It's been the week of attending an interview for college. Mr T will end his time at his present setting where he has been really settled for three years now. So now it's time for a move and a big change.

I say interview but really it was just a chat for us to sit down and discuss Mr T's needs and whether the college could meet them to be able to support him. It was very thourough and I was impressed how they went into every detail really. This gave me as a parent reassurance that it was going to be the right place for him. 

I think even on the initial visit before we decided it was a great place, it's like any other big decision, sometimes you just know when it feels right. I was a bit nervous on interview day, probably more so than Mr T. He needs a lot of support through this process. I don't know about you as parents but there is finding a balance of supporting and not answering for them too much. 

I have always been conscience of this recently. I mean when he was younger it was easier but now Mr T is an adult, I want to let him speak up for himself but these things make you realise sometimes it is very hard for him. It's a situation where it brings home the reality of his autism and how vulnerable he is with his difficulties in communicating.

We got through though with amazing support from the college and he now has a place on a Pathway to Independence course. This course is very different from the one he is on at the moment as it will involve more practical life skills and no academic work. Mr T is happy and it's a move forward to starting in September.

Overall I felt really pleased with the process, how the college representative conducted the interview and we feel it is going to be the right course. If you are in a similar situation, don't worry it is always difficult talking through your child or your youngs persons needs. Some find it harder than others, some find it really easy but it gets the correct support in the end and that's what we all want.

Thank so much for reading today, I will be back tomorrow for Pass the Remote Sunday for for now.....

​Take care.

It was quite nice that our meeting at the National Autistic Society Derby Branch this month coincided with Autism Awareness Week. What a lovely meeting which did include some AGM business but that was soon sorted and we all decided to continue as we were for another year....woo hoo!!

It was so good to sit down, relax and have a chat. We were supposed to discuss places to visit as the school holidays are approaching but we ended up discussing our own autism. There were people in the room already diagnosed and some thinking of a diagnosis and it was fun to discover more about each other.

We talked about words we liked and some we disliked, certain routines and the diagnosis process itself. I think even though a couple of us came into the meeting a bit frazzled, tired and just generally stressed, we all left quite relaxed and chilled, a complete contrast. That was support working right there and it was so clear to see it worked.

What great evening and may they continue too, a lot coming up with speakers and workshops to give people that help they may need and lots of useful information.

Thank you for reading today, come back tomorrow for some natter about the telly on Pass the Remote Sunday  but for now......

Take care.