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Let’s talk about Isla

2nd April 2016

Hello,

Today is World Autism Awareness Day, and World Autism Awareness Week starts today too. I thought there wouldn’t be a more apt time to talk about Isla, lay her progress down on ‘paper’ as it were, and tell you more about how we’re coping with her diagnosis.

I’m still learning a lot about how to talk about her autism in a way that doesn’t offend people, so if I phrase things wrong, I’m really sorry.

The beginning of February saw Isla start her speech therapy sessions in what is known as intensive interaction – building her speech up from the bottom upwards, mimicking sounds and noises that she would make, like you would with a baby, to encourage her to interact with us; to show her that playing with others is fun. She had 4 sessions of this, and since then, her eye contact has gone from 0-100, and we’re continuing this at home and at nursery. Because she’s looking at us more, she’s able to tell us when she wants things more, and because of that, her speech has started to improve a lot. She’s even saying the last words in sentences now, and for us that’s incredible.

On top of that, we’ve just started Sensory Processing sessions, to encourage her balance (as she’s quite clumsy) and to encourage her fear of certain textures. So far we’ve only had two, but the difference is already noticeable. Perhaps I’m hyper sensitive to it, but she’s dodging a lot more obstacles, and her motor skills are 100x better than before and her awareness is so much better.

It might not seem like an insane amount of progress since October, but to us, it is. In a few days we find out what school has accepted Isla, and we are so excited. We made the decision to go ‘mainstream’ because I wanted Isla to have a proper experience of school. Yes, she’ll have a 1-to-1 tutor, but that’s going to make a huge difference and being a 4 year old, you don’t know the difference between your peers. They don’t see colour, and if they don’t see that if someone doesn’t talk it’s not out of ignorance or rudness, they just accept – and that’s what I’d like for Isla.

I’d be lying if I said either of us has found this easy. I’d be lying if I said I often struggle to get my head around it all, but I know for Isla it’s important to keep strong because she’s going to need us a lot more now and I really am looking forward to seeing how she flourishes with our help and the help of the therapy.

I love that she now dances to music, and that she’ll look at us when she’s trying to say words or if she’s not entirely sure of herself when she’s playing with her numbered cards. I love that she loves kisses, and how excited she gets knowing she’s going to nursery or going shopping – a girl after my own heart. I’m so grateful that she doesn’t mind crowded places, that she quite likes having her hair done and that she loves being tickled – her laugh is honestly the best.

It would be amazing if you could donate. With the money, the NAS are able to set up incredible campaigns to highlight more awareness around autism, and get more of us understanding the ins and outs.

I feel so incredibly lucky to have a supportive family and partner. Particularly Adam, who has accepted Isla like his own, I’m so lucky to have him to lean on when things get a bit too much. And equally, I’m so proud of Isla and how well she’s doing – Onwards and upwards for us. Keep an eye out for my next post for World Autism Awareness Week. (:

Watch The A Word on BBC iPlayer too – so insightful.

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Styling the Bomber Jacket

    • OLA - i popped a new post up on my blog today (link is in my bio) and I’m chatting about ‘parental imposter syndrome’, partic. as an ASD parent, so go have a read. ✨

Today is a beautiful day and Isla’s not feeling very well so we’re gonna chill and watch some episodes of Show Me Show Me if that’s what she fancies doing! 
Happy Sunday pals.

Cardigan: @primark 
Jeans: @asos farleigh’s.
    • Last one from Barcelona okayokayOKAY. I have GOT to get the backgrounds of my photos in shot *cough*adam*cough* 🌝 - but I loved this outfit and honestly kept me warmer than I thought. 
I am knackered today? I think it’s from last night’s netballin’ (LOVED IT) so I think an early night is on the cards if Isla is kind to me 😰. Also just cooked a banging creamy prawn and mushroom spaghetti thing and it tasted pretty good considering cooking is not my forté! 
Slip dress: @topshop 
Roll neck: @primark 
Boots: @topshop 
Hat: @asos 
Belt: @topshop
    • SUNDAY: the last day of my week off and I am feeling very sad about it tbh. It was so needed, and I feel refreshed, even after all that walking but... going back to work just sucks doesn’t it haha. 
I’ve been taking advantage of just sitting in bed, drinking tea whilst Isla bounds around the house shouting things (i do love it when she does that). I’ve also finished The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, which I am gutted about because I LOVED everything about it, and started New Amsterdam which I also love because I’m a big Grey’s fan and it’s very similar - if you like a medical drama I’d recommend!

Anyway i’ll stop rambling now and say I’ve got a lil post going up today at some point and here’s another outfit from Barcelona! ✨

Top: @topshop 
Skirt: @nastygal 
Necklace: @muru_jewellery
    • There’s been lots of Show Me Show Me, tower building, number counting, marmite sandwiches and glasses of water with this one today. She’s also been SUPER chatty and it’s great because it’s beginning to feel like a lil conversation now. 
Now though? Mulan. 💕✨ #parenting #pbloggersuk #pbloggers #daughter #autism #autismawareness #spectrum_inspired #islasophiaalexandrab
    • YEP still sharing outfits from my trip cause they’re relatively weather appropriate for the UK right now too!
Love a bit of B/W stylin’ & now I’m gonna make myself tea and butter some hot cross buns (YES ALREADY) and watch The Marvelous Mrs Maisel because my god, it’s good. I do not plan on moving much this weekend and it is so, so needed.✨ Hat: @asos 
Slip dress: @topshop 
Roll neck: @primark 
Belt: @topshop
    • I’ve had this red knotted headband since last summer but never managed to feel OK wearing it? I threw it into my suitcase on the off chance it would look alright and HEY, i didn’t hate it! So naturally I’m gonna need a mustard one and a leopard print one and a deep green one now cause I love ‘em.

Jumper: @newlook 
Satin skirt: @primark 
Trainers: @asos 
Headband: @hm
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