Elefan

It was Marillion, Big Country, etc for me. I went to many a 'gig'! Penchant for T-Rex at one time though! I remember my Bananarama look!!! This was either closely followed or replaced by my Goth look!! Black nail polish, long black skirt, talc on my face,.... Did I really do that!!!? Elefan xx

,...and DW is always poised!!! ,...and Robbie is always doing pellets!!!

Brilliant news Sarah! I am about to send off my forms with the same help and advice found on the topics here and on the NAS site. Keeping my fingers crossed that I may have the difficulties acknowledged too. I must admit to feeling inclined to not apply for Carers allowance until I know the outcome of DLA application. All the forms are SO time consuming and daunting. Will you be applying for CA or have already done so? Again, well done. Much deserved. Elefan

Private phone call from Delete Woman to Ban Man,.... ''I know Banman! I understand your concerns, but banning them all leaves us without slaves! We need the squirming superheroes to contribute to our forum in order to achieve the world domination that we seek. It's only a matter of time before De-mystifying Woman helps 'innocently' to push them ALL (Mwahahahaha ) towards the batcave. You have seen how Baddad has shown his true colours in such a soakingly short period of time!! That was no coincidence. You know that once all the 'members' (Even more chuckling,...if only they knew what they had joined!!!) are inside the cave, they are powerless to escape the smell that keeps them there. The slightly mucky side will always be ours, dear Banman,...so long as Robbie continues to spread his pellets. Anyway,...listen bud, I gotta dash,...'' ''Yes DW. Whatever you say, DW. Of course, DW. (worshipping phone as he replaces the receiver)'' CLICK.

Welcome to everyone who has joined recently. You're in good company!! Hope you find the forum helpful, resourceful and fun at times. Elefan and Kris

The return of Caped Confuser!!!!!!!! Delete Woman can smell the Batcave filling up again! Delete Woman reviews the graffitti on the cave wall written by the likes of ASM woman, Ban Man, The Jester, and all their fellow hoodlums. Pondering, she rifles through her pink jump suit and pulls out,.....the little black book. Flicking through the pages she stops at the letter 'Q',.... Delete Woman stares at the name of her old rival,... If only the others new of the dastardly fate DW has in store. With her fingers fumbling around on the batphone (She must take rubber gloves off next time after cleaning u-bends), she dials the number of QUOTE-THEM-OUT-OF-CONTEXT woman. ''Do your worst Q-T-O-O-C!!!! There are four cave walls now covered in this graffitti''. QTOOC looks at the offerings and begins to edit, delete, and ultimately QUOTE THEM OUT OF CONTEXT!!!!!! Delete Woman settles on the pouufe with a satisfied grin on her face. Nibbling the last of the hob-nobs, she wonders whether Caped Confuser will realise the truth behind her recent incarceration. Does it matter whether CC was Banned or Deleted?! For those two superheroes, BanMan and Delete woman work together on the slightly mucky, and now WET and DARK side. They are willing to share the glory!!!! Mwahahahaha,......

What Asperger's syndrome has done for us By Megan Lane BBC News Online Magazine Michelangelo might have had it. So, too, may Einstein, Socrates and Jane Austen. All are claimed to have had Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. What is it about this developmental disorder that can lead to genius? We will never know for sure if the genius of past greats may have been a symptom of a form of autism. Informed speculation that Michelangelo might have had Asperger's syndrome is just that - the Renaissance artist was never diagnosed in his lifetime. Indeed, Asperger's was only identified as a separate condition in 1944, and not until the mid-90s that it was a clinical diagnosis. Instead, two medical experts have drawn this conclusion from studying accounts of the artist's behaviour - his single-minded work routine, few friends and obsessional nature - and comparing it with traits displayed by adults who have been diagnosed today. It's a theory which has been rubbished by art historians, but which has a ring of truth for Eileen Hopkins, of the National Autistic Society. The artist's meticulously observed figures and high work rate resonate with such a diagnosis. WHAT IS AUTISM? A complex, lifelong developmental disability It involves a biological or organic defect in brain function Autism (including Asperger's) is said to affect about 500,000 people in the UK today "This reflects the positive side of this gene, that people with it can contribute in many ways. Being single-minded, it gives them the chance to focus on something which interests them. Their talents are not diluted by the everyday interactions that take up so much time for the rest of us." The same posthumous diagnosis has been made of other historical figures, among them Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton and Andy Warhol. Attention to detail What is the link between this condition and creativity, be it in the arts or sciences? Professor Michael Fitzgerald, of Dublin's Trinity College, one of the experts who posed the Michelangelo theory, says it makes people more creative. "People with it are generally hyper-focused, very persistent workaholics who tend to see things from detail to global rather than looking at the bigger picture first and then working backwards, as most people do." Einstein is credited with developing the theory of relativity But Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, of Cambridge University, says it is more accurate to describe this creativity as "systemising" - a strong drive to analyse detail. "This might be in mathematics, machines, natural phenomena or anatomy, to identify rules that govern a system and any variations in that system." While those whose strength lies in rational analysis are by no means exclusively male, it is described as a male brain trait compared with the so-called female ability to empathise - a characteristic weak spot for those with Asperger's. "The condition does tend to affect men more than women, especially among those who are high-functioning. Males outnumber females nine to one in this diagnosis," he says. DEFINING TRAITS INCLUDE: Find social situations confusing Hard to make small talk Good at picking up details and facts Hard to work out what others think and feel Can focus for very long periods Source: Cambridge Lifespan Asperger Syndrome Service Thus it is thought possible that some maths and physics experts, far from being bright but anti-social misfits, may actually have had Asperger's. One whom Mr Baron-Cohen has helped diagnose is the British mathematician Richard Borcherds, the 1998 winner of the Field's Medal - the Nobel Prize of the maths world. The naturalist and TV presenter David Bellamy mentions in his autobiography that although undiagnosed, he believes he has a form of autism. And Microsoft boss Bill Gates' personality quirks have been compared to those of an autistic. "This goes to show that people who get by without a diagnosis have found a niche where they can use their skills to make a contribution. This need not be dramatic - perhaps they are a very methodical worker, who understands the rules of their chosen profession," says Mr Baron-Cohen. Characters with autistic traits On a lighter note, fictional characters said to display characteristics of those with Asperger's include Mr Spock, Lisa Simpson, Mr Bean and Cliff from Cheers. And one of the school boys in Grange Hill, Martin Miller, has the condition and so has gotten into difficulty after taking a mate's advice on girls too literally. "Mr Spock is an extreme example of someone driven by logic and systemising, but who has no interest in the feelings of others," says Mr Baron-Cohen. "But he is very much a caricature."

Hi Nellie, I have been using Lavendar oil for some time now, having been recommended it by the Health Food Shop in my village. I sought it out to try and help my non-ASD girl who is also having difficulty in sleeping (but she just lies there uncomplaining,...bless her)! Having gone through the 'rage stage' of her sister keeping her up every night, she can not now get into a decent pattern herself again. Anyway,...I have tried the oil under the pillows of both girls, in the vain hope of someone sleeping better! I haven't tried it myself yet though. Sadly, I can't say that I have noticed any change,...but their rooms smell very nice!! Makes a change from the reak of Olbas oil for the stinky colds they have during winter!! Anything is worth a try though! Elefan x

,...to all you super-heroes!! When it is sometimes too difficult to find time to post, or things are maybe 'happening' at home,...there's always a warm welcome in the bat-cave!! Respect!!!! You lot deserve the best!! From an appreciative Delete Woman! PS Jester,....take off the gloves!!!!!!!!!!! Robbie rules!!

Oh Kazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz,......once you've entered the batcave, leading to the SEN maze,..you're done for!!! Of course, I could 'delete' you and then no-one need ever know!!!! Mwahahahaha,... D.M

Um,...Bid,.....You missed out your own son!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! D.W

<Delete Woman pops her head around the corner of the Batcave to see if she can find the elusive genius, Hope!! De-mystifying Woman had assured her Hope would be there. Delete woman glances at the floor,...the sequined trail leads out of the batcave and into the SEN maze. Where is her super-bud Ban-man, when she needs him?!! >

Hullo and welcome!! I presume you will be making for the bat cave, Auriel?!! Elefan

Elefan

Howdi Daisy!! Hope the forum helps to keep you away from being unnaturally hairless!! Elefan

Hello and welcome Bev! Glad you could join us! Your frustrations sound so common, so I expect 'others' will pop up soon to empathise and support you. One thing that I have learned, is that where they cannot place a child into a specific part of the spectrum,..like Aspergers,...they leave them with the diagnosis of ASD. Whether this enhances support you will receive within the Education sector, will very much depend upon your own individual LEA. My very best wishes to you all. Also a hello and welcome to Rhyn Essence! Thank you for sharing your background. Hope your wife posts also,...I couldn't fail to notice you said she was in Education! Is that flutterings in the Bat Cave I hear from Jester?!! Kind regards, Elefan

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!!!!!!!!! Delete-Woman calling Ban-Man,.......come in Ban-Man,.....we have work to do!!!!! Mwahahahaha,...........

{Holding head in hands,....and aghast at how quickly a 'thread' can deteriorate!} You're all crazy! It must be wet and the weekend!! Love Elefan {Finger poised over the delete button,.....ahhhh the power!!! Mwahahahaha,....} xx

Hi Helen, I am no Doctor (obvious, eh?!! ), but I have heard that just getting the visual stuff is possible. Thats why they sell Migraleve 1 and Migraleve 2 packets,...different pills for different stages of migraine. Maybe worth further investigation,...perhaps a Doctor (rather than optician) could shed further light (pardon the pun!) on whether he is light sensitive of having a form of migraine. I got told that my NT little girl suffers 'Abdominal Migraines'!! I had never heard of them before!!!! Elefan xx

Hi Helen, If it helps, I am a migraine sufferer and I see zig-zags,...in a horseshoe shape in the centre of my eye, which expand until my vision is trashed. <Where is the 'sick' smilie??!> The visual disturbance only lasts half an hour or so, before the killer of the actual headache begins!! I wonder if ASD children are more likely to be migraine sufferers. Its my NT girl who suffers from them though! Elefan xx

And a big welcome to you!! Really glad you have decided to join in. I hope we can be of some help to you sometimes too, as I am sure you will be to us. It can be very hard for us parents to get things right!!! Really sorry to hear about your migraines. I know from my own experience how horrible they are. My non-ASD girl used to get them once every 8 days, like clock work. Poor wee soul. Glad the glasses and medication help you. Your GP sounds very wise! Take care, Elefan PS If ever you have difficulty posting your message again, just contact Kris or me and we can sort it out for you easily.

Hi Purdy, Just a thought,... You could try preparing him for his Drs appointment (if he ultimately has one) by saying that the Dr will be trying to help him. Assuming he is aware that he has problems which impact on him and your whole family? We told our little girl that we were going to see a special doctor who would try and help us all (making no mention of disorders/diagnosis). Also, that we knew she wasn't just a 'naughty girl', and whatever was causing the problems would hopefully be addressed now. She was relieved,...and showed her true colours to him!! Even without a diagnosis, the Dr could still be in a position to help you all, making the necessary referrals. I know some children who get more support within the school environement but whom do not have any diagnosis, than my own girl has WITH a diagnosis. Have a look at my 'circle of friends' posting under Education. Such schemes do not apply only to children with a diagnosis. Something like that may help with the bullying he is experiencing, too. Good luck. Elefan xx

Brilliant 'rant', Bid! So well put! So true. Elefan

I tried,...found every other story from todays paper, but not this one!!

Daily mail today. Page 33. ''Could there be a test for autism in the womb?'' How can I find the article online to copy it and post it here?? Elefan