Frangipani

Thanks Bid, <'> I see what you are all saying. The problem for me at the moment, is I am coming to terms with some huge issues within my family. Even if all of you were in Sydney and had meet ups, I wouldn't turn up. I have become very reclusive due to a lot of deception that has gone on with my mother and sister. A few months ago I told my mother I never wanted to see her again. She has hurt me deeply over some things I really cant talk about. I always needed a mother to talk to, but, she is just so two faced. iykwim. It has affected my approach to friendships. I have so many friends through my church, sending me notes, leaving me messages, and I cant handle the sympathy eyes. They know the fear I suffer with my daughters illness. My meds are slowly starting to work. I will branch out soon, my counsellor is more concerned with me just getting back into hobbies at the moment. I do wish you were all in Aussie, as I feel you really are the only ones that know me or understand me, because of being parents of kids with ASD. I know I would love to go back to support groups over here too, I found them enormously helpful in the past, I just have to work through the deception in my biological family. That has crushed me. Sorry if this upsets anyone. I am coping, gently but slowly, its just taking a bit longer. My daughter was in tears last night as she doesnt know what has happened to me, she said I used to be such a rock and a strong person. I assured her it am getting there, you just cant rebuild your life on sand, you need to build it on a rock, and I am restoring those foundations in my life. But I am doing it alone. But, gracefully. Slowly but surely. So please don't worry. I will get there. Thank you for being there for me over the past years, I couldnt have gotten where I am without you all. I don't know where I would have been if I didnt have you. One day at a time. I am getting there. But I am taking your tips on board, they sound good, I will discuss this with my counsellor tomorrow, who I have been seeing weekly for the past three months. <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> Love Fran xx

Hi, I was just listening to this on the radio and it was hilarious listening to some of the stories that came through. Here are a few examples. A man was in a store waiting for his wife who was in a dress shop while his wife was trying a dress on, he bumped into a lady and turned around and apologised, and it turned out to be a mannequin. A man walked out of his bedroom and screamed as if to scare something aware, it was a 5 foot Santa Claus in the house, one Christmas. here is mine, The other day I let my cat out the back as usual, she gave off this loud hiss and scared me, as we both looked, there was a black pair of thongs my daughter left just outside the back siding door, and my cat thought it was a rat, I just couldnt stop laughing. Sure you have some funny stories. Have a think, have a go. Oh another one, was a woman was in a night club, she had one too many drinks to have, she bumped into a mirror thinking it was another person, and apologised, and it was no one but herself Have a think, have a go.

<'>

Thanks for your advise about a new forum, however, if I want that sort of advice I will ask for it. Please don't be offended by this. <'>

Don't worry, I just lost interest in exchanging photo's. Stupid idea.

Well, I just pulled out a photo, for anyone interested in swapping. But only via pm. Just like we did last year. No one has to feel pressured to exchange photo's. Its just a thought. xx <'>

I understand and respect that. Somehow I lost all the photos you sent me from last year and the video, during some changes to my computer so if anyone has those and are okay for me to have them again, that would be really nice. But, as I am in Aussie, and if some from the latest meet up don't mind me having some piccies, that would be really nice to. Just so I can put faces to names like you do. As I have no way of getting over there in the near future. But, you never, never know. PM me if you prefer. xx <'>

Hi, SV I thought he looked pretty scary but not sure who is more scary, him or Norman Gunstan. Although they say Baddad is pretty scary Better be careful I might get moderated. Good to see you back SV <'> xx

Sounds like a challenge and a half.

Exactly Yeah, Flora <'> glad you soldiered on. xx

Can we see some piccies of the meet up. Please!!

Would love to see some piccies.

Lucky you have a loud voice poor Ben, you scary old man. Just kidding. It is quite scary when that happens though. The panic goes through you and you feel the heart pounding. Thats my natural state these days. It reminded me of when I was doing the 'great north walk' on the north shore with a group of friends, I think there was about 30 of us. We started off in the front, but after about 8 kilometres we were engrossed in conversation, about four of us, and we somehow became separated from the group. We walked past a major key turn and kept walking there was dead silence. We called out to people not a sound. We walked back and didnt see the turn as it was camouflaged so turned back the way we were going, but our instincts told us we were going in the wrong direction. Panic, sets in, all of a sudden some slow walkers appeared that were with our group so we raced back to them, one of the guides was with them that knew the track. Talk about butterflies in the stomach. From the direction we were standing the turn was completely camouflaged and we yelled like you Baddad and not a sound. All the thoughts of getting stuck out over night flashed passed us. Maybe a walky talky or a mobile phone each might be a good idea. A Fold up bike sounds good, is it easy to put up and down, BD.

Gosh, sorry everyone, I just read this back, it was after 1am when I wrote this, in the closing I said I was interested in what some of the teachers on this forum think, oops, that sounds like a bit of a cop out. It wasnt meant to come across like that. I am interested in everyone's opinion about this, not just teacher. "sorry, if I upset anyone" Fran x <'>

One point that comes to mind for me thinking about my son over the years, and many I have known over the years on the Spectrum is that not everyone is a text book case. Having schools specifically for AS sounds like a wonderful idea, I wish my son had that, but, I don't think any teacher/ doctor/ specialist can say what a child's limitations are going to be. There is always, a lot of dispute as to which way a child is going to go. Will they survive mainstream etc, I dont like the thought of stereotyping people as this sounds like it could. At the end of the day they all have gifts and unique talents and eventually find there way. Not all, but, awareness is one thing, but I don't believe in putting people in 'boxes' and accepting that they are going to be this or that all their life. I believe in being optimistic. Trial and error. Having AS only specific schools doesnt really help in the fact that they are going to one day integrate with mainstream society. There needs to be a way to work together. Better awareness. But I agree there needs to be a better system. I would be interested to see what some of the teachers on this forum thinks about it. Anyway, that just a few thoughts about it from me. Fran x

My kids behave really strange when they hear this song, because, it seems to have an affect on them Do you find that - some songs just send your kids off into some strange tangent. This one always makes me laugh as I see my kids doing this weird dance or in the car I cant ever remember being like this

Oh how I would love that to happen, all I ever get is bills. xx Edit, but I could get postcards from London

In Australia they did a rally called 'Walk a mile in my shoes' and left a pair of shoes on the door step of parliament with a story about the difficulties and support they wished they had. This was across the board for all disabilities, joined together. It has had some really good benefits. Many good things are coming out of it. Sometimes it takes action like this, to get their attention. Just have to keep on speaking out. Congratulations Mr & Mrs C we need more of this.

Funny how things work out. Have a great day. x <'>

Take a deep breath...... it will be fine. Sometimes those last minute panic attacks really are the norm in our home before social get togethers. Dont be so hard on yourself. Put the clothes in a spare room. Just get yourself ready then the whole thing will fall into place. Just go with the flow. Pop out some nibblies, sip a glass of wine, and all that stress will melt away. Have a fun day. It will be a good day. <'>

Some days, you just can't get by without.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0Xae3isGKQ

Oh poor little guy, its sad when these things happen, as they get so attached to them. It is very upsetting. <'>

Hi, I recommended some books that I found in Resources, but if you have a look in the thread 'What book are you reading at the moment.' You will find some people actually had a go at reading them and didnt find them very helpful at all. Perhaps like suggested above you would look at more mainstream books on 'Relating' 'Connecting' etc. If you are interested I can think of a few that are good. pm me and I will tell you the names, not sure if I am allowed to post them on here. They are very popular in Australia. x