Instructions Not Supplied

Instructions Not Supplied is the account of one family’s experience in adopting three children, each of whom turned out to have special needs, and the challenges they have faced along the way. Some of the difficult situations they have faced are simply part of a family life; others are as a direct result of the children's disabilities and difficulties, including autism, attention deficit hyper-activity disorder, foetal alcohol syndrome, attachment disorder and sensory issues.

A story of adoption, autism and coming together as a family, this book describes with honesty and humour how the behaviour of the children has often challenged the adults around them. It also explores the process of diagnosis and the difficulty of getting the right support both for the children and their parents, with insights for all parents and teachers of children with complex needs.

The book is a unique insight into the twin challenges of adoption and disability, an invaluable read for prospective adopters and adoptive parents as well as natural parents of children with additional support needs. It is equally valuable for practitioners, as it gives an insight into the family life of those parenting such children and how best to support them.

Acknowledgements

Foreword – By Dr Ken Aitken

Introduction

Who We Are

Chapter One – How It All Began

• Preparing for a child the adoptive way

• Being assessed

• Considering and having a child

• Our second son

• Completing our family

• The legal process

Chapter Two – Is My Child Different?

• It’s because he’s adopted

• Early play and toddler groups

• Attending nursery

• Starting school

• Why is he behaving that way?

• Understanding the differences

Chapter Three – What Is Wrong With My Child?

• Is my child autistic?

• Well that explains everything

• Developmental Delay and Leaning Disability

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• Foetal Alcohol Syndrome

• Sensory Processing  

• Attachment Disorder

Chapter Four – School Life and Home Life

• Attending a mainstream school

• From one school to another

• The impact of school life on home life

• Activities after school

• When it all goes wrong how wrong can it go?

• Educating the teachers about my child

Chapter Five – Medication and Other Interventions

• Can I make my child better?

• Psychology advice and intervention

• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

• Befriending

• Parent Awareness Programme Autism Spectrum

Chapter Six – The Big Questions

• Nature versus nurture?

• What lessons can be learnt?

• What changes could be made?

• Where will the future take us?

Bibliography