This last week has been nothing short of incredible, filled with massive milestones, long awaited achievements, and heartwarming moments that have left us feeling both grateful and hopeful for the future. The last 6 months have not been plain sailing by any stretch but we are finishing the final push of the summer term on a real high and let me tell you, we are ready for a break!
A Transformative Visit to the Autism & ADHD Show
Last weekend we had the privilege of attending the Autism & ADHD Show in London, and what an experience it was! Archie and I are not able to host an exhibition yet, as much as I would LOVE to, its way too much for Archie. Instead, we talk to exhibitors, listen to industry expert speakers and create content that will hopefully support our awesome families. The event was a treasure trove of information, support, and inspiration for families like ours. We explored innovative tools, therapies, and resources that promise to make a difference in the lives of neurodivergent individuals. This is definitely my happy place 🙂
The highlight for us was connecting with experts and fellow parents who truly understand the challenges and triumphs of raising a child with unique needs. Their insights were invaluable, and we left the event with renewed energy and ideas to support Archie and Herbie on their journey. Massive thanks to Dr Naomi Fisher who has armed us with an immense amount of support knowledge in the wonderful world of demand avoidance. We will be blogging a lot about this over the summer hols so do follow along.
Winning our Appeal: A Victory for Archie.
One of the most challenging aspects of our family and educational journey has been fighting for Archie’s education and ensuring his needs are met. This is genuinely a full time job and so often you feel like you are going unheard. We know that most parents with neurodivergent children will have already, or will in the future, experience this. NOTHING is given on a platter and you have to advocate and push to know that your child is receiving the correct level of support for them. Happily after almost 7 months of persistence and determination, we are thrilled to share that we won our appeal!
This victory means that Archie has been accepted into a new school that is tailored to his needs, where he’ll receive the specialized support and nurturing environment he truly deserves. Knowing that he’ll have the tools and guidance to thrive has lifted an enormous weight off our shoulders. We can, for a little while at least…rest!
None of this would have been possible without the incredible support system we’ve had throughout this process. To every friend, family member, professional, and organization that stood by us: thank you from the bottom of our hearts. WE DID IT!!!!
Your encouragement gave us the strength to keep pushing forward, even when the path seemed uncertain. From attending endless legal meetings and writing letters to simply lending an ear when we needed it most, your kindess has made a lasting impact on our family.
As we celebrate these milestones, we’re also looking to the future with optimism. The Autism & ADHD Show gave us new tools and strategies, and Archie’s new school marks the start of a brighter chapter.
We hope our journey inspires others to never give up, to seek out the right resources, and to lean on their community for support. Together, we can create a world where every child has the opportunity to shine.
Thank you for being part of our story. Here’s to the next chapter in Archie’s journey!
Lastly, Our Awesome Handbook
“The Awesome Handbook” is our latest book created as resource to help support neurodivergent families—especially those navigating PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), autism, and ADHD.
It is a deliberately “back to basics” overview for school staff and parents who are at the start of their learning journey or need a refresher. We have taken a lot of time to ensure that the fundamentals, basics and commonalities found in the DSM-5 criteria is adressed
( so many have no idea what that is….why would you unless you need to?)
In essence, the Awesome Handbook is not a conventional handbook you’d buy, but rather:
- A lived-experience manual based on real family life and real emotions,
- An informal guide full of on-the-ground tips,
- And a community resource, offering reassurance that you’re not alone on your journey.
If you’re interested in getting involved, learning more, or supporting our work, the site and social accounts (Instagram @awesome_archie_official, etc.) are great places to start and if you would like to purchase this book click here ⬇