caci

You mentioned going to Arundel, could you travel to Brighton ? Although I don't know Brighton well, there are lots of small interesting shops, especially in the part called The Laines. Maybe you could find a jeweller there who would be interested in your project ?

Will you be eating there, or just buying drinks ? If you are eating, you can download a typical menu, and look at the prices. I tried googling, and saw "large glass wine, £6.00", so maybe base your spending around that (eg £6.00 a drink )

Happy Birthday My husband forgot my 50th birthday. He only realised when cards arrived in the post the next day (my birthday was on a Sunday that year) His reaction, " oh sorry, but you could have reminded me" (hmm, maybe another one on the specrum ?)

What a thoughful idea. I am sure she will treasure the memories book.

I have no experience of OCD, but I do know that YOU know your son best, and are in the best position to decide what might work for him. Our kids are not text book examples, and do not think and do as stereotype examples expect. I think if I was in your position, I would revert to carrying a variety of "just incase" items (like you did in the baby and toddler days). Even now, I make sure I have a packet of tissues in my bag or pocket, and some wet wipes, or hand cleaning gel, in the car, everytime I leave the house (our son is 13) I think giving your son a pack of tissues to put in his pocket when he goes out is fine (he may even use them to blow his nose !)

Have you been able to meet the person who will be conducting the service ? I see you are going to be with you cousin to take over if she can not carry on with her reading, and I think it might be sensible to arrange for the person conducting to take over from you, if you are struggling. I realise that sometimes people appear to struggle, then manage to compose themselves and carry on, so maybe you could have an agreed sign that you are wanting the other person to take over from you. Maybe if you agree that you will turn the page you are reading face down, and take a step back, as being the signal ? I know at my dad's funeral, we (my brother, sister and I) wrote the words, but none of us were able to cope with reading them out loud at the service. (we are all adults, in our 40's and NT) I am sure your nan will be proud of you, and your cousin, whether you are able to read on the day, or not.

Thanks Mumble, now it all becomes clear. Today's gift from the kitten was..................a bread roll. At least I didn't have to chase this gift around, catch it and liberate it. So our cats not only catch the birds, they are now in training to steal the food from under their beaks.

Our worst present (so far) from the a cat was a pigeon. No idea how the cat manged to get through the cat flap with the pigeon in her mouth.

In this house we have 2 plastic jugs known as the "throw up jugs". They live in the bathroom and are ONLY used when someone is sick. These are used for vomit, then emptied down the loo by me (that's what mums do ). They are rinsed out under the tap after each use, then when they are finished with, (ie the vomitting has stopped) I put them through the dishwasher.

Not everyone can take co-codomol as it has paracetamol and codeine in. It makes me feels sort of light headed and woozy (but not in a good way). It is the codeine that affects me badly. Maybe you could try Ibroprofen and paracetamol? Ask at the chemist counter, and get them to write down how many of each tablet you can take, and when to take them, so you don't get confused and take the wrong dose.

Thinking of you and your family Mandapanda, and hoping today's visit goes well. XX.

(((HUGS )))))

Thank you

I would love to pass this onto my son to watch. Please could you post a link that I could send in an email ? Thank you

Following on from something Sally44 said...... I agree anxiety is always present, however we have found the best way to help our son cope is to AVOID any rigid routines. If he has a choice, he feels more in control and seems to be able to cope better. This works for us, but for many kids, the idea of choice is scary and too much to deal with. I suppose this leads to another piece of advise... Everyone on the Spectrum is different and unique.

Remember TINY, TINY steps are better than no steps at all`

Thinking of you. XX

Slightly of topic, but a huge THANK YOU to Lancslad for explaining the "addiction" to gaming so carefully. So much of what he says is true for our 13yr old, especiaaly the bits about team play and being unable to cope with a timer dictating when something has to end.

I wonder if your Koala slippers look like another animal is on your bed, and that is why the cat goes away ? Do you have any toy animals that look realistic enough to trick the real cat ? I have just checked out cat food stock, and ours are eating LAMB flavour food. I am sure cats do not eat sheep in the wild !

I think cats have an inbuilt radar to detect people who are allergic to them ! I read somewhere cats don't like citrus smells, so you could try putting something with a strong lemon or orange smell on your bed.

Maybe if you ask you mum to write down in detail the help she thinks she is giving you each week, she may realise she is not providing 35 hours in support.

That games looks very much like the traditional Happy Families type card game. I have seen cheap packs of those card games in the party bag section of the supermarket.

I would definately send the homework back EXACTLY as he has done it. The school need to see he has had difficulty with this. For the sentences, maybe try asking him a direct question about each picture and write what he says. Again, don't worry if it is entirely different from what you would expect. For example, if the picture shows a boy and a girl, and the boy is holding a ball, you could ask "who has got the ball?". If your son replies "It is red", then that is what you write down. At the bottom of the page, add a note to say this is how your son's own work, and list the questions you asked him for each picture. Hope this makes sense

Does it needs to be red sauce ? If not, maybe try brown sauce (HP etc) or even white sauce (mayonaise)

Intesting reply cmuir. I found the Torettes the hardest to understand (probably as I have no experience of that, whereas I have some experience with Autism and selective mutes) The SaLT was employed privately by the parents (I think) and that is why she was going into school 3 times week, rather than once a term as they seem to via NHS.