedy OBE - @AnnaKennedy1

… Thu, Mar 26 at EPSOM METROPOLIS Ciara Lawrence's Pink Sparkle Podcast @ciaraspinkpod, celebrates Five years with Dr Anna Kennedy OBE @AnnaKennedy1 and special guests.

A reportage by Steven Smith @asksteve2c in 2shadesmagazine Pictures: Antony March

The Pink Sparkle Podcast is not just pink...

… Please support … @AnnaKennedy1

𝗔 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 Founded by Anna Kennedy OBE… our charity empowers autistic individuals and their families through support, celebration, and education. AKO 's website

All the autistic people in my family were overstimulated at the same time today. One of them shut down, one was about 80/20 meltdown/tantrum, and then there was me, expending all my energy to not shut down or meltdown, while helping them through their stuff and simultaneously trying to keep the other two children calm and non-escalatory. It was very frustrating, and I am now very tired. I was tired before, as we have begun to work on waking up and having everyone ready as per our school schedule.

Today was a snow day, so the boys were home from school. It was hard. I’ve been overstimulated and tired, Squish has been really struggling with sensory input, Dude’s been needing attention, Little Lady is teething and has a cold. It was hard for me to shift gears from my normal playing with Little Lady and getting housework done, to planning a schedule of things to do with the boys. 

We got through the day with few misshapes, and not a huge number of meltdowns, until dinner. Squish was hungry, tired, and overstimulated. After a major tantrum, he managed to come to the table and eat, but demanded that no-one was allowed to talk; it had to be quiet. I tried to give him headphones, but as usual, he didn’t want them.

This made me think. Often we will tell the other kids that we will be quiet or stop whatever the offending sensory situation is, so that Squish is comfortable. But, as much as I want to be accommodating to Squish, is it fair to the rest of the family to do this? Dude has been having issues at school, which we think are a result of him not getting as much of his emotional needs met at home. I think things like the above are partly the cause; that he is regularly having to put aside his needs and wants in favor of his brother.

and honestly it changes everything once you understand it.

here's the thing —

when your autistic child melts down, refuses to get dressed, throws things, or shuts completely down...

they're not being difficult. they're communicating.

they just don't have a better way to say it yet.

that's literally the foundation of behavioural intervention for autism — understanding that every challenging behaviour is a message. your job (and the therapist's job) isn't to stop the behaviour. it's to figure out what the child is trying to say, and then teach them a clearer way to say it.

the stuff that actually helps 🌟

✦ visual schedules — autistic children do SO much better when they can see what's coming next. anxiety drops. meltdowns reduce. mornings get calmer. it sounds simple because it is.

✦ first-then boards — "first we brush teeth, then you get tablet time." clear. predictable. no surprises.

✦ token boards — earning tokens toward something they love makes big tasks feel reachable. motivation stays high.

✦ specific praise — not just "good job" but "well done for using your words to ask for a break." the child needs to know exactly what they did right.

✦ communication first — whether through words, pictures, signs, or a device. when a child can tell you they're overwhelmed, half the battle is already won.

real talk for parents 💙

the one-hour therapy session once a week? it matters.

but what YOU do at home every single day? that matters MORE.

the best autism therapy programs don't just work with the child. they train parents too — how to respond to meltdowns without escalating, how to use positive reinforcement consistently, how to set up the home environment so it's not working against your child all day.

you're not supposed to figure this out alone.

a few things worth knowing

🔹 meltdowns are usually about sensory overload, unexpected change, or an unmet need — not defiance

🔹 stimming (rocking, flapping, humming) often serves a real calming function — it's not always something to stop

🔹 rigid routines = your child trying to feel safe in an unpredictable world. work with that, not against it

🔹 social skills are teachable. "they'll pick it up eventually" is not always true, and waiting costs time

if you're in Hyderabad and looking for proper support — behavioural therapy, parent training, communication programs — it exists. you don't have to piece this together yourself.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects a child’s communication, behavior, and social interaction. Every child with autism is different, so parents need to adopt a personalized and patient approach. With the right guidance and support, children with autism can develop essential life skills and lead fulfilling lives.

One of the most important strategies for parents is maintaining a structured routine. Children with autism feel safe and comfortable in predictable environments, and consistency helps reduce anxiety and behavioral challenges . Using simple language, visual aids, and gestures can also improve communication, as many children process visual information better than verbal instructions. Positive reinforcement, such as praising or rewarding good behavior, plays a key role in encouraging learning and confidence.

Parents should also focus on understanding their child’s emotions and behaviors. Instead of viewing certain actions as “problems,” they should be seen as a way of communication. Engaging children in activities they enjoy, like art, play, or storytelling, helps improve social and cognitive skills . Early intervention therapies such as speech therapy or behavioral therapy can significantly enhance communication and development.

Equally important is parental well-being. Taking care of mental health and seeking support from professionals or communities helps parents stay strong and consistent in their child’s journey . Parenting a child with autism requires patience, love, and continuous learning.

In this insightful video by ASLP Anjali Sanwal, parents share real-life experiences, practical tips, and emotional journeys of raising children with autism.