bid

One thing I have noticed is that now at my advanced age I sometimes find myself in situations where I know that when I was younger I would have been overcome with panicky anger, or outraged by some perceived injustice (was always big on that one!), or absolutely furious with myself...but now it's almost as though those emotions are under a layer of cotton wool and it's easier to think 'meh'... Don't know if that makes sense, and whether it's just a normal side-effect of getting older, or whether I am slowwwlllyyy getting better at balancing my reactions/emotions? Bid

I'm not a teacher, but I do work with children and young people with severe learning difficulties, including autism, and complex medical needs. I have to say my own opinion is that your teacher has been unprofessional to say that she feels 'hurt' by your son's lack of emotion. How on earth would she deal with the extreme challenging behaviour experienced by myself and my colleagues then?? As a professional, you go through the whole gambit of emotions when working with children with special needs, but you deal with those feelings privately or with your team. What you shouldn't do is take them personally, as it appears the case with your son's teacher. Parents have enough emotions of their own to struggle with, they don't need a professional telling them how 'hurt' they are, epsecially over something as fundamental as a child with ASD not showing the expected emotional responses! I really feel for you <'> Bid

There will be no difference in strength between tablets and capsules if they are both 3mgs. It's just a different way of presenting the melatonin. HTH Bid

http://www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum/Index.php?/topic/26772-member-titles/page__pid__308258#entry308258 See above Bid

Meg had her cast changed today, so we had the first glimpse of her new hand! It's still a bit swollen and bruised, with an 8'' scar running down the inside of her arm and across her palm, and a 4'' scar on the outside of her forearm (not quite what her OT said, but never mind). Still, they are really, really neat, and almost healed so all good. Poor lass, it was pretty painful, and she did have a faint moment. But only another two weeks in the new cast, then rehab! Bid

TBH, white bread and chocolate spread are really not that healthy, and don't forget that cheese is very high in fat. You would be better off with brown bread (lots of different types to choose from: wholemeal, granary, etc) or if you really don't like those, at least the 'half-and half' bread is better than white. Bid

Hi Echelon, I was diagnosed with AS when I was 41. Another question to consider is what your parents have to say about your childhood and adolescence? Did they have concerns about your development? Certainly for most??/any?? NHS referred assessment you will need to have parental input. I'm not sure what happens with private assessments. It turned out my mum had always had concerns about me, and it was quite an upsetting experience listening to her talk about me as a child. Bid

Now, why doesn't my life sound like that...? Bid

Oh excellent! Bid <'>

Perhaps the psychologist is trying to encourage you to look outside yourself by suggesting positive things you could do with your mum and sister? Bid

Hi again Xye, I hope BD won't mind me quoting him from another thread: Bid

I honestly don't mean this in a patronising way, but you are very young...unfortunately, this is basically what life is all about. I'm not quite twice your age, but my adult life as comprised this exactly, ranging from an early abusive relationship, fighting for a child with special needs, looking after my dad as he died from dementia, another child being badly injured in a road accident, money and housing problems...and many, many deeply personal disasters. I'm not saying this to make out I'm special in any way...I guarantee variations of my story can be repeated by every adult on here. BUT, what the majority of us have tried to do is put our heads down and plod on, determined that however bad things get, we are not going to give in, give up, or become bitter, unhappy people. Sadly, you can't escape cr*p in this life, sometimes a whole shed-load, sometimes completely unfairly. There will always be people who appear 'luckier' than you are...also richer, more attractive, more intelligent, etc. AND sadly, some who are more bitter, more disillusioned, more negative. There is a saying about this life that goes 'this is no dress rehearsal' <'> Don't waste it feeling hard done by, whatever the cause, ASD, poor family relationships, ill-health, etc, etc. Be determined that, whatever happens, when you are old, you will look back and say you put up a bl**dy good fight to have the happiest and best life you could. Bid

Also Xye, each of us has the complete free will to choose how we tackle the challenges life presents to us. You can choose to view a possible dx of ASD as the utter end, or you can face it head on and be determined to live the best life you can. Nobody, but nobody has an easy ride. Some people face greater challenges, others face lesser or different challenges. What matters is how you choose to tackle them. Hope you get some answers soon to help you see things more positively. Bid

Well, I had already been in my job for a couple of years when I got my dx...but I was asked to go for a promotion (which I got, and they didn't ask me anything about my upcoming assessment during the interview) when I had already told my line manager about my referral. I have since ticked the appropriate box on various HR forms, and on a couple of occasions had to ask for specific adjustments during in-house training because of my AS, which were fine. However, I do work at a residential special school, so they have a good knowledge of ASD, plus the staff in general are not what I would call 'mainstream' themselves so they tend to be more accepting of difference. I would imagine things might be very different in other careers. HTH Bid

Lynne is absolutely right! I have a dx of AS, I've been married for nearly 18 years, have 4 kids, and a full-time job working with young people with learning difficulties including autism and complex medical needs. Bid

Fantastic news! Bid

I think Mel's absolutely right Jeanne <'> It's still very early days with a new routine for Glen to get used to. Bid <'>

Hi Smiley, You need to speak to your GP about the right options for you. There are quite a few different medications that can help, but you need to discuss them with your GP. (With regard to other members recommending specific medication, it might be helpful to have a look at this link: http://www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum/Index.php?/topic/8212-important-please-read/) Good luck, I know how dreadful period problems make you feel <'> Bid

That's just the best news Jeanne!! So, so pleased for you all, and huge well dones for sticking to things when it's felt really hard <'> Bidx

...and for the 5th year running, I can't afford to go!! Oh well, maybe one day! Bid

Luxury!! We got absolutely nothing at all! Although I do believe there might have been something of a pub crawl with the boys' school in our own time... Bid

Oh poor you!! <'> TBH, it's actually been pretty painless and she's saved money towards things herself too ...I've enjoyed all of it really, but unfortunately this big upset over the limo has cast a bit of a downer over everything. I'm hoping it will be like the usual teenage girlie rows and all be forgotten soon Hope your DS enjoys the big night! Bid

You have no idea how easy you've got it with a lad!! Big A's 'prom' (old mates from mainstream bought him a ticket, ahhh): dad's DJ and bow tie (which were actually grandad's so about 50 years old), dad's white shirt, black school trousers and school shoes...job done!! And then make yourself sick by drinking too much and smoking a cigar! Bid

21.9%...compared to 25%, but just mix it a bit stronger!! Bid

All prom 'bargains', but still adds up (dress, shoes, hair, nails, share in limo - and restorative chocolate for the upset following the argument with all her friends over the fact they chose a white one...)! And I'll have you know that Aldi is fab ...really nice stuff, and anything from a third to even half less than a Tesco shop!! My latest find has been 'pretend' Pimms at just over a fiver a bottle...tastes exactly like the real thing Bid