As many of you know my handsome blue eyed little boy Seán was diagnosed with Autism early last year. 1 in 65 children in Ireland have Autism. That is a lot of children, yet there is not enough awareness, let alone intervention for these children. There are also very few support networks for families of children with Autism. While I would not change one thing about Seán, there is a hell of a lot of things I would like to change in the world for him. However I am not a miracle worker, I am only one person. What has helped me this last year is not only my close friends and family but also the support and advise and the social outlet I have received from Snowflakes Autism Support. They are an amazing group of people, all of whom have children with Autism, but also volunteer their time to provide families with as much information as possible as well as fantastic trips out where we can bring our little snowflakes and allow them to be themselves. 

Let me tell you a bit more about Seán. He is the funniest little 5 year old that you will ever come across. He even calls himself 'The Master of being Funny'. Every day he comes out with the funniest of things that have you cracking up laughing. Today being one of them ; apparently he is calling his teddy 'Chuck Norris' or 'Ted Norris'.. Now don't even ask me where he even heard of Chuck Norris. 

They say kids with autism have no empathy, well Seán is such a caring little boy, so caring that he would actually melt your heart. They also say children with autism have no imagination, well let me tell you that, that couldn't be further from the truth with Seán. His imagination goes into overdrive. Seán is also ridiculously intelligent. Numbers and maths are his thing. Anything to do with numbers, Seán is your man. I reckon he is going to be a mathematician when he is older that's for sure. 

While from the outside Seán looks and sounds like a typical 5 year old boy, being on the spectrum affects him on a daily basis, let me tell you how!! 
Routine is a major thing for Seán, he has to know what is happening all the time and every day and at various times through the day. He needs a visual schedule in school to help him transition through his school day easier. He has to know about everything in advance and he is a constant clock watcher. A change in that routine can cause major meltdowns and also at times a refusal to go to school. Which means I have to leave him with his SNA while he has a complete meltdown, hoping he calms down enough to stay in school for the day. Thankfully we haven't had a phonecall yet. 

He wouldn't be the best eater due to his sensory issues and food aversions. Smells, noises, crowded areas can drive him mad to the point of a meltdown. That's where ear defenders come in handy. 

He lacks in social skills. He can't just make friends and join in a group of pals like most other 5 year old boys would. He is still learning how to make friends and how to play in a way that everyone is happy. He struggles to show an interest in his peer's news unless it is interesting to him. If it's not he walks away, but he is not being rude, he just doesn't know how to respond appropriately yet. But I know he will get there in his own time. 

Seán struggles in a lot of other areas but I don't like to focus on them as he has so many strengths that make him just amazing. He is my special little trooper and I love him with all my heart. And if raising some money for a fantastic cause such as Snowflakes helps Seán and other families too, well come snow, hail or shine I will work my big ass off to get fitter to make it to the end of the mini marathon. 

So dig deep and help me raise much much needed funds for an amazing cause. 
Thanks so much
Wendy