CarolJ

ASM wonders if is Clarence (with the squint), she saw eyeing up BRW at the Three Bells last night, of perhaps he was eyeing up the Fruit Machine standing next to her?

Hi Autty 39, r u on Autism R us site, you name looks familiar! and Kris More categories need I think Little boy next door (diagnosed Aspie) - little girl on opposite site (undiagnosed), 2 kids in street off of ours both LFA diagnosed. Down the street 4 kids (2 undiagnosed) (2 diagnosed). My best friend of 20 years her daughter HFA. Her nephew suspected HFA, ADD diagnosed ODD S&L and learning delay. Err shall I continue? On my estate 35 diagnosed on disability register - none of the ones that I know personally in my street are on Disability Register. I think I will stop here - sorry Kris - I would recommend a holiday once Elefan returns for Robbie! Have a bicardi breezer m8 and let your hair down! You are doing a fantastic job!

Hi Nel, and welome. You will find plenty of advice and support on this site. It sometimes helps just to know you are not on your own. Having a child with ASD can make you feel so isolated and alone sometimes, I have found I have lost touch with many friends because of my son. I think they feel that we dont have so much in common anymore. My opnion is they cannot have been true friends anyway, it seems easier for others to ignore my kids problems. We are all entitled to wallow in self pity every now and then - its healthy (well thats mytheory and I am sticking to it!) Interesting to note you are a teacher. Please do not take all the SENCO digs to heart, its a form of therapy and offloading - I refer to the Batcave in which noone can follow the thread(s), not even the posters - a rather confused lot in there! We all go thrugh this pain barrier - it gets easier, you grieve the child you thought you had and learn to love the child you have, the goal posts have just been moved! I still have days where I just get so angry at the way things have turned out (usually when I have had no sleep - which is everyday!) Anyway must dash - welcome again to the twilight zone!

Since Jester seems to have three (five in total - ahem ) - I am sure he would not mind sharing with Bad!

JEREMY BEADLE!!!!!!!!!! Sorry just had to get that off my chest!

BD play nicely now! Didnt your mum teach you how to share your playthings. Its selfish to keep your ball(s) to yourself! I have some hidden talents. I used to play two balls when I was a kid! I could do it with one-handed and clap at the same time! In fact I could do four at the same time - 2 in each hand! Used to throw the balls against the wall, singing little ditties and rhymes - sigh those were the days - carefree innocent fun! P.S. - I bet Jesty is good with balls - judging from his avatar!

Yes, I have to agree here, I lurve blokes with long hair (something to hold on to - I would definitely "go to war" with these guys! I even thought Gandalf was tasty, (it was the hair - and yes I am not fussy!) I thought Sean Connery was lovely too, especially in Highlander! Give me a real man any day! Guys like Leonardo Di Caprio bring out the mothering instinct in me and I want to to do is give him a pack lunch, remind him to do his homework and send him off to school! Oh and Mel Gibson in Braveheart and Russel Crowe in Gladiator (okay he had short hair but he was still v tasty!)

Methinks a change of undies would be needed as well! Thinking of totty ASM smiles - Legolas in Lord of the Rings (Orlando Bloom) - ASM would definitely not say no -its those pointed elf ears that do it for me!! ASM quite likes the look of Crighton in Red Dwarf - is it the angles in his square head or is it the fact that he mechanical (and does not need AAs) and does the housework! - perfect! Sidling over to Banshee Girl , StunMum and Pantwoman will not cover those blushes CC

Hi Ka00 Well you have probably come to the best place - there is a mine of info on this site - it will also give you a good insight into what family life is like for AS sufferers and their parents/carers. A word of warning, the Batcave is a form of therapy - not to be taken seriously, although if you were to read the postings there you would probably be thinking, I am not suprised their offspring have ASDs! Welcome to the mad house!

What about Robbie? Do you think he may have traits?

Errr - I voted parent of ASD - but I am 100 percent convinced my cat has ASD tendencies. It spins round in circles for hours on end. When it washes itself it always does it in exact same way, starting with ears (left ear first!) and gets terribly put out if you interrupt it! It always its food in an anti-clockwise circle. Starting from the outside and gradually working its way into the centre - in a spiraling pattern (walking round the food bowl). It cannot read signals from the other NT cat we have. She is constantly attacking him and growling at him as he seems to misjudge her mood constantly - yet he goes back for more! Subsequently he is a bit of a loner awwwwww! He lays in the doorway and does not move however many times he is trodden on! He also seems to have dyspraxia. He cant climb for toffee and attempts to run through the door and bounces off the door jamb!- he is really clumsy! He is always sneezing, and I suspect he might have a dust/pollen allergy or perhaps is allergic to cat fur ! He am my son tend to play alongside each other and get on really well together - cos they dont make any demands of each other! What really convinced me though is that when you change the litter tray his number twos are all in a line! my other cat does not use the litter tray! I definitely think we need a category for pets Kris!

Once again De-Mystification woman comes up trumps! How does she do it! - pat on back there Nells! I was wondering could I get seratonin (opposite of Melatonin) - to help me stay awake at night to counteract my son's lack of melatonin - I have tried sitting under a lightbulb but not quite the same effect! Any thoughts! Caroljx

Elefan, what do you take me for [cue shocked innocent expression] tut tut? Can you let me know then this is released on DVD and Video (what is the rating for it) - it sounds like a very slightly mucky film! Seriously though, this thread looks really promising. As of yet, I have not started to implement the diet for my two, but am definitely going to start now the holidays are here. I thought it best to start whilst they are at home, so that the withdrawals I have heard about will perhaps be better managed and less stressful in their own home (for me at least!). I have just finished out filling the forms for peptide tests and will post them to Univ of Sunderland, I had to get medical details etc. - wracking my brains and checking developmental records - as they are quite indepth. I have found it quite amusing because it asks you about the type of "stools" your child produces [colour, consistency, shape ie sausage or flat!), of course with my scottie, this is easy! But with Emma I had to monitor her movements LOL! Luckily she has an aversion to wiping her bottom and screams for me to do it! I have tried to examine said examples by trying to remove the half a roll of (unused) andrex from the toilet in order to see exactly what shape and consistenncy of said offering! Emma looking at me (asking what I was doing) as if I was indeed of more medication The things we have to do! The results should come back very quickly! Am very interested to see what you all do with the diets. P.S. Bid I was interested to read the question of history of family allergy. As far as I am aware in our family we have no history of food allergy - digustingingly healthy lot, but what we have noticed is my neice who has childhood asthma/eczma and has had multiple sterioid creams antibiotics has recently been diagnosed with irritable bowel. This has been diagnosed since her trip to Kenya with the school (at the beginning of the year). There are numerous reports of the rises in IBD in teenagers, could this all be down to factors including antibiotics, see my earlier post. I know also of many adults who have developed IBD and Chrons in later life. Again, what is causing all these "intollerances". I have to admit I dont like antibiotics, or if I do take them I never finish them! Slap I know but I have never trusted them - it was a gut (forgive the pun) feeling with them. I know doctors now are being more vigiliant about prescribing antibiotics because of superbugs (as well as MRSA). All I know for all our technical and social advances and awareness we seem to be getting sicklier as time goes on. Blimely a nation of "Dot Cottons"! Will let you all know what happens with tests etc.

Nells, Further to the topic already posted Ihad this little gem sent to me today. AUTISM-MERCURY POISONING CONNECTION appears to be confirmed... THE "AUTISM" epidemic has exploded in the last 15 years. THIMEROSAL, the vaccine additive that was intentionally put into childhood vaccines is 49.6% MERCURY, a known NEURO-TOXIN. U.S. GOVERNMENT KNEW DANGERS. (PRWEB) July 21, 2004 -- A national tragedy has resulted in over 120 thousand children being diagnosed with "autism", A condition that is devasting and permanent. Federally mandated childhood vaccines contained this mercury additive until 2001, that exposed millions of children to as much as 40 times the safe level for mercury exposure as established by the E.P.A. It has been determined that "Autism" and mercury poisoning are identical in symptoms. The material safety data sheet (M.S.D.S) on Thimerosal confirms parents' fears. The U.S. Government knew the dangers for years and failed to warn or notify parents. The Bush Administration tried to seal C.D.C. documents that proved the dangers of Thimerosal that was used in the vaccines and attempted to put in a last minute provion in the Homeland Security Bill that specifically protected the pharmaceutical industry from Thimerosal lawsuits filed by parents seeking relief for their injured children. A new book that tells this tragic and true story is titled, MERCURY: The Winged Messenger. Now available at all major online booksellers. This is a must read book for all parents. ------------------------- I am going to try and obtain a copy of the book, it sounds interesting reading!

Fifeman, how did you get on at doctors. It must be very difficult for you - I can totally identify with the need for answers. I pushed for an MRI scan for mylittle boy because I need answers as to why he is not making progress. I need to know if he has any damage. I am still waiting for answers, takes 6 to 8 weeks! Although I need to know I am also scared of what they might find, if anything! I hope you managed to get some sleep! Take care

Fingers, toes, legs and eyes crossed here - having major problems typing now The fear I have with scott that without meaningful language how can I teach him or get him to understand. I have tried "hurting" him back but he doesnot flinch - he has poor pain response - so he cannot appreciate how much it hurts others! (opps hope social services arent ear wigging on this thread - child protection orders all round!) Sigh, best keep em crossed I suppose!

On a more serious note - yea alright its me talking! You know when you are out at your little ASD child decides to have major tantrum/meltdown what do people do - ahh haaa, they blame you! Well, it is just a theory like, but maybe perhaps to a certain degree it is peer pressure/parental example but could there be something else! I know this is contraversial but look at that poor wee tot Jamie Bulger, those boys were old enough to know right from wrong were they, but look at what little b*******ds did. Now I dont want to make an excuse but the majority of us cannot understand how anyone can do such a disgusting a cruel thing to a child, let alone another child! Why? Where was their sense of right and wrong. Could they have felt that babies pain when they did those things to little Jamie? Cold hearted monsters that have been given protection and new identities, they have a life now but little Jamies' life is finished - god knows what those parents went through. The scariest thing of all is that I know Scott (okay he is severely autistic) hurts things like the cats (often hear them yeow!) - he enjoys the reaction - he does not realise that he his hurting - he knows he is getting a reaction. He hurts me, he hurts his sister he hurst his dad LOL!. He does not do it out of malice he doesit because he just does. Empathy is not there - realising that what he does hurrts someone else or being aware of anothers pain is just not in his makeup. I worry about him. As I said I would not have another child because I would live in constant fear of that child's safety from scott. I hate saying but as scott grows older and stronger, I am scared - I only hope that he will start to understand things and get better. Am I just being over negative here, but it is something I have thought about and I am not very confident about the future, I just hope Scott will prove me wrong.

As I posted earlier I suspect that maybe Irn Bru may be playing a major part in this yobbish behaviour. I would definitely petition to have Barrs added to the list of defendants in the UK litigation case! Sigh, I definitely need to get a life!

Esther, you have a knack of opening up a can of worms, of course not talking about the little visitors (pets) your Calghal had adopted - LOL! You know it is late and again my brain has been rambling, a tendency I seem to do in wee small hours of the morning whilst watching my boy rampage round the house - watching a programme on gang warfare and the rising incidents of violence amongs youths and young people in general and a thought struck me (cue lightbulb!) WHAT IF! Autism is the tip of the iceburg, what if ADD/ADHD and other associated behavioural problems and "disturbed" young uns are all part of the same problem? Too much TV, junk food, disfunctional family life (aka blame the parents!) dammnit, even bananas have all been attributed to the break down of "moral values" in kids today. In USA of course the problem has been getting worse for last 35 years (in line with yes - wait for it - mass vaccination) - closely mirroring rises in ASDs. Whaf if that in children who dont develop autism and seem not to suffer ill effects (which is why folks say perhaps there is no link that not all children develop ASD following jabs) but a certain amount of damage is still done in apparently "normal" children part of the brain which gives us a conscious and is that which gives us that sense of right and wrong is affected - the ability to have empathy (of course another ASD trait)????? - to a higher degree is this not what what happens with ASD? I would say that my son's very humanity itself has been affected (and it breaks my heart to admit this) but alot of what my son does is governed by pure survival needs and instincts ie if he is hungry he eats, thirsty he drinks if he is angry he hits out and so and so forth! His awarness has been affected. How many times have I heard that this country is getting more like USA every day! When these young people or teens are interviewed they really dont see a problem with the way they are behaving, surely this is not total bravardo and just fitting in - and sorry to say it alot of these kids seem "none to bright" from the way they use speech (alot of the time repeating the same phrases) - I would guess there may be associated learning difficulties there. I ask, what is it that stops us from hurting others - the ability to have empathy and identify with others? Why do these kids seem to do terrible things without a second thought! I could not have another child because I would have to watch my scottie he would end up killing a baby (not meaning to) but I could not take the risk. I wanted to breed ragdoll kittens but decided not to because I know my scott would probably hurt them! I know I am probably due for another course of electric shock therapy but you know, perhaps there is a link after all! What if ......

David you rant away m8, I'll join you - I do love a good rant Can meningitis also lead to autism? Due to the brain inflamation factor, the reason why I asked is that Scott was given Meng C vaccine 23 days before MMR. When he was given Meng C he had a runny nose and and a cold, he was also in the process of teething - perhaps all indications were that his immune system was not 100 per cent. Perhaps that had some bearing. My daughter received Meng C and MMR at the same time, she also was "under the weather" at the time and her balance, speech and toilet training skills were affected, it was noticed by the playgroup she was at the time, and she also kept falling and hurting herself - I had a visit from Health Visitor because concerns were raised about her - luckily health visitor knew me well so nothing else was done. It was put down to a phase, but of course suspicision was directed at me because of her apparent regression, she was withdrawn and had lost eye contact - one more thing to add to the "Bad Parent list". Also I had gone back to work, someone once suggested to me that because I worked (although my children were in good quality childcare) that was the reason for my kids ASDs "Refridgerator/Career Mother" syndrome. It seems some people just dont deserve to be parents LOL! P.S. with the milk issue, I suppose it wont matter to my kids on the c/f g/f free diet!

Fifeman, I seem to remember a study about nicotine and babies development so yes, I think you are right. Tobacco is nasty, I totally agree but it has been around for 300 years, so dunno if there is a link, I know my mum smoked with all of us (3) and none of us has any problems (well perhaps me but I think those are more self-inflicted) - I suppose the effects of tobacco smoke was not so widely known in those days! The majority of mums I know with autistic children are actually non-smokers . I would be inclined to say that perhaps alcholhol would be more potent on the brain of a developing child but people do drink when pregnant and have kids with no apparent problems so I suppose in moderation it may not be that big a problem! What really gets to me sometimes is people are always so ready to blame the mums (not the least the mums themselves - I know I wrack my brains sometimes thinking what is I did, ate or took that caused this??) In this day and age we know so much more about pregnancy, we take folic acid to avoid problems like spinabifida, have scans are monitored throughout pregnancy, blood samples upon blood samples taken out of us (like dart boards) - are prodded and poked about - and our kids still end up with problems (although my son's did not start until he was 16+ months). Believe me every mother of an autistic child sits there and goes through it, it is horrible and you never quite get rid of that feeling that in some way you have let your child down. Added to that is the fact that people look at you as a parent and almost accuse you for the problems your kids have, ie it has to be the parent's fault, I have had someone actually say to me my son deserves a good hiding! Well needless to say I soon correct that misconception - LOL I look at my kids and think "This was not in the job description", this is not what I thought I was going to end up with - I love my kids more than life itself but the reasons as to why my son especailly is so severely affected need to be answered, if only for my extended family so that if triggers or causes are identified then we know what to do and what not to do. Hopefully, one day, for all our sakes the answers will become clear and perhaps help for the severe problems my scottie has can provide some measure to making his life as fulfilling as possible. We all live in hope, PS. Hey, perhaps it was that Irn Bru his dad guzzled as a kid that somehow caused a genetic modification in my son, who knows! [John always insists it sends the weans crazy!) - Perhaps should add Barrs to the list of defendants in the UK litigation case! P.P.S. just popping to the shops - ran out of fags LOL!

Esther hun If I had a �1 for everytime I looked at my two and thought, "Why them?" I would be rich rich rich! I'd be eating mcvities choccie homewheat instead of hobnobs! The cause(s) of autism have to be found, at the moment the statistics are that you have more chance (x6) of having an autistic child than you do of winning the lottery! Why can't I have both LOL!

Esther I know herroine addicts who carried babies whilst taking methodone babies came out beautiful, I think statistically it leads to still births misscarriage etc. but am not sure about autism. I know a girl personally who has a habit, her baby is the most beautiful NT child you have ever seen! So I guess I dont know mate ....

Esther, wot u like? Well, need I say more I think its eating bananas personally[1] [1] ref Adam Jacobs BMJ et al (Bananas cause autism!) Mercury is a good one but I have to say I dont live anywhere near any crematoriums, the nearest one is 15 miles away, so it depends which way the wind is blowing. I only have 2 silver fillings in my knashers - (only 2 teeth I have left which are my own LOL!). Did not have dental treatment whilst pregnant (with either of my two, just checkups). Did not eat oil fish whilst pregnant (high levels of mercury) Took folic acid before conception Breast fed both my kids Did not eat junk food whilst pregnant, dont eat much now as I like me home cooked dinners! I do indulge in the odd chocolate, but on the whole eat a healthy balanced diet. Oh yeh I do smoke but did not smoke whilst pregnant (well a couple of sneaky ones with Scottie!). Did not drink (at all) when pregnant Did not do drugs - well not until after I had scottie and he started (ended up on prozac! LOL Car emissions mmmm, that is a good one but in the 1940s and 50's I remember my dad talking about "pea soup" fog in London, smog from burning fossil fuels also lead in petrol and in things like paint (but autism was virtually unknown) and regressive autism did not exist except following serious viral infection or trauma of some kind. A recent study was done in USA on infant mice who were given the same levels/quantities of thimersal equivalent to that given to newborn humans, the result - a third of the mice displayed signs of neurological damage! Early compromising of an underdeveloped immune system by heavy childhood vaccination programme, over-prescription of antibiotics to cure all the little ear infections and infections that youngsters seem to get these days (I dont remember getting so many non-specific illnesses in childhood) and finally the good old MMR! Viola - Autism! Many kids become autisitc or display reaction to early DPTs, but screaming and temperatures and finally MMR is the one that finally pushes some suceptible children over the edge, so to speak - some already having become autisitic or displaying autistic traits following DPTs. Ultrasound is also a good theory. I had 2 scans the whole time I was pregnant, not sure if this affected them but I remember when scottie was in uterero, so to speak when they scanned him they had to prod him to wake him up as he was having 40 winks! Lazy so and so, just wished he sleep now LOL! Anyway, of course some children as a result of birth trauma injury autism can be a result and geneology (traits - I would say especaillly with aspergers). It makes me wonder what it is that causes a child of say 16 months to become severely autistic after showing no (and I mean absolutely no) signs of autism prior to alleged event. Funnily enough I have read of much older children become autistic after jabs. There is a little boyin Sussex, I dont think his name was disclosed, but he became autistic after having MMR at 12 years old, By the age of 13 he was autistic - another girl of 7 years! Food for thought eh, if autism does not show itself until the second year of life then why are older children becoming autisitic following MMR? If this influence is environmental, as I posted before, why arent adults developing signs of neurological problems, why do autism appear in clusters (coudl it be the surgeries these children are attending, maybe batch nos of vaccines should be looked at to see if the children have all had same or similar batches! I could go on but will stop here. Good topic though CC!

ASM, having been gone for quite a while is en-route back to the sanctuary of the Batcave laden with carrier bags full of hobknobs to replenish the depleted supply in the batcave (inferior biccies indeed pwah!) - have even stretched to choccie hob-knobs as extra special treat to welcome new additions to the ever bludeoning ranks of the superheros! - by way of celebration. ASM would have gotten back last week except the stupid cheap Asda carrier bags kept splitting and ASM had to stop at various shops along the way to buy odds and ends just to get carrier bag (got some strange looks asking for carrier bag when buying a pack of polos!), so far have Oxfam Bag (1 pair of striped laced trimmed bloomers - Property of BRW written on label), Anne Summers bag (heh heh heh - wont tell u what I bought in there!), Harrods bag (ASM has class - bought air freshner to try to combat the rather nasty niffs that are eminating from the Batloo these days curtesy of BRW - thought about scented candles but decided not to risk any naked flames - any resulting explosion could wipe out everything within a 5 mile radius of the Batcave - would save BM and DW a job though!!), Gadget shop (2 AA batteries - for the Caped Confuser!)! As ASM struggles past a building site she hears a series of wolf whistle, ASM, turns, fixing the beer-bellied sweaty workforce with her most dazzling colgately "ting" smile, (thinking wah hay) - only to realise that in fact the Jester has just passed her wearing a pair of BRW's bloomers! Question: Has The Jester taken to crossing-dressing? Was the tweeded garb of a humble educator by day and the figure hugging revaling spandex of a superhero by night not enough for the once proud Jester? Is he suffering from a mid-life crisis? Or has he been overdoing it The Brew yet again and is having one of his turns? At least he could had offered to help me carry these bags fumed ASM, continuing her way back to the Batcave........