Fragile X Awareness month - Day 28

There are some things I've learnt about how to make our life as a Fragile X household run a bit more smoothly, here are 5 that come to mind:

1. It takes a lot to translate a thought into words and then say them. Just because the words don't come, or what is said doesn't make sense, doesn't meant the kids don't understand what I am saying.

2. 10 seconds - Give an instruction and then wait 10 seconds. It takes time to process a thought and figure out how to respond. If the instruction is being given over and over or more is being said that is just more noise to try to interpret.

3. For someone who is sensitive to sensory input it can really help to prepare before having to sit or think for a period of time. Hanging upside down, jumping, rolling in a blanket and getting deep pressure, swinging, all these things can help.

4. It's ok to use medication. There is a perception that medication to help with anxiety and mental health is somehow a weakness or there is something wrong with it. We don't deny a diabetic insulin, if you need help with cortisol and adrenalin levels etc, then just do what you need to do.

5. Ask a question 3 different ways. Often it's the last part of a sentence that makes sense. So if I'm asking 'do you want vegemite, peanut butter or honey?', then the kids will usually say honey at first. But if I change the order of the question and ask it a few different times, I get the actual answer.

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