billabong

'Onions in the Stew' by Betty MacDonald. Not a cookery book but a funny autobiography of living on Vashon Island in the US in the 1950s. I've read and re-read it so many times since being a teenager and it still makes me laugh.

Wasn't there a Simply Red song called 'Peas don't make me suffer?' Or was it 'Please don't make me supper?' Billabong

I'm glad someone's raised the subject of pronunciation of 'Asperger'. I'm sure it should be with a hard 'g' to comply with its original pronunciation but I use both pronunciations, mostly 'j'. I think this is because most people use the 'j' sound and I feel as if I'm being a bit 'precious' by using 'g'. There are plenty of foreign words (usually common nouns) which get assimilated into the English language with an anglicised pronunciation and are recognised as correct with that pronunciation; I'm not sure if the same follows for proper nouns. I've got a horrible feeling that 'its' for 'it's' and vice-versa is going to become acceptable. Ooh, it brings out the pedant in me!

My AS husband was a beautiful-looking little boy. I've also read that AS children tend to have slightly larger than usual heads, which DH seemed to have (just going by the photos) - but of course, he would tell me, that is just the extra braininess being fitted in.

Pancakes

macaroni

Hi Sally Welcome to the forum! <'> >< I'm really glad that you've come across an enlightened teacher and that things are already progressing. I'm sure you'll find some helpful advice and support here. (I can't truly empathise as I don't have kiddywinks, just an AS husband - but he's proof that the future is not all bleak, and that was without recognition or diagnosis as a child, so your boy should have a head start). Take care, Billabong

:thumbs: Fantastic! Well done!

What a hero! The kitties were very cute too. Shame they're in Melbourn, just a bit too far for cat rescue. Billabong

Hi there Ooh you lucky things! Here up in the cooold noorth east, we just keep missing the snow. I'm a bit weather-obsessed (hm, this is something my AS husband points out to me, asking if I'm really NT). Any more snow photos? Warren, that snow was just a little bit disappointing. Could you touch up the photo and make it look really snowy? Billabong

Hi again That last para should have read 'any future job search', if you were wondering! Billabong

Hi Maria A big <'> from someone who's been there, although not with the lack of commitment bit. I've been married to AS husband for 9 years and it's been really, really, really hard work at times but has become generally easier, not least because of us both having an understanding of what's behind so much of our miscommunication etc etc. I agree with everyone's recommendation to not rush in waving a book at your partner. I'd recommend for your sake reading 'Asperger Syndrome - a love story'. I've read the other books people have mentioned which have been great for adding to my knowledge. However, 'AS - a love story' made me laugh out loud with recognition so many times and gives both sides of the coin. My husband's reading it and likes the fact that it's not 'this is what AS people are like' - he also recognises himself very much in Keith, and it seems to be helpful for both of us. I'm a linguist but find 'Aspergese' the most challenging language to learn! But as people have pointed out, we're all (AS or NT) different personalities, not just differently-wired, and it could be that your partner will dismiss this book. I'd also recommend looking after yourself first rather than trying to 'fix' your partner. There's an excellent (at least I found it so, as did everyone else there) workshop for partners of people with AS which I'll happily send details of via private mail, if you like. Relate counsellors who really have an understanding of AS (as opposed to having done a brief course, which I've found is what they usually mean) are few and far between. There are also support groups (for AS and NT partners), depending on where you live. And of course this forum. As to DX, my husband was very anti the idea because he believed it could have a negative impact on any future search, so I asked the question on this forum and people did recognise that as being a potential or real problem (only based on a few responses, admittedly). I'm happy enough that DH now accepts AS and we try to celebrate our difference and appreciate the positive in both 'wirings'. Take care, Billabong

Hi Bailey Welcome! <'> >< <'> I'm another 'married to an AS man' and would be happy to share any ideas (and frustrations!) whenever. Kind regards Billabong

I feel so angry for you :wallbash: ... I hope there's progress in the right direction next week. <'> >< <'>

anarchy

Good news! I'm really glad you met an open-minded consultant.

I chose Billabong because I like funny-sounding words. I'm not sure why it came to mind. Is it used in 'Waltzing Matilda'? (showing my age). I had no idea what it meant until after I'd chosen it. It's 'a branch of a river forming a backwater or stagnant pool', the 'bong' bit specifically meaning 'channel that is dry except after rain'. Think I prefer the channel to being a stagnant pool. My avatar? Well, I thought it was time there was an invisible woman, not just the invisible man. Billabong

Tired

It's wonderful (not), isn't it, the cult of celebrity? Madonna's divorce almost pipped the economic crisis to top billing on the news. Madonna who??

Yee-haa! That sounds more manageable. I hope the smaller size of the groups means that bad or rude behaviour (as in talking loudly) isn't so easy to get away with. Billabong

It seems to me that people - especially medics, I hope - have an idea of what the other 'conditions' involve but are more likely to either be unaware of or have misconceptions about ASD. We have occasional talks for the public and NHS staff where I work (NHS) and I've suggested ASD as a topic; that would involve no cost (with volunteer speakers) and, hopefully, would increase awareness (if they go ahead with it!).

I should add this to the positive thread - smiling away because I've just caught up on the kitty photos! :) :)

I have a good friend who has had two major episodes of ME, the last one lasting 8 years. She is very, very cautious and thorough, always researching and investigating and questioning, and does not go near anything 'New Agey' so I was, to be honest, a bit surprised when she said she was going to do the 'lightning process'. She had spent the last few years following a regime of restricted activity ie 2 hours per day. After the second day of doing the seminar or whatever you call it, she was doing far more than she'd managed since before her illness and has not looked back (that was almost 6 months ago) and is definitely completely better; I've never seen her so energetic, it makes me feel tired! I can PM you the web address for the practitioner she used, if you're interested. But I can fully understand anyone's reticence in doing anything like this (it's not cheap, for a start), given that there are plenty of cranky 'cures' on offer.

Hunter

Hi there That doesn't sound at all silly or self-pitying. Like grieving, yes - and I'm sure it will keep coming back to you and taking you unawares, as with any kind of bereavement. I hope you get lots of little bits of joy over the week. Here are some <'> >< <'> in the meantime. Billabong