Thank you for being here !

Hello all! I say 'all' with the hopeful thought that someone out there will read this; otherwise, it's just another day chatting with myself! Haha!

Welcome to my personal space on the internet. I'm Diane, a single mam to an incredible little boy named Tommy. Like every parent, I believe my child is everything to me, but Tommy truly is my entire world, and I am his. He is 4 years old, has been diagnosed with autism, is non-verbal, and requires significant support. He faces challenges with communication and social interaction, which means we are inseparable, and he depends on me to fulfill all of his needs, which are greater than those of an average 4-year-old. Although I recognize the daily challenges he encounters, I view them as opportunities for growth. The politically correct statement would be "Ultimately, I wouldn't have it any other way," but do I truly believe that? My perspective on this has evolved significantly over the past few years and will probably keep evolving.

I assume that if you've ended up here, you're probably in a situation similar to mine! Welcome, and I offer you a salute of mutual respect. As SEND parents, we face many challenges, which is why I've decided to try to create a community of like-minded parents seeking daily support during the repetitive days of SEND parenting.

What can you expect to find here at SEND Side Up? I'll be using this space to share recipes that even the fussiest eaters will enjoy (a bold claim in our community, I know), tips for encouraging picky eaters to try new foods, heartfelt poems that I hope resonate with you, occupational therapy tips related to sensory diets, and a weekly blog that will showcase both the highs and lows of real-life SEND parenting!

I'll keep my welcome post brief and to the point, and I appreciate you all being here with me. Feel free to explore my recipe page while you're here, or take a look at my poems.

Lastly, don't forget to sign up and leave a comment to say hello! Let's create a community and support one another.

lots of love

Diane & Tommy xoxoxo