Lila-Zen

I definitely think there's something in the posture and gait thing but not in the face hair colour etc. What about African kids with ASD? Chinese? Indian? Mixed Race? etc etc ASD is multicultural

I found this interesting too. My son is non verbal but sometimes he will start to cry for no obvious reason, his little face looks heartbroken and his bottom lip comes out! I totally understand what you mean about it being heartbreaking. I asked at his special school if he ever did it there and his teacher said yes he did sometimes. She thought he was having flashbacks to things that had upset him. He can be laughing and smiling again within minutes. We can't ask him so we can't say for sure what's going on in his head but it just goes to show it occurs all along the spectrum

Looks really good (have just had a quick flick through)

My boy is completely non-verbal age 6. He has started communicating with sign language. It's a start and we're really proud of him He started special school age 3 and has communicated with PEC's but doesn't really like it much! The school uses signalong which is based on BSL and different to makaton

Faces GMC charges

Yes I should have added that they have to be fitted by an orthotist. You casn't buy them from Gilbert Mellish but they do show some of the range on their website. It does say on their site:PLEASE NOTE: Products displayed on this web site are prescription medical devices that must be purchased through a physician or other licensed medical provider. Sorry for confusion

My son only had a diagnosis of ASD. I just bought it up as a concern with his diagnosing team. when we had the big diagnosis meetings he was examined by a physio. His arches had formed and were really raised way before they should have been. Could you mention it to your paed or someone else who sees him regularly? If they try to fob you off you can say you know someone who has had them prescribed for a toe-walking child (me!)? The boots support the ankle and encourage correct walking. I have to say they are not a miracle thing, once my son breaks in a new pair he can still toe walk in them albeit with difficulty but they do encourage him to walk better and he used to be up on his toes all the time now its just sometimes - he has amazing leg muscles!

You can buy them from Gilbert Mellish I think. But we got ours free through the orthotics department. Is your child still with a child development centre? They referred us to a physio and thats how we got them. I think they are expensive otherwise

I really enjoyed it too. I wondered where it was going at one point when they started talking about Bettleheim Definitely one of the better autism documentaries I've seen.

My son toe walks and was prescribed piedro boots by the physio at the child development centre and provided by the orthotics department. They made them with an extra metal plate in to weigh him down even more. I was also shown exercises to do to try to stretch (gently) his hamstrings. He still has the boots in blue but only for use at school and TBH they haven't stopped the toewalking entirely. We were also prescribed those leg splints on the same webpage for night time use but he just pulled them off his legs (sometimes whilst still asleep )

Chelation Watch and Autism Watch are worth a read too. Think as parents we need to understand all sides of the arguements as you've suggested Karen

This really bothers me too and was 1 of the (many) problems I had with the Katie Grant article. It saddens me to think that someone can stand up to give a speech at a NAS campaign and make this very basic error. How far have we come on from the 'special talent' belief in the last 10 years? Doesn't seem like much

Hi all Have been lurking and meaning to introduce myself. I have a 6 yr old with severe autism (non verbal)

Good on you

Hi! We're doing seperate holidays for our kids this year. Its not ideal and we will still attempt family holidays but sometimes I think it's a good idea. My NT daughter is so laid back about things, her brother breaks her stuff or we have to come home early from places because he isn't coping etc I honestly think my daughter deseves some 1to1 time with me or her dad. It only seems fair. Hope you enjoy the holiday