kinky j

Hi Loop, I have often considered this myself, not just about ASD's but also anything that classes as a learning difficulty or disability such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, adhd etc. However, I don't think it will ever be simply a case of all different neurotypes learning to accept and tolerate each other in the same way that other sociological groups have gained acceptance and equality because, as others have pointed out above, some neurological traits do cause significant difficulties in the lives of both those affected and their families. Personally, I believe that the only way for there to be genuine equality for all different neurotypes is for society to accept that people can't be pigeon-holed. That this one-size-fits-all approach to things such as education, employment support, health care and social/support services doesn't really fit all and is so full of holes that many are falling through the gaps. Unfortunately, we live in capitalistic times where success is measured not by the most positive outcome for all, but by the most cost effective way to achieve a positive outcome for the majority. More so now we are in financial recession. The most successful way to combat this would be to find a cost effective way of implementing an tailor-made system for every individual rather than just for those whose needs are most evident. I believe that every parent on this board who has experienced it will testify to the massive improvement that individualised education and support makes to their child's progress and quality of life, I know I can. My son's placement in a special school has already made a huge difference! If similar personalised systems were in place for all, throughout life, catered specifically to the individual rather than being allocated to those who have already spent a substantial amount of time under-achieving due to lack of support, there would be no gaps to fall through. This would not only benefit those with ASD's and other minority neurotypes but also those who under-achieve due to social or behavioural issues. The most difficult part is finding a way of implementing such a system in a way that any costs incurred would be offset by the revenue generated by having a higher percentage of the overall population reaching their full potential and becoming productive members of society. Sorry for the massive post KJ

First day went brilliant! I really can't believe the difference it's made already. I don't think I've seen him leave school this happy and calm in I don't know how long! Thanks everyone! KJ

Congratulations Tally! You'll be settled in in no time <'>

Thanks everyone! I knew that people would understand on here <'> He had a great last morning at his mainstream on friday, they really made a fuss of him. He came home with cards and toys and pictures all his classmates have drawn, of themselves, so that he will remember them. He's very excited and very nervous about Monday, to be honest I am too but I'll post and let you all know how he gets on. Thanks again, KJ

I know I've not been about for a while, It's been an odd few months, but I thought I'd let you all know that C's statement is finally finalised and he starts his placement at the special school on monday! It's strange, it what we've been fighting for for so long and I know he's going to do so well there but it kind of took me a while to realise that it's for real, I still find myself wondering if it's the right decision. hope everyone's well, KJ

Here's another link http://www.theautismnews.com/2009/07/21/u-...yslexia-autism/

Hi pearl, If you search for "hello kitty mobile phone" on a popular online auction site you may be pleasantly suprised KJ

I've just recieved C's proposed statement too, and like your littleun's one it's also totally ambiguous and totally pointless. I've just sent an in depth email to my named person, outlining all the problems with it and requesting a meeting to discuss it. I have a feeling they do this to try and save themselves money, in the hopes that people won't have researched what should and shouldn't be in a statement. I guess they don't realise who they're taking on , hee hee.... Let Battle commence Good luck with getting everything sorted, Andy. KJ

I will first state that this is purely MY opinion on the matter, feel free to disagree with me and that I am using "you" in the "an individual" sense rather than the "you, personally" sense IYSWIM. I think this depends on the situation, If you are casually chatting or discussing something (ie: most online conversations) you shouldn't make allowances specifically for anything. you should just treat everyone respectfully. If there is a disagreement or bone of contention you should raise this assertively without being agressive (which breaches the respect for others) or passive (which breaches respect for yourself). You don't go out of your way to make allowances for someone being depressed, jewish, hispanic, in pain, an idiot, mysogynistc, etc so why should you single out autism to be aware of? surely it would just be easier to be aware that people have reasons for reacting how they do and if it causes an issue to state this without rudeness. If, however you are dealing with someone who will be dealing with an individual, with a specific condition, on a personal level it is important for them to take into account how that condition may affect their interactions. One example of how someone taking autism into account may go wrong; I told an aquaintance that my son has autism so to be aware that he may not always respond when spoken to, the aquaintance then knelt down and said to C, "HOW.....ARE.....YOU....TO..DAY?" C just looked at me n said "Mum, why's he talking weird?" This taught me that when I want someone to take account of something, it's always important to first make sure they know what they're taking account of! As I said, this is just my take on it.

Lisac, I'm really sorry if I caused you any upset <'> I had storming migraine last night and my frustration at some of the stuff thats been going on on the forum took vent on your posts. It really is nothing personal and I know you never meant to cause offence I just seem to get sense of humour failure when I'm in pain, and am a tad outspoken with my opinions. Mumble, As far as I'm aware the term Neuro-typical was originally coined by the autistic community, but has now been adopted into wider scientific use. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurotypical I'm not entirely sure about the terms neuro-type and neuro-dysfunction I may have picked them up from another source or just "created" them myself to explain concepts that arise from the idea of neuro-typical BD, When I had exhausted all the conventional methods of potty training it was posts, from you and others, showing me different angles and ideas that finally helped me support C to get it cracked! Sometimes a different perspective is what is needed, and I'll always be grateful to people who help me find them Karen A, Neither do I, though to be fair I don't think I've met anyone who does Lastly, I just want to say a HUGE thankyou to everyone on the forum! It is the combination of all out differing opinions and perspectives that makes this place what it is, and I would be lost without it! <'> >< <'> ><

OMG!!! How can you not see just how incredably prejudiced this statement is??? It does nothing to disguise the original discrimination because you're still segregating one subsection from the rest of the community! It debases the whole of society into an "us" and "them" situation. ASD vs NT so to speak! So where exactly does that leave those who, while not autistic, are also not neuro-typical? There are many forms of neuro-dysfunction; dyslexia, depression, altzihmers (sp?), psychopathy, just to name a few, are they completely innocent of all rudeness? If not then which camp do they join? As a psychology student I can tell you that Neuro-typical is an incredbly rare neuro-type, being as it means "having no Neuro-dysfunction of ANY kind, whether innate or environmental in origin". And, this just goes to show how little respect you have for the people you've caused offence to! If you truly didn't mean to cause any upset, surely a simple apology would have been a much better way of showing it? Rather than trivialising their justified responses. Bid, Mumble and Baddad, :clap: Thankyou for having the strengh of character to speak out against this attitude! I don't come on this forum to have my ego massaged or my opinions validated. I come here (excluding the social aspect of finding those i share common ground with) to find advice and support for my son's needs that will help me act in HIS best interest! If I knew everything and was certain of my complete, unbiased, understanding then I wouldn't need to ask for advice. Thank you, and all the uphill swimmers, who help me gain perspectives I may not have considered! I have a feeling this post won't make me very popular :tearful:

Hmmm, this seems to be a bit of a double edged blade to me! On the one hand, I am a bit unnerved by the whole idea of a cure (at least, for the high functioning end of the spectrum which is where my main experience is), I wouldn't want to cure my son of his autism any more that I'd want to cure him of his blonde hair or stubborn streak! To me it's just a part of the person he is and while the autism may cause difficulties, so does his stubborn streak! The thought of a potential cull on the autistic genotype is more than a little horrorfying to me (as it would be for any such situation). But.. on the other hand, we have found the genetic basis on many illnesses, none of which have been actively bred out of the genepool. The findings have, however, led to better understanding and treatments, and have given people personal choice, something which everyone should have the right to! I wish I could get my hands on those research papers though! It would be very interesting to see what relevance they have to my own theories. I guess I'll just have to wait a few years until I've done my degree and started my Phd lol!

Hi Muppet, Can you PM me a copy of the survey please? I'm in lincs and hadn't heard anything about it! Thanks, KJ

The paed prescribed melatonin (3mg) for C as he's not been sleeping until midnight or later and he's been on them for 2 weeks now. I have noticed that he seems a bit more ...docile... at bedtime but still has trouble settling to sleep. The paed said it takes time to get into his system, anyone know how long this should take??

only just seen this but wanted to send you some <'> >< <'> and let you know my thoughts are with you all! kj