Introduction.

Many grandparents step outside their comfort zones and identify that autism is real. They become a beneficial carer for one or more autistic grandkids.

Many grandparents are aware of their natural instincts which allow them to care for their grandkids with developmental delays e.g. autism, sensory processing condition, and restricted diet. In reaching out and helping their grandkids, grandparents become experienced in understanding their autistic grandkids.

I am the maternal grandfather and NDIS Nominee of my 15-year-old youngest grandson with developmental delays of autism, sensory processing condition, and restricted diet.

If you have similar life experiences, you are welcome to connect with this blog.

Life is precious – many autistic people have lived experiences of trauma.

Many autistic people survived birth complications. Common examples include premature and delayed birth with ongoing birth complications.  

My survival from a congenital Rh blue baby emergency traumatised myself  from birth to starting school. These experiences influenced my support for our youngest grandson and other people with developmental delays e.g. autism and sensory processing.

My work roles focused on helping marginalised people.

Many people need genuine professional support to overcome unemployment, social, welfare, and health concerns.

In my work in Western Sydney and Blue Mountains with Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Disability Employment Services (DES),  Job Network, and Personal Support Program (PSP), I helped families and individuals obtain assessments, supports, therapies, and pathways to inclusion.

These experiences influenced me to live with deep gratitude  and a commitment to making every day count. Life is precious.

Work related qualifications.

I completed a post graduate, Graduate Diploma in Psychological Science, in addition to undergraduate degrees. My goal was to become a registered Psychologist. However, balancing full-time work, part-time study, commuting, and caring for our youngest grandson, became burdensome.

Grandparent roles helping kids with developmental delays.

I am the maternal grandfather and NDIS Nominee of my 15-year-old youngest grandson with developmental delays of autism, sensory processing condition, and restricted diet. Prior to him starting kindergarten, my wife regularly drove him to sensory therapy and preschool that specialised helping kids needing early intervention support for developmental delays. 

His mother endured difficulty with obtaining leave whilst working at many profit based heartless employers. Where she lived before he started school, there were no suitable pre-schools that were qualified to help kids with developmental delays. He lived with us on weekdays. In my prior roles with Not For Profit (NFP) employers, it was easier for me to use RDO’s and A/L to take our grandson to medical appointments and therapies. Now retired from paid work, I continue to drive him to medical appointments, school, therapies, and social activities.

As grandparents of an autistic grandchild, our support to help him with therapies and services has been continuous for over 15 years.

Many households have limited support for their kids.

These scenarios are common in many households. Sadly, many parents have no support from relatives. They are constantly challenged in finding ways to obtain therapies and support services. In many cases, parents have multiple kids with developmental delays. For single parents, these scenarios are escalated. Limited help from grandparents exist in these situations.

Protection of identity and privacy of children.

To protect the identity and privacy of our youngest maternal grandson and others with developmental delays, I have not stated their names. 

Engagement in this blog.

If you have similar life experiences, you are welcome to connect with this blog.