Tilly

ALIVE

BALLS

I loved, loved, loved Sweet Peanuts, Kop kops and Football Chums. I hated Soor Plums, Revels and Bounty. Yuk!! Tilly

Empties Tilly

OLD

When I was a young un my mam use to buy what we called Licorice root. It looked like a stick and there was often a craze for it up here. (Gosh we were easy pleased them days). It used to last for days as they were quite big then and we would chew them on and off all day, must say it did cure my nailbiting habit. It can be bought in health food stores and in chemists. Tried my kids on it but they weren't impressed on it all. Tilly

Dear

Hi all, just thought I'd let my forum mates know that there is voucher to get a free eye test at D&A. It can be found in the Marks and Spencer magazine and it doesn't expire until the end of January 2007. The magazine is free to card holders or can be bought for 1.20. Tilly

Supporter

SKY Tilly

I've heard Ros speak before and i thought she was inspiring too. She has been spoken about before on this forum and I know that people have different opinions about her, but for me I found her speech a very positive one. I would definitely go to see her again and this time I'd take family members too. I watched Sigourney Weaver talking about Snow Cake movie and she mentioned that she got a lot of her material/resources from Ros which has made me want to see the film more, when and where I find out its released. Tilly

While I was pregnant I suffered continuosly with thrush (candida) and my dd was born with thrush. I've been reading that this is quite common in our children and that the candida is full of toxins which can harm our unborn children. (Now I'm starting to feel really guilty ) I do remember the midwife taking a swab but they didn't seem unduly worried and neither was I until I read this. I was wondering if any other Mums had candida in their pregnancies. Although dd is only 9 she does suffer from thrush on regular occasions. Threelac is supposed to be good for candida and I did read it has helped people with autism - I must admit that bit I will take with a pinch of salt! I'd be interested to know if anyone has heard or used Threelac . If it does take away some of dds discomfort it will be a godsend. Thanks Tilly

My dd would opt out of many social situations if she had the opportunity, but sometimes we have been known to make her do some things to broaden her horizons. We wouldn't make her do something that she is absolutely scared witless about, if it is meant to be a fun activity e.g. We went to metroland and she was petrified so I took her out and she had a wonderful time in the book shop. She hates school and says it dangerous etc. and I know dh would pull her out in a heartbeat, but would that make her world smaller? I wonder if it would be better to have a small cosy world, or a big scary world. The other way of looking at it could be a small, limited world rather than a big, challenging world with lots of new experiences. Which way do you look at it. tilly

I've been dreading today and so has dd2. All through the 6 weeks holiday she has been adamant that she wasn't going back to school in her new class as it is full of boys. There are 9 kids in her class and dd is the only girl and she says "its not fair". Anyway she went no bother in the transport, but when we went to collect her she'd been crying, (her face was all blotchy and red, red eyes) and continued sobbing going home in the car - bless. If dh had his way he'd pull her out, but whats the option she couldn't hack mainstream, she now attends a SEN school. I mention home edding but a lot of people seem to think that will make her world even smaller than what it is. I wonder if it is better to live in a small cosy world or in a big terrifying one. Oh the joys. Tilly P.S not looking forward to tomorrow DD1 starts the comprehensive and DD2 goes back to the dreaded boys class.

Thanks for the replies but could someone tell me what CAFTS is. Tilly

At the beginning of the year we were advised to contact SS regarding getting help for DD. We have 3 children and live in a 2 bedroomed house. The front bedroom has been partitioned and the two girls are in one half and our son is in the other (18 years old). The thing is dd isn't the best of sleepers and we went to the OT about getting a loft conversion so she could have her own space etc. To cut a long story short we have just been turned down and been told that it is a case of overcrowding er hello thats why we want an extra room. Surely if we weren't overcrowded we wouldn't be asking for help!!! The OT wanted to come out to explain tomorrow but I've put it off until its more suitable for me. Whats the point of hanging around to be told what you could have had but not getting it So she is going to put the letter of explanation in the post until we meet. In true Victor Meldrew style I DONT BELIEVE IT. Tilly

I think you're confusing it with something else. I was led to believe that this is a work of fiction. An autistic mother's daughter dies in a road accident. Tilly

My dd2 attends a SEN school and she is adamant that she is not going back as she is the only girl. Although the classes aren't very big she still feels left out being the only girl. We had this problem 2 years ago and we had a hideous time getting her to school, so the following year she was in a mixed year class with an older girl. The thing is dd is the only girl in her year group so it will probably happen again next year. When she has to get ready for swimming/P.E. etc. she has to go by herself, and as she's getting older I think she is feeling the differences between her and boys and she says their games are too rough and that theres no girl toys in the classroom. I'm planning on taking her to school before it opens and speaking to the staff as they are very approachable. Does anyone have any suggestions of what I could say to fight my cause. Tilly P.S Dd1 is starting secondary school and I'm dreading that too. (Who was it who said that school years are the best years of your life!! - None of mine )

I saw the interview and thought SW gave a very fair, plain speak explanation of ASDs. She did mention she had done alot of research and she said Ros Blackburn helped her enormously. I'm sure The Richard and Judy show is repeated later but I'm not sure which channel. Lil-me I don't watch R and J show because Richard gets on my nerves Tilly

I agree Oracle we are very fortunate living on the coast here in Sunderland. Although we don't live walking distance its a very short trip in the car/bus. I think we're doubly fortunate because we can go in the opposite direction and we are in the middle of beautiful countryside, yep we should count our blessings. (I'll try to remember that when I'm having an off day) Tilly

My dd is scared witless of flies in the house. She doesn't mind them if they are outside but will scream hysterically if one comes inside. I can't fathom out her fears because she will tolerate moths, dragonflys and woodlouse and other insects One of her favourite jokes is WHAT DO YOU CALL A FLY THAT HAS NO WINGS? A WALK!!! Tilly

I've just 'phoned up for this and it took less than 5 minutes to do. All I needed were the 2 customer references numbers and I told them the type of benefit I was in receipt of. Easy Peasy. Thanks Tilly

My dd use to be absolutely scared witless about dogs and would run a mile if she saw a one, whether they were on a lead or not. Then she began to calm down a little if she knew they were on a lead but was still very wary. We bought her Nintendogs for her Nintendo DS which she loves and then she started to show an interest in dogs and recognising the different breeds when we were out. Yesterday we spent a glorious day at the seaside and we were all in the sea when a dog came bounding over to us all and dropped his green frisbee in the water for dd to throw. We were all waiting for the big outcry but the dog just looked at dd and we told her to throw the ring for her as we were with her. She did this and the dog returned the frisbee about half a dozen times!!! Eventually the owner came over and I explained the situation and it turns out that the dog was a PAT dog. I'm not saying dd is over her fear but it was a step in the right direction. Tilly

I know my daughter will never be 'cured' but I was always led to believe that things would get better, when I have spoken to other parents of children with ASD. Dd was dxd at the age of 3. She had very little speech but was a sociable little thing who enjoyed (well I always thought she did, but we never know do we) going on hols, shopping, swimming baths, parks, cinema etc. Now as she is getting older she seems very anxious, worries about things that have never bothered her before and is quite happy to stay in the house in her comfort zone. I sometimes feel that her progress is taking a step backwards, and I see her classmates coming on leaps and bounds attending after school clubs etc, and becoming much more sociable. Did anyone elses child seem to lose some of their skills and seem to come out the other side. I'm not sure whether it is an age thing and she is becoming more aware or its her ASD. I also think a lot of it is down to me also because when I suggest something which is meant to be fun and she says she doesn't want to go I just let her stay at home, as sometimes I haven't the energy to fight. Do you think I should make her go little and often or not? I'd welcome any comments or past experiences Tilly

I've just finished reading this book. I was a bit like Busylizzie. Some things Liz Astor said are word for word which have been said by myself. Although our lifestyles are poles apart some of the things she wrote about are parallel to mine regarding the rollercoaster of emotions etc. I must admit I did skip through a lot of the chapters which didn't concern Olivia. Its not a book I would buy but its worth lending from the library. Tilly