Ducks in a Row

Before you start

Life is overwhelming as a parent or carer even without the added challenges that society throws in your path when the child is neurodivergent. However, there are some simple steps you can take to make things easier for you as you embark on this journey.

Don’t look around you and think all other parents have it together and are organised. Most definitely are not! We get it at STAND, so we have shared tips below to get your "ducks in a row".

Saving Things

Did you ever think you would end up with so much paperwork? At STAND, we didn’t. It was like an avalanche that we couldn’t get on top of. It made us feel overwhelmed, stressed and chaotic. However, there is a solution.

If you don’t already have it, download either the OneDrive app or the Google Drive app on your mobile phone.

If you have an iPhone, then you might prefer to use the iCloud version.

Whatever version you use, try and make sure it's something that can be accessed both on a phone and on a computer.

Make a folder for the child you care for.

From now on, whenever you get an email about the child you can save the email and any attachments into that OneDrive or Google Drive.

You can also save photos, videos, photos, screenshots, voice recordings, notes, scanned letters... anything that you think could be relevant.

Also go back through old information that doesn't obviously seem like it relates to the your child being neurodivergent. Remember sometimes you have to give your own details - not just your child's.

It is good to dig out things like proof of address and ID documents and make copies of them into your Drive so that you have them to hand if you ever need them.

Did you know you can scan things with your mobile phone camera?

You can do this with either OneDrive or Google Drive by opening the app and using your mobile phone camera.

You should do this immediately every time you receive a letter to do with the child.

Even if you can’t face dealing with it, at least open it and scan it in to save in the folder for later. This way, when/if you lose the paperwork, you don’t have to panic.

Photos and Videos

It is also a good idea to save any photos or videos in here that might be relevant to any applications for benefits or assessment processes. For example, if the child you care for has been injured and you have taken a photo, you could save it in this folder so you have it to hand if you ever need it.

Email addresses

We know of some parents and carers that have set up a separate email address to use just for things in relation to the child they care for. They use this to email schools, benefits agencies, politicians etc. They also provide this email address as contact details for schools, medical professionals and others. This means that everything to do with the child is always saved together in the one place and not lost amongst the millions of emails we all get every day.

Website favourites

Learn how to “favourite” websites on your internet browser - both your mobile phone and your laptop/tablet if you have one. This means you have easy access to these sites when you need it.

Examples of websites you might want to favourite are:

It's not too late

Even if you have been dealing with this life admin for ages, it’s not too late to get on top of it. Sit down with some pals one night, get the kettle on, shove on Netflix, and just scan through the piles of paperwork that are rammed somewhere in a drawer or cupboard!

Lean on support from others that you meet via the STAND Facebook Groups, Whatsapp Groups, Workshops or other events and “body double” with them to make it easier.

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