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

On this week’s episode of the Stories About Autism Podcast , I’m joined by TJ from the social media pages Nigh Functioning Autism. TJ is an autistic adult who was diagnosed in her teens, along with diagnoses of epilepsy, OCD, and ADHD. She is a single mum of 3, and two of her children are autistic. I’ve been speaking with TJ online for years, and often picking her brain as she is such a font of knowledge, and always happy to help, as anyone who already follows her will know, especially. This is especially true when it comes to using AAC devices just like my son Tommy does.

In this episode, we talk about some really important topics, including

* The shock TJ had when received her autism diagnosis

* Going through the autism diagnosis process with 2 of her children

* TJ’s own communication struggles and the difference AAC has made to her life

* Some tips from TJ on how to get started with AAC and implement it at home

* The power of social media and the community and how combined with her autism diagnosis, it helped her feel human for the first time in her life.

* We discuss some of the divisions within the autism community, and how deep down we all want the same thing

* ABA, and some of the differences in the systems in the US and the UK

* We touch on some of the difficulties black and brown families face in America, in particular, related to autism and disability.

* The police’s lack of understanding when it comes to disability, and the fear families have when it comes to keeping their disabled family members safe

You can find out more about TJ and follow her in the places below

Instagram:

Facebook:

TikTok:

YouTube:

To listen to the episode in your favourite podcast player click here

This week I talk with Martin, an autistic adult from Denmark. Martin also has diagnoses of ADHD and Tourettes, and shares stories from his life on his Instagram and TikTok pages A Different Spectrum. Join us as we talk about

• Martin's autism diagnosis as a child
• Masking at school and what it felt like
• Meltdowns and shutdowns
• Special interests
• Stimming and why it's so important
• AAC communication
• Autism and the LGBTQ community
• How blogging has helped him find community

Follow Martin

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

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

Follow me:

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

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

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@storiesaboutautism

I hope you enjoyed the episode. If you did please leave a review and subscribe to help others find the podcast and ensure you don't miss an episode

This week I talk with Nicola, a mum of three girls, including Hallie who is autistic. Nicola has been sharing her family's story on Instagram and TikTok for the last 18 months on her page Happy Hands With Hallie. 

Join us as we talk about

• Early signs of autism in Hallie
• Fighting for an autism diagnosis
• Autism in girls
• Autism and food
• Sensory challenges
• Sleep
• Hallie's relationship with her sisters
• EHCP's and applying for a school place

Follow Nicola

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090140610963

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@happyhandswith_hallie

Follow me:

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

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

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@storiesaboutautism

I hope you enjoyed the episode. If you did please leave a review and subscribe to help others find the podcast and ensure you don't miss an episode

Join me as I chat with Jan and Tabitha from Hunrosa Sleep Consultancy, discussing why so many autistic people struggle with sleep, and what we can do to make sleep better for the whole family. 

In this episode we talk about

• Why so many autistic people struggle with sleep
• How our sensory system impacts sleep
• Melatonin - what it is and is it safe?
• Tips to improve the bedtime routine
• What to do when our kids wake up in the night
• Co-sleeping
• How to make seasonal changes easier
• How parents can improve their own sleep

You can find out more about Hunrosa, their services, and their app : https://hunrosa.co.uk/

Their free resources: https://hunrosa.co.uk/resources/

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunrosa.sleep/

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

To book a free consultation: https://calendly.com/sleepmeet/talk-to-a-sleep-consultant?month=2023-07

Follow me:

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

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

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

For exclusive content and monthly zoom call, support the podcast: https://www.facebook.com/storiesaboutautism/support/

I hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, please leave a review and subscribe to help others find the podcast

In this episode, me and Heidi discuss

• Her son Theo's mental health crisis, brought on by his struggles at school as an undiagnosed autistic student
• Realising that Theo was autistic, and what little she knew about autism
• Battling with professionals to recognise her son was autistic and needed support. 
• EOTAS (Education Other Than At School) and how that saved Theo
• Advice for parents of children who are struggling at school
• Heidi's own autism diagnosis, and the impact it has had on her life
• The importance of Sensory regulation
• Why you should explore an autism diagnosis even as an adult
• The power of community
• Heidi's book "Your Child Is Not Broken"

Follow Heidi

Website:https://www.heidimavir.com/

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

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/heidi.bangtidy

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

Her book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Child-Not-Broken-Neurodivergent/dp/1035030578/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=heidi+mavir+my+child+is+not+broken&qid=1689718020&sprefix=heidi+ma%2Caps%2C68&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Follow me:

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

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

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

Become a Supporter: https://www.facebook.com/becomesupporter/storiesaboutautism/

(For exclusive content and a monthly zoom meet up)

I hope you enjoyed the episode. If you did please subscribe and leave a review to help others find the podcast