Spectrum Mum

12/08/2025

I feel like this every day internally...

Recommend a watch if a) you want validation on what other adhd ers are thinking of.

b) you want to know what is going through a lot of our heads.

My meds turn a lot of it off these days,which is nice

But I've still not cut the grass and got little ones new swing up for him to play on.

Oh look there it is

Want to give Dani's antiplanner a try? Awesome! You can buy it here!: https://bit.ly/danis-antiplanner-htadhdFor many of us with ADHD (or other conditions) i...

03/08/2025

I saw a post asking 'what made you think you were neurodivergent to begin with?'

For me it was COVID and a post from Our Neurodivergent Life about doom boxes that sent me down a rabbit hole of research. I suppose the start of peri-menopause was a big trigger too, but didn't realise what it was at the time.

I didn't cope well with COVID, I relied heavily on food and long walks to get me through. But honestly, I was a doom box hoarder! 4 levels in a 2 bed terraced house,with loft and cellar. I couldn't get rid when I thought it had value.

We moved house, and it confirmed it to myself that I should seriously consider it at least. I was told we needed 1 moving truck, and we needed 2 plus multiple back and forth with the car, including a couple after the exchange date too.. no one said anything, but I felt massively shamed.

I remember having a massive clear out and leaving loads of stuff on the drive for a charity to come and sort through, that really shouldn't have moved with us.

Promised myself I wouldn't get into that state again. But here I am ...

With meds, I think I'm a bit better. I can now see the floor in my spare room after 4 years - a small child and a wedding did contribute to that.

But of course the ADHD special power of inviting a friend to stop for the weekend forced me into an absolutely brutal purge of everything in that room so I could clean the carpet and set up the bed.

So, I am wondering what made you feel that you were neurodivergent?

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16eXubTU7v/

Photo credit to lisaphotos195

30/07/2025

One of my greatest pleasures is getting a bargain.

Be that negotiating £6- 10k off our houses as we've moved, or saving pennies with yellow stickers! Not sure if it's a double whammy of dopamine, or just a learned behaviour as I remember my grandad's back bedroom being filled with bargains that would become birthday and Christmas presents red ♥️

LO didn't want to go to the park today, he wanted to go to the charity shop and spend some of his birthday money. (So proud, I've trained him well already!)

Found Bowzers Castle just dropped off outside the charity shop, so had to ask for a price. Brand new - battered box, but LO doesn't care! The box goes in the bin. -£4! RRP £50

He also got a transforming batcave, he's had his eye on this for weeks! -£3 RRP £65

I've been on the look out for a big boy's table for LO who is now over 120cm tall and was struggling with his toddler table not being big enough. I've had my eye on this one from IKEA for ages as the legs grow with him and it can tilt for drawing too. £10 rrp £90

Accompanying chair £5 RRP £17

Good Samaritan with a flat bed taking the table home for us, cos it wouldn't fit in the car - priceless!

Well pleased with our haul.

28/07/2025

Well my LA have decided not to assess.

I sent a lot of strong evidence, they have focused on one line of a SALT discharge report saying he's doing exceptionally well to get where he is....
And that school say lo is doing ok academically...

Annoyed as
It's focusing on LO's and our effort... Not to where the tiny terror should be, but effort. Ignoring that he's almost 2-3 years behind in all assessments by the pediatrician!
And the school focus. well, again the terrors effort to mask, the meltdowns after school and the fact that they've only just got down to 7 emergings in the summer term. Oh and that they have had to put in an extra teaching assistant at their own cost too.

Off to mediation we go!

From research they don't engage and I get the certificate anyways, but it's out the way and I know where I am come September.

Anyone else going through the EHCP process at the minute

28/07/2025

My parenting journey is a little different – I’m a mum through adoption. My little one lives with the impact of early trauma, and we’re currently navigating assessments for FASD, ADHD, and autism.

I’ve learned that trauma – whether from adoption, domestic violence, or other difficult experiences – can look like or co-exist with neurodiversity. It’s not always easy to untangle, especially in systems that don’t always understand the overlap.

If you’re parenting a child who doesn’t fit the mould, whose needs are invisible or misunderstood – I see you. There’s space for your story here.

24/07/2025

Hi and welcome to Spectrum Mum – a place for parents, carers, and anyone raising or supporting neurodiverse children. 💛

I’m a mum, a trained teacher turned teaching assistant, and someone who’s on my own journey with late diagnosed ADHD (inattentive type) at 43, currently in titration, and waiting for an autism assessment. I’m also navigating the twists and turns of perimenopause – because life doesn’t slow down when things get complicated!

I created this page because I know first-hand how lonely, overwhelming, and misunderstood life can feel when you're parenting children with complex needs – especially when trauma and neurodiversity cross paths.

This space is for you – to feel seen, heard, and empowered. Let’s walk this path together. 🌈