Autism Blog — Cecily Paterson

The autism blog I used to write, following the adventures of my son and I, as we got through life after diagnosis.

For my son's privacy, this blog is now closed, but you're welcome to read, and to grab a copy of the book about us. If you'd like to read from the beginning, here's the first post.

Or just browse below, or search.

Autism Blog

Apr 18, 2014 friends, updates, regulation, competence Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Apr 18, 2014 friends, updates, regulation, competence Firewheel Press 1 Comment

About friends. And playdates. And other unthinkable blessings.

Apr 18, 2014 friends, updates, regulation, competence Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Apr 18, 2014 friends, updates, regulation, competence Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Apr 18, 2014 friends, updates, regulation, competence Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Apr 18, 2014 friends, updates, regulation, competence Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Mar 17, 2014 competence, family, fun, guide-apprentice, perseverance, parenting, progress, regulation, resilience, siblings, tantrums Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Mar 17, 2014 competence, family, fun, guide-apprentice, perseverance, parenting, progress, regulation, resilience, siblings, tantrums Firewheel Press 1 Comment

My ridiculous dreams about our family life

Mar 17, 2014 competence, family, fun, guide-apprentice, perseverance, parenting, progress, regulation, resilience, siblings, tantrums Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Mar 17, 2014 competence, family, fun, guide-apprentice, perseverance, parenting, progress, regulation, resilience, siblings, tantrums Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Mar 17, 2014 competence, family, fun, guide-apprentice, perseverance, parenting, progress, regulation, resilience, siblings, tantrums Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Mar 17, 2014 competence, family, fun, guide-apprentice, perseverance, parenting, progress, regulation, resilience, siblings, tantrums Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Sep 7, 2013 competence, fun, regulation, resilience Firewheel Press Comment

Sep 7, 2013 competence, fun, regulation, resilience Firewheel Press Comment

A [camping] birthday party sleepover!

Sep 7, 2013 competence, fun, regulation, resilience Firewheel Press Comment

Sep 7, 2013 competence, fun, regulation, resilience Firewheel Press Comment

Sep 7, 2013 competence, fun, regulation, resilience Firewheel Press Comment

Sep 7, 2013 competence, fun, regulation, resilience Firewheel Press Comment

Aug 24, 2013 competence, parenting, resilience, solutions Firewheel Press Comment

Aug 24, 2013 competence, parenting, resilience, solutions Firewheel Press Comment

Dealing with the insults and bad behaviour with a behaviour contract

Aug 24, 2013 competence, parenting, resilience, solutions Firewheel Press Comment

Aug 24, 2013 competence, parenting, resilience, solutions Firewheel Press Comment

Aug 24, 2013 competence, parenting, resilience, solutions Firewheel Press Comment

Aug 24, 2013 competence, parenting, resilience, solutions Firewheel Press Comment

Aug 10, 2013 competence, guide-apprentice, reactions, regulation, updates Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Aug 10, 2013 competence, guide-apprentice, reactions, regulation, updates Firewheel Press 2 Comments

When falling off your bike is a good thing

Aug 10, 2013 competence, guide-apprentice, reactions, regulation, updates Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Aug 10, 2013 competence, guide-apprentice, reactions, regulation, updates Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Aug 10, 2013 competence, guide-apprentice, reactions, regulation, updates Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Aug 10, 2013 competence, guide-apprentice, reactions, regulation, updates Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Jul 8, 2013 competence Firewheel Press 3 Comments

Jul 8, 2013 competence Firewheel Press 3 Comments

New hobbies

Jul 8, 2013 competence Firewheel Press 3 Comments

Jul 8, 2013 competence Firewheel Press 3 Comments

Jul 8, 2013 competence Firewheel Press 3 Comments

Jul 8, 2013 competence Firewheel Press 3 Comments

Apr 24, 2013 RDI, competence, family, parenting, resilience, siblings, tantrums Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Apr 24, 2013 RDI, competence, family, parenting, resilience, siblings, tantrums Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Living in a verbal war zone

Apr 24, 2013 RDI, competence, family, parenting, resilience, siblings, tantrums Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Apr 24, 2013 RDI, competence, family, parenting, resilience, siblings, tantrums Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Apr 24, 2013 RDI, competence, family, parenting, resilience, siblings, tantrums Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Apr 24, 2013 RDI, competence, family, parenting, resilience, siblings, tantrums Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Apr 1, 2013 RDI, competence, guide-apprentice, parenting, therapy, treatment Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Apr 1, 2013 RDI, competence, guide-apprentice, parenting, therapy, treatment Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Does autism need 'fixing'?

Apr 1, 2013 RDI, competence, guide-apprentice, parenting, therapy, treatment Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Apr 1, 2013 RDI, competence, guide-apprentice, parenting, therapy, treatment Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Apr 1, 2013 RDI, competence, guide-apprentice, parenting, therapy, treatment Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Apr 1, 2013 RDI, competence, guide-apprentice, parenting, therapy, treatment Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Dec 23, 2012 competence, fun, perseverance, progress, tantrums Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Dec 23, 2012 competence, fun, perseverance, progress, tantrums Firewheel Press 2 Comments

...and then I remember...

Dec 23, 2012 competence, fun, perseverance, progress, tantrums Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Dec 23, 2012 competence, fun, perseverance, progress, tantrums Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Dec 23, 2012 competence, fun, perseverance, progress, tantrums Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Dec 23, 2012 competence, fun, perseverance, progress, tantrums Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Oct 26, 2012 competence, fun, outings Firewheel Press Comment

Oct 26, 2012 competence, fun, outings Firewheel Press Comment

Dream Cricket 'the best day in the world'

Oct 26, 2012 competence, fun, outings Firewheel Press Comment

Oct 26, 2012 competence, fun, outings Firewheel Press Comment

Oct 26, 2012 competence, fun, outings Firewheel Press Comment

Oct 26, 2012 competence, fun, outings Firewheel Press Comment

Oct 22, 2012 competence, family, grief, stories, therapy Firewheel Press Comment

Oct 22, 2012 competence, family, grief, stories, therapy Firewheel Press Comment

See Cecily speak

Oct 22, 2012 competence, family, grief, stories, therapy Firewheel Press Comment

Oct 22, 2012 competence, family, grief, stories, therapy Firewheel Press Comment

Oct 22, 2012 competence, family, grief, stories, therapy Firewheel Press Comment

Oct 22, 2012 competence, family, grief, stories, therapy Firewheel Press Comment

Oct 16, 2012 competence, getting help, guide-apprentice, intervention, parenting, perseverance, regulation, treatment Firewheel Press Comment

Oct 16, 2012 competence, getting help, guide-apprentice, intervention, parenting, perseverance, regulation, treatment Firewheel Press Comment

Solving problems with your child is a long term journey

Oct 16, 2012 competence, getting help, guide-apprentice, intervention, parenting, perseverance, regulation, treatment Firewheel Press Comment

Oct 16, 2012 competence, getting help, guide-apprentice, intervention, parenting, perseverance, regulation, treatment Firewheel Press Comment

Oct 16, 2012 competence, getting help, guide-apprentice, intervention, parenting, perseverance, regulation, treatment Firewheel Press Comment

Oct 16, 2012 competence, getting help, guide-apprentice, intervention, parenting, perseverance, regulation, treatment Firewheel Press Comment

Sep 15, 2012 RDI, competence, guide-apprentice, regulation, resilience, siblings, tantrums Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Sep 15, 2012 RDI, competence, guide-apprentice, regulation, resilience, siblings, tantrums Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Party overload and a meltdown

Sep 15, 2012 RDI, competence, guide-apprentice, regulation, resilience, siblings, tantrums Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Sep 15, 2012 RDI, competence, guide-apprentice, regulation, resilience, siblings, tantrums Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Sep 15, 2012 RDI, competence, guide-apprentice, regulation, resilience, siblings, tantrums Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Sep 15, 2012 RDI, competence, guide-apprentice, regulation, resilience, siblings, tantrums Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Sep 7, 2012 competence, progress, resilience, school, updates Firewheel Press 5 Comments

Sep 7, 2012 competence, progress, resilience, school, updates Firewheel Press 5 Comments

My son is a show-stealer

Sep 7, 2012 competence, progress, resilience, school, updates Firewheel Press 5 Comments

Sep 7, 2012 competence, progress, resilience, school, updates Firewheel Press 5 Comments

Sep 7, 2012 competence, progress, resilience, school, updates Firewheel Press 5 Comments

Sep 7, 2012 competence, progress, resilience, school, updates Firewheel Press 5 Comments

Aug 31, 2012 competence, resilience, siblings Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Aug 31, 2012 competence, resilience, siblings Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Who needs a psychologist when you have Thomas the Tank Engine?

Aug 31, 2012 competence, resilience, siblings Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Aug 31, 2012 competence, resilience, siblings Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Aug 31, 2012 competence, resilience, siblings Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Aug 31, 2012 competence, resilience, siblings Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Jul 25, 2012 competence, development, regulation, resilience, school Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Jul 25, 2012 competence, development, regulation, resilience, school Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Bribery, or a lesson in dealing with anxiety.

Jul 25, 2012 competence, development, regulation, resilience, school Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Jul 25, 2012 competence, development, regulation, resilience, school Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Jul 25, 2012 competence, development, regulation, resilience, school Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Jul 25, 2012 competence, development, regulation, resilience, school Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Jul 3, 2012 competence, development, family, outings, resilience, tantrums, updates Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Jul 3, 2012 competence, development, family, outings, resilience, tantrums, updates Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Handling the meltdowns on holidays

Jul 3, 2012 competence, development, family, outings, resilience, tantrums, updates Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Jul 3, 2012 competence, development, family, outings, resilience, tantrums, updates Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Jul 3, 2012 competence, development, family, outings, resilience, tantrums, updates Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Jul 3, 2012 competence, development, family, outings, resilience, tantrums, updates Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Jun 22, 2012 competence, parenting, progress, school, updates Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Jun 22, 2012 competence, parenting, progress, school, updates Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Excursion wrapup

Jun 22, 2012 competence, parenting, progress, school, updates Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Jun 22, 2012 competence, parenting, progress, school, updates Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Jun 22, 2012 competence, parenting, progress, school, updates Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Jun 22, 2012 competence, parenting, progress, school, updates Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Jun 14, 2012 RDI, competence, development, getting help, homeopathy, intervention, perseverance, progress, treatment, updates Firewheel Press Comment

Jun 14, 2012 RDI, competence, development, getting help, homeopathy, intervention, perseverance, progress, treatment, updates Firewheel Press Comment

If you had told me he would go on an overnight school excursion, I would have laughed in your face.

Jun 14, 2012 RDI, competence, development, getting help, homeopathy, intervention, perseverance, progress, treatment, updates Firewheel Press Comment

Jun 14, 2012 RDI, competence, development, getting help, homeopathy, intervention, perseverance, progress, treatment, updates Firewheel Press Comment

Jun 14, 2012 RDI, competence, development, getting help, homeopathy, intervention, perseverance, progress, treatment, updates Firewheel Press Comment

Jun 14, 2012 RDI, competence, development, getting help, homeopathy, intervention, perseverance, progress, treatment, updates Firewheel Press Comment

May 4, 2012 competence, progress, updates Firewheel Press Comment

May 4, 2012 competence, progress, updates Firewheel Press Comment

Cross country joy!

May 4, 2012 competence, progress, updates Firewheel Press Comment

May 4, 2012 competence, progress, updates Firewheel Press Comment

May 4, 2012 competence, progress, updates Firewheel Press Comment

May 4, 2012 competence, progress, updates Firewheel Press Comment

Apr 25, 2012 competence, outings, progress, resilience, siblings, updates Firewheel Press Comment

Apr 25, 2012 competence, outings, progress, resilience, siblings, updates Firewheel Press Comment

Magical sister whisperer

Apr 25, 2012 competence, outings, progress, resilience, siblings, updates Firewheel Press Comment

Apr 25, 2012 competence, outings, progress, resilience, siblings, updates Firewheel Press Comment

Apr 25, 2012 competence, outings, progress, resilience, siblings, updates Firewheel Press Comment

Apr 25, 2012 competence, outings, progress, resilience, siblings, updates Firewheel Press Comment

Jan 17, 2012 competence, development, parenting, perseverance Firewheel Press Comment

Jan 17, 2012 competence, development, parenting, perseverance Firewheel Press Comment

Motivation for chores

Jan 17, 2012 competence, development, parenting, perseverance Firewheel Press Comment

Jan 17, 2012 competence, development, parenting, perseverance Firewheel Press Comment

Jan 17, 2012 competence, development, parenting, perseverance Firewheel Press Comment

Jan 17, 2012 competence, development, parenting, perseverance Firewheel Press Comment

Dec 19, 2011 RDI, competence, regulation, scripts Firewheel Press Comment

Dec 19, 2011 RDI, competence, regulation, scripts Firewheel Press Comment

Scripts on anxiety

Dec 19, 2011 RDI, competence, regulation, scripts Firewheel Press Comment

Dec 19, 2011 RDI, competence, regulation, scripts Firewheel Press Comment

Dec 19, 2011 RDI, competence, regulation, scripts Firewheel Press Comment

Dec 19, 2011 RDI, competence, regulation, scripts Firewheel Press Comment

May 7, 2011 RDI, competence, development, getting help, language, perseverance, solutions, speech, therapy bedtime, consultant, conversation Firewheel Press 2 Comments

May 7, 2011 RDI, competence, development, getting help, language, perseverance, solutions, speech, therapy bedtime, consultant, conversation Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Bedtime is chat time.

May 7, 2011 RDI, competence, development, getting help, language, perseverance, solutions, speech, therapy bedtime, consultant, conversation Firewheel Press 2 Comments

May 7, 2011 RDI, competence, development, getting help, language, perseverance, solutions, speech, therapy bedtime, consultant, conversation Firewheel Press 2 Comments

May 7, 2011 RDI, competence, development, getting help, language, perseverance, solutions, speech, therapy bedtime, consultant, conversation Firewheel Press 2 Comments

May 7, 2011 RDI, competence, development, getting help, language, perseverance, solutions, speech, therapy bedtime, consultant, conversation Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Mar 24, 2011 competence, perseverance, progress, reactions, resilience, school, scripts, tantrums, updates Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Mar 24, 2011 competence, perseverance, progress, reactions, resilience, school, scripts, tantrums, updates Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Autism. Cross Country, and the aftermath.

Mar 24, 2011 competence, perseverance, progress, reactions, resilience, school, scripts, tantrums, updates Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Mar 24, 2011 competence, perseverance, progress, reactions, resilience, school, scripts, tantrums, updates Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Mar 24, 2011 competence, perseverance, progress, reactions, resilience, school, scripts, tantrums, updates Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Mar 24, 2011 competence, perseverance, progress, reactions, resilience, school, scripts, tantrums, updates Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Dec 7, 2010 RDI, competence, development, family, food, guide-apprentice, perseverance, regulation, school Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Dec 7, 2010 RDI, competence, development, family, food, guide-apprentice, perseverance, regulation, school Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Autism. Skipping miracles

Dec 7, 2010 RDI, competence, development, family, food, guide-apprentice, perseverance, regulation, school Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Dec 7, 2010 RDI, competence, development, family, food, guide-apprentice, perseverance, regulation, school Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Dec 7, 2010 RDI, competence, development, family, food, guide-apprentice, perseverance, regulation, school Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Dec 7, 2010 RDI, competence, development, family, food, guide-apprentice, perseverance, regulation, school Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Nov 10, 2010 RDI, competence, guide-apprentice, outings, school Firewheel Press Comment

Nov 10, 2010 RDI, competence, guide-apprentice, outings, school Firewheel Press Comment

Autism. Robot shirt.

Nov 10, 2010 RDI, competence, guide-apprentice, outings, school Firewheel Press Comment

Nov 10, 2010 RDI, competence, guide-apprentice, outings, school Firewheel Press Comment

Nov 10, 2010 RDI, competence, guide-apprentice, outings, school Firewheel Press Comment

Nov 10, 2010 RDI, competence, guide-apprentice, outings, school Firewheel Press Comment

Sep 5, 2010 competence, development, guide-apprentice, language, perseverance, resilience, solutions, tantrums Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Sep 5, 2010 competence, development, guide-apprentice, language, perseverance, resilience, solutions, tantrums Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Autism. Stop. Sssh. Think.

Sep 5, 2010 competence, development, guide-apprentice, language, perseverance, resilience, solutions, tantrums Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Sep 5, 2010 competence, development, guide-apprentice, language, perseverance, resilience, solutions, tantrums Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Sep 5, 2010 competence, development, guide-apprentice, language, perseverance, resilience, solutions, tantrums Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Sep 5, 2010 competence, development, guide-apprentice, language, perseverance, resilience, solutions, tantrums Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Jul 13, 2010 competence, progress, school Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Jul 13, 2010 competence, progress, school Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Autism. Writing notes

Jul 13, 2010 competence, progress, school Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Jul 13, 2010 competence, progress, school Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Jul 13, 2010 competence, progress, school Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Jul 13, 2010 competence, progress, school Firewheel Press 1 Comment

Mar 30, 2010 competence, development, fun, pictures, updates Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Mar 30, 2010 competence, development, fun, pictures, updates Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Autism. His first letter.

Mar 30, 2010 competence, development, fun, pictures, updates Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Mar 30, 2010 competence, development, fun, pictures, updates Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Mar 30, 2010 competence, development, fun, pictures, updates Firewheel Press 2 Comments

Mar 30, 2010 competence, development, fun, pictures, updates Firewheel Press 2 Comments

If 1 in 68 children were born without legs...

Firewheel PressMay 03, 2014Comment

The terrible troubles with leaving

Firewheel PressApril 24, 2014Comment

About friends. And playdates. And other unthinkable blessings.

friends, updates, regulation, competenceFirewheel PressApril 18, 2014 {@} Comments

Our Year of Food: Chicken Soup

diet, food, progressFirewheel PressMarch 27, 2014Comment

A little warm fuzzy

Firewheel PressMarch 20, 2014 {@} Comments

My ridiculous dreams about our family life

competence, family, fun, guide-apprentice, perseverance, parenting, progress, regulation, resilience, siblings, tantrumsFirewheel PressMarch 17, 2014 {@} Comments

How to insult your maths homework book

Firewheel PressMarch 13, 2014 {@} Comments

I'm the worst mother in the world, and then we played Scrabble

I'm the worst mother in the world, and then we played Scrabble

Firewheel PressFebruary 04, 2014 {@} Comments

This is not about *that* son, it's about the other one

Firewheel PressJanuary 21, 2014 {@} Comments

Musical madness

Firewheel PressDecember 10, 2013Comment

Treat me like a big kid and I'll live up to your expectations (mostly)

Firewheel PressNovember 27, 2013 {@} Comments

The *real* problem with the tantrums

RDI, regulation, tantrumsFirewheel PressOctober 28, 2013 {@} Comments

That melty heart moment

episodic memory, love, RDI, regulationFirewheel PressOctober 19, 2013 {@} Comments

18 Things I Hate

tantrumsFirewheel PressOctober 03, 2013Comment

Sometimes I forget about how hard it all was

Firewheel PressSeptember 21, 2013 {@} Comments

A [camping] birthday party sleepover!

competence, fun, regulation, resilienceFirewheel PressSeptember 07, 2013Comment

Groceries, stress and picky eaters

dietFirewheel PressSeptember 01, 2013 {@} Comments

Dealing with the insults and bad behaviour with a behaviour contract

competence, parenting, resilience, solutionsFirewheel PressAugust 24, 2013Comment

Turns out he's a pretty good writer

schoolFirewheel PressAugust 20, 2013Comment

When falling off your bike is a good thing

competence, guide-apprentice, reactions, regulation, updatesFirewheel PressAugust 10, 2013 {@} Comments