marmalade

1. If you were a song - What would it be? Thriller (!) 2. If you were a painting - what would it be? Something by Monet 3. If you were the weather/season what would you be? Autumn 4. If you were an object or thing what would you be? An armchair 5. If you were a plant/flower/tree what would you be - be specific ? A Madonna lily (it's everything that I'm not!) 6. If you were animal/marine life what would you be? My (pampered) moggie or possibly a duck 7. Cartoon Character? Penelope Pitstop 8. If you were a car what would you be? A mini

Certainly not! You have to release them back into the wild as soon as possible as they will become acclimatised to domestic life and then there will always be one lurking in the back of the airing cupboard... ....Oh, hang on....that might be mice.

My dd will over-react to the tiniest scratch or graze that really needs an electron mircoscope to see properly, but a bigger hurt that would have me reeling and sobbing simply doesn't bother her at all.... She also has a major aversion to sticking plasters.....

I made my dd laugh today. Yeah, I know, not exactly earth-shattering and I've probably done it a million times before (well, I hope so anyway) BUT this time she had to look at me to get the joke. She willingly made eye-contact with me. Felt like Paul Merton or someone else really funny! So this got me thinking.....how come my ASD child finds facial expressions funny? I mean she rarely looks anybody in the eye, yet facial (and visual humour) keels her over every time? Isn't this a contradiction? Not that it matters to me in the least what makes her laugh, so long as laughs, but.... Am I alone in this?

Mumble is there not a third party that you can turn to and ask this person what it is that you have allegedly done to them? If they find it impossible to talk to you, which seems daft to say the least, then maybe they would feel able to explain it to a mutual acquaintance or something. I really do hope that you get this resolved as there is nothing worse than feeling worried about something that you can't seem able to solve..... <'>

<'> Yes, you certainly can! <'>

It didn't happen!!!! DD spent all day yesterday being VERY Sick Indeed and the hospital took one look at her and sent her home (I rang them beforehand and they said bring her in anyway so that the Dr could asses her). We have to go back next Tuesday. That would be the day bofore she goes back to school........

We had our home visit 3 weeks ago (still waiting for news from that though....) and the really nice lady who came to the house simply sat on the sofa and asked lots of questions about The Small and how her ASD affects our lives. The Small was too scared to come downstairs and say "hello". but that didn't seem to matter as she could be heard moving around (I knew she was safe) and I did ask if the lady wanted to go up and see her, but she said she'd rather not as she didn't want to sress The Small out even more. They do ask you to show proof of income, but not how you spend it or anything like that. It was all really relaxed and friendly and not at all how I imagined it would be. Hope this helps.

Might be a bit late with this reply but here goes anyway...... My dd was referred to a Special Needs dentist by my own dentist. To my amazement he didn't even SEE her, he just referred her on as I told him I was concerned that the trauma (for her) of actually trying to see him might simply make it worse for the next time. (All hail my dentist Mr B!! ) I know that you say you can't get your son there, but is it worth (in the long run) at least trying? The more difficult he finds it, the more obvious it is that he needs more specialised treatment?? DLA is available to anyone who needs more care/supervision than a person might normally expect. With DLA comes Carers Allowance (seperate form, of course!) and I don't know about anyone else, but that extra money makes so much difference to our lives....

My dd does this too. I had hoped that it would be something that might diminish over time, but it seems not... Hats off to everyone who can actually travel on public transport it's totally impossible for us as she can't wait, bolts at the drop of a hat and is terrified of the very noisy train station. All hail to my mechanic who keeps my car on the road for me....

Aw, thanks everyone! <'> We've talked about what is going to happen and we are off to the ward today for a pre-op visit which will hopefully help! She's very upset over the fact that she can't eat or drink that morning but everything else is so alien to her that she can't really comprehend it all. We've been playing with one of those masks that you can buy when you're redecorating so she can get to grips with something over her mouth and nose, but I have no idea if it will help..... I am defininately more worried than she is, but have asked my mum to come with me (thanks wishingwell!) so she will have someone with her in the car while I drive home.... Roll on Wednesday when it will all be over!

My dd is due to have 2 teeth extracted next Tuesday (eeek!) and I was wondering if anyone had experience of the aftermath?? She has to be knocked out in hospital (more eeeeks!) and have 2 teeth removed (even though only 1 needs removing. Balancing or something they call it!) and I am really scared for her. She's only 5.... Anyway, does anyone have any tales to tell of the recovery time or what I might be able to expect? I'm really dreading it as I know she's going to be upset, so any advice anyone can offer will be gratefully received.....(The hospital has given me an info sheet, but there is nothing like personal experience.....) Thanks in advance....

Hang on...... I'm meant to receive a copy of the IEP??? All I got was a glimpse of it, upsidedown, as her teacher hung on to it like a terrier... Oh, dear yet another "issue" to raise in September...

Happy Birthday!