Stella63

Blimey Hev, well done you and Steven!!! Can't get any sense out of AJ about finding a job or going to college!! Please tell me your secret!!! Stella xx

Oh No Chris that just would not work!!!! Or not with OJ anyway- different colours on different feet - no!!!. The all black socks would work but when you have three males in the household, two of whom are the same size and one the size below (which is really difficult to work out which size is which!) I devised this system of one person with stripy toes and heels and someone else with logos on the sides, but it all still gets very confusing! It's so much easier for me, I can just have pink and purple socks and no one gets confused!! Stella xx

Well, all is ok in the 'Thursday' sock world!! I took Mumbles advice and rushed out yesterday to buy a new set so everything was happy for our day in Belgium - apart from the fact that OJ couldn't get to sleep, a combination of his friend staying over, excitement about going to Belgium and too many tics as a result - so we both had no more than 4 hours sleep, not good for me but we coped and at least we didn't have the extra worry of no Thursday socks!!!! we had a great day, bought lots of chocolate and tobacco (main reason for going - apologies to all the non smoking members!!) and I am absolutely knackered - going to bed soon!!! Stella xx

Well, NobbyNobbs, unfortunately, having bought the aforementioned day of the week socks, none of his previously worn socks are recognised by him and will NOT be used as a substitute (I was so stupid to buy these awful 'socks of the devil'!!!). Kathryn, I may have to investigate this as an option but I just can't get past the problem of where these socks disappear to - it is not logical and I should be able to keep track of them - where do they go???? Stella x

Hmmmm!! Mumble, where do I begin? I can't thank you enough for all your extremely well thought out and valid arguments - all of which I adored <'> <'> especially the secret magnetic thingy!!! Unfortunately, due to OJ's rather innate ability to know when he's being scammed, I am unable to put any into practice and am going with the rather sensible suggestion to turn back time and not buy them!!!!!?? OK that didn't work. I'm off to the shops tomorrow to purchase an identical set and hope and pray that the sock monster doesn't have it in for just Thursdays socks!!! I'm sure there is some theory of things like lightening not striking in the same place twice!!?? Thanks Mumble - you're great!! <'> <'> Stella x

Hi Moving on from a thread a couple of weeks ago regarding the problems our AS kids have with socks, I said in that thread that OJ was fine with Next socks and I had just bought him some new ones with the days of the week on them. I knew, as soon as he saw them that i had made a huge mistake - he had to to wear the correct days socks on the correct day and I could already see the stress and anxiety at finding the right days socks. Well we had a few stressed moments where he couldn't find the right pair in his drawer but, you know, Mum to the rescue!!! But, now the worst possible scenario has occurred!!!..... Yes, the sock monster has stolen one of Thursday's socks straight out of the washing machine and I cannot find it anywhere. And we are getting up really early to go to Belgium for the day on Thursday and I don't know what to do!!! What a stupid thing I did buying those socks - please do not make the same mistake!!!!!!!! and any suggestions welcome!!! Stella x

Thanks Kathryn for doing the link! Tally, I made his Joseph costume last year. I bought a cheap satin robe on ebay and patchworked over it with pieces of material and ribbon down the arms - quite a challenge!! I'm afraid this year I cheated and bought the Thriller outfit on ebay. I dread to think what he's going to do next year!!!! Stella x

Hi for those of you who have been following Oliver's singing 'career' I have put his latest on Youtube (still haven't figured out how to do a link!!) - Oliver Joseph singing Thriller will get you to it. He chose the song before MJ died, adores all his music!! They only had 2 rehearsals and one of his dancers pulled out on the day so another boy filled in literally at the last minute!! Oliver knew he wouldn't win again but he wants to be in it every year. The one thing it highlighted to me is he needs some dancing lessons, obviously takes after me (incapable of singing and dancing at the same time!!!!) Stella x

Hi I really should not have entered this discussion, raving about my lovely reliable Henry - I have been punished for boasting!!! Got him out yesterday and he has died Well I know he has lasted extremely well, considering I go through washing machines at the rate of one a year!! but I am a little sad. Anyways I will be going shopping later and will buy myself a new Henry (and its got a more powerful machine in it!!) Stella x

Claire!!! I was actually thinking about you yesterday and wondering how things were going - and then here you are!!!! We haven't had our coffee yet - any chance we could do it soon? OJ and I have finished at lunchtime today and now have 8 lovely weeks of not getting up early!!!! Speak to you soon Stella x

Hi Andy, Welcome! I know you'll find so much info and support here, it has been an absolute life saver for many of us!! My eldest,AJ, was dx'd Aspergers at 14 and ADHD at 15 (which is the more problematic one for him and everyone else!) He has been a nightmare at school since Reception and school refused for virtually the whole of Year 11 - he did go in for Maths and Science GCSE but wasn't entered for anything else - managed to achieve a level 2 literacy online qualification through the Youth Justice Service (yes, he has been arrested and up in court several times - couple of times because we have had him busted for drugs). It has been and still is a roller coaster ride with him - he isn't working or figuring out what he should be doing - just treating life as a game which to us is becoming extremely 'not' funny. Anyway, welcome on board - hope you get some help and answers. Stella x

Hi, We were given a Henry as a wedding present nearly 20 years ago and it has been the most reliable, amazing machine EVER!!!! It has one switch that flicks from carpet to wooden/tiled floor and picks up everything, including cat hairs (in the days when we had them). It has never broken down and simple change of bags every few months is all the maintenance it needs. My dad bought me a Dyson a few years ago cos he was so obsessed with his and i hated it - sold it to a friend! So, thats my humble opinion. Stella x ps don't get me started on toasters ggrrrr!!!!

Hi I have had the same problem with OJ for as long as I can remember and funnily enough he is ok with Next socks. But his feet have suddenly grown and I have now had to buy the next size up - which may cause some new problems! I also did a really silly thing - I bought a pack of 7 pairs with the days of the week on them. When OJ saw them he was really excited about starting wearing them on Monday. When I asked why Monday he told me that was the first day of the week - well I have realised he is going to need to wear the correct socks on each day and this will increase all the rituals and take more time each morning trying to find the right ones and what will happen if one pair don't feel right, he won't be able to wear a different pair!!!!! Stella x

Wow, what a great time!! It was OJ's first ever concert and JB is his idol (and I think he's abit gorgeous too!! ). The concert was excellent and JB was hysterical - much better than on tv! He coped with the crowds (not too many at that venue) and even tried to get his autograph afterwards. We stayed in a hotel (again a first for OJ) and stayed up really late having a midnight feast - it was just what we both needed and can't wait to do it again! Stella x

hi Enid, i have pm'd you. Stella x

Just wondered whether anyone working in secondary school or with kids doing the shadowing scheme at the moment. I have just read Black Rabbit Summer, which I loved until I got to the end, I really didn't like the ending as it left a serious loose end!!! Don't like those!! But just finished The Knife Never Letting Go and that was brilliant!! I nearly put it down when I realised it was set on a different planet (don't really do science fiction these days) but it grabbed me and couldn't put it down - I knew the ending wouldn't be conclusive cos it said it was book one so obviously more to follow (and just ordered it from internet). The thing I love about this scheme is that you read books that you wouldn't normally pick up from the shelf and if it works for me, hopefully it works for some of the kids!! Anyone else out there!!!!!????? Stella x

Hi Clare Happy Birthday for, was it yesterday, where are you????? stella xx

Hi OJ has been on fluoxetine for about 18 mths - he has just turned 13 now. The suggestion was made by the CAHMS psychiatrist who was also part of the Tourettes team at St Georges hospital and she also did a second dx of Aspergers - she was the ONLY decent CAHMS person we ever saw and she didn't stay there very long. She recommended the Prozac for OJ's anxiety and OCD and I have to say he has had no side effects and I notice if he doesn't take it for a few days - he gets louder and less in control of himself. But an interesting point from Mumble that it can work along side therapy like CBT - we are in the situation where OJ refuses to see his CAHMs psychiatrist because he is absolutely useless, so he is getting no input from the professionals! Its actually quite frightening that these 'professionals' make recommendations for our kids and then basically sit back and do nothing. Last time I took OJ to see the man it was because he was traumatised by the behaviour and actions of his older brother - CAHMS guy was horrified, said he would put OJ on an art therapy course (talking through art) or something like that rather than 1to1 counseling - guess what - nothing has happened!!! Sorry, got a bit carried away there!!! Stella x

Hi OJ has never coped with any kind of camp or even sleepovers as he has so many bedtime rituals. However, he managed 2 nights on yr7 school camp last summer and has decided he wants to go on a PGL holiday next summer with the school in France!!! Its now booked and part paid for!!! Can't believe it but he is definitely maturing!! Stella xx

Hi Nocti Just listened to some of your music Amazing stuff!! I have a very talented son, OJ, who lives to sing so am always very appreciative of musical talent!! Welcome to this lovely forum. Stella x

Hi Donna, Welcome to the club!!! As you can see from my signature I've pretty much got the lot with my lot!!! Any questions, or suggestions are more than welcome!! Stella xx

Hi Kathryn, Yes he started having lessons when he came to the school last year. I had explained to the Music Director about his special needs and she matched him up with a teacher who has an ADHD son. They get on really well and he is the only boy who has singing lessons!! She will also coach him through his voice breaking which I think is beginning to start. OJ can't wait cos he wants to know what his range will be like and can then decide what sort of music he wants to sing - I think everyone agrees he will carry on getting better and better - he's got one hell of a pair of lungs!!! Stella xx

Hi Pookie, That was a very poignant comment for me. My mum died when OJ was 4 so she hasn't been able to share in his growing up, dx's etc. But Danny Boy was one of her favourite songs and it was played at her funeral. Unfortunately whan OJ first told me he was singing it I blurted out that information which made him very upset for a while - luckily he got over it and was able to sing it at the concert. Stella xx

What a star!!!! It is such a good feeling when something goes right - hold onto it!!! stella xx

That is fantastic - i'll be looking out for you!! What type of music do you sing? I'm really interested because OJ will be wanting to audition when he's old enough and he is exactly the same - raising awareness of his needs and showing that you can still achieve inspite of the problems. Good for you!!!! Stella xx