The A Word

Programme Name: The A word S2 - TX: n/a - Episode: n/a (No. n/a) - Picture Shows:  Maurice Scott (CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON), Louise Wilson (POOKY QUESNEL), Rebecca Hughes (MOLLY WRIGHT), Paul Hughes (LEE INGLEBY), Joe Hughes (MAX VENTO), Alison Hughes (MORVEN CHRISTIE), Edwin (Eddie) Scott (GREG MCHUGH), Nicola Daniels (VINETTE ROBINSON) - (C) Fifty Fathoms - Photographer: various

You might already have seen that ‘The A word’ is back on BBC 1.

If you didn’t catch the first series, ‘The A word’ is a drama about a family who have a 5-year-old boy with autism and their journey to understand him and communicate better with him.

As always, the show brought up many great lessons and tips for families going through a similar situation with their child.

Joe has many rituals in his life that he carries out each day. Some small things people may not even notice, some bigger things that effect others and some things that are purely unsafe and need intervention.

One of the small rituals he has is when he comes to a door…

Joe needs to open and close the door once before he walks through it.

In the show, Joe’s 1:1 at school stands back and allows him to do this before entering the classroom.

When I watched this part I smiled.

Because it’s such a small thing for the 1:1, but he acknowledges it’s a big thing for Joe, so he allows him to follow it through and does not intervene.

You would be surprised at how many 1:1’s, parents and carers I’ve seen try to stop autistic children doing things like this.

My thinking most of the time is, if it’s harming no one then there is no need to intervene. I’ve witnessed children have meltdowns and seen behaviour spin out of control due to constant interventions like this.

I always feel total joy when I see 1:1’s, parents or carers, take a step back and let their children be in times like this…

Because they aren’t just ‘picking their battles’ …

It shows they have a level of understanding.

And the deeper we understand children with autism, the more effectively we can help them progress.

While you’re here, I wanted to tell you about a new programme I’m launching…

Very soon I’ll be offering parents and carers my 1 on 1 support working on all areas of their autistic child’s development.

If you want to be one of the first to hear about it, click the link below and put yourself on the priority notification list.

Join the priority list by clicking here

Speak with you soon, until then

Live every moment, Love beyond words and make a difference today…

Emma Ottaway

The Ambitious Autism Ambassador

Heres the link once more