This week I get to speak with Wemima (Wemzy), a mum of three autistic children. They live in the North of England, and Wemzy shares stories from their lives on her TikTok and Instagram pages Aqotas.

If you spend any time on the autism side of TikTok, then I’m sure you will have come across their page and their wonderful family. There are so many heartwarming, funny videos that she shares, and the bond between them all is lovely to watch.

We talk about the early days, getting an autism diagnosis for her eldest, Shaheem, and what she learned along the way. Shaheem, Soufiyan and Sousan have very different personalities and needs, so we talk about the balancing act it takes to try and meet those needs and keep everybody happy.

I met Wemzy at the start of the summer at the SEN Reform Protest, so we talked about her family’s experience with the schooling system.

Each of her children has different levels of communication and spoken words, we talk about that development, and how important the use of AAC has been in their home.

We talk about autism within the African community and some of the stigma and misinformation that has made life more challenging for her family. Wemzy also talks very openly and honestly about how religious abuse is also so prevalent, and the damage it does to so many within the community.

Wemzy is hugely passionate about standing up for her beliefs, and for those who need support, something she offers each day through her stories and the relationships she’s built online. I loved getting to know more about her and her story, and I’m sure you will too.

To find out more about Wemzy and her family, you can follow her on

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aqotas/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aqotas

To follow us and learn more about me and my boys

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutautism/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stories_about_autism

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesaboutautism

This week I’m joined by Ashley Blaker. Ashley is a dad of 6, that’s right 6 kids. Two of his children are autistic, and he also has an adopted daughter who has Down Syndrome. As well as being a dad, Ashley is a comedian and writer and has been part of numerous TV and radio shows such as Little Britain, V Graham Norton, and Fantasy Football League, as well as two Off-Broadway shows.

Ashley recorded a BBC Radio 4 show with his family, Ashley Blaker 6.5 Children, which is part stand-up, part documentary, where they discuss parenting, adoption, and raising children with special needs.

This has led to his new book, Normal Schmormal which he describes as his occasionally helpful guide to parenting kids with special needs.

It’s a part memoir, part how-to guide, sharing the challenges as well as the many rewarding and happy moments of parenting children with additional needs. I found the book insightful and funny in equal measure, and well worth a read for any family with SEN in their lives.

We get to talk about the journey Ashley and his family have been on and the complicated juggling of such a large family with contrasting needs. From the endless meetings and appointments to the battles with the schooling system. The progress his kids have made, learning to ignore the idiots, and Ashley’s hopes for the future.

I loved getting to know more about Ashley and his family, and I’m sure you will too.

Let me know what you thought about the episode in the comments.

To find out more about Ashley and his work head over to his website

This week I’m joined by Stephanie Vavron, who tells us her family’s story about autism. Steph lives in Scotland, is a single mum of two, and her youngest, Max, is autistic and also has Cerebral Palsy.

I first became aware of Steph last year when one of her TikTok videos about the packed lunches she makes for Max went viral. Whereas many autistic kids will only eat what’s often described as beige food, Max is the complete opposite and loves spicy foods and different textures.

Join us as we talk about

- Max's diagnosis, and what led Steph to push for one - What autism means for Max - Meltdowns and self-injurious behaviours - Co-parenting, and the juggle of work and meeting Max's needs - The school system and some of the problems facing families across the UK - The importance of community and finding others who you can relate to

Follow Steph

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanievavron/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanievavron

For more from me

Substack: https://storiesaboutautism.substack.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutautism/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stories_about_autism

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesaboutautism

Thanks for listening