tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2009-11-09:/MokoFeed2009-11-09T15:13:00+01:00tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2009-10-10:/2009/10/10/hello-everyone-7137639/runninggoose2009-10-10T15:09:53+02:002009-10-10T15:09:53+02:00 <p>Well the time really flies when your having Fun.<br>Well i wouldn't call it all fun but you cant have a good day everyday.<br>As today i turned 40 although i dont feel like it so i decided  to  look in on my blog.<br>I suppose 2 score out of the 3 score and 10 that the big guy up stairs have given us all is time to start taking stock.<br>Well things in the world of autism are much the same , its still lack of awareness that presents the biggest challenges.<br>But i post on and around that in future posts.<br>I hope this quick update finds everyone in the world of blog  well and Happy.<br>I never noticed that before but there is a character counter counting upwards. is that new or has it always been there.<br>I have had to disabled the kontera ads or maybe it was the web ring code but something was causing the page to freeze on my blogs. i keep an eye out and hope that the script i removed has solved this problem.</p> <p>Thanks for reading. Take care if anyone wants to add me on twitter please do. Runninggoose is the user name<br>bye for now<br>also feel free to join my group on facebook<br><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8518082167&ref=ts"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8518082167&ref=ts">http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8518082167&ref=ts</a></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2009/10/10/hello-everyone-7137639/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2008-12-20:/2008/12/20/happy-christmas-everyone-5251176/runninggoose2008-12-20T19:32:59+01:002009-01-14T08:50:04+01:00 <p>i dont want this reminder on here but thanks for reading everyone </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2008/12/20/happy-christmas-everyone-5251176/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2008-08-27:/2008/08/27/thank-you-4644058/runninggoose2008-08-27T14:19:24+02:002008-08-27T14:19:24+02:00 <p><a href="http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/autism-schools/">http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/autism-schools/</a> please sign this </p> <p>thanks to everyone who has signed this so far.<br> you need to have a uk address.<br> we have reached the 200 point so there will be a reply to everyone that signs from number 10<br> downing street to their email address they used when signing the petition.<br> i ask that anyone who knows anyone in the uk to ask them to sign this.<br> thanks ..<br> the school holidays are nearly over which will give me some time to write about daniels summer holidays when the school term starts.</p> <p>hope this finds everyone well and that you have all have a good summer</p> <p>christmas is looming again i spotted a xmas tree in woolworths. crazy eh its only august.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2008/08/27/thank-you-4644058/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2008-07-09:/2008/07/09/vets-dogs-and-big-teeth-4423731/runninggoose2008-07-09T09:35:33+02:002008-07-09T10:07:08+02:00 <p>hello everyone.<br> Daniel's doing great and really enjoying his new school.<br> Daniel's dog Nugget went the vet yesterday while daniel was at school.<br> Nugget has got a pollen allergy and he broke out in a red rash and lost some of his coat around his hip joints and under belly.<br> Nugget will have to stay off fresh cut grass and take some steroids for 10 days hopefully it will clear up . the vet says its not uncommon for goldies to get eczma .<br> Any way nugget had an injection and seems very happy and contented to day.<br> i will take him for a walk in a bit and see how he gets on.<br> i did have to nip back to vets yesterday on my own and i'm glad daniel was not with me as a man wearing two odd shoes came into the vets. Daniel would have noticed and would have said look thats mans got odd shoes on. Plus the guy sat down next to me with his muzzled dog which seemed quite nice natured. a lady sitting the other side of me had a very small yorkie huddled in her coat and shaking like the dog knew something was about to happen.<br> after five minutes the guy wearing odd shoes was called and has he walked to wards the the vets rooms his dog did the back up routine and slipped his collar and muzzle which was all one piece.<br> it ran past two babies that were in there car carry seats and went in attack mode on a terrier.<br> the terrier was wearing a plastic collar to protect it's stitches and never stood a chance of protecting it self.<br> the dog that got loose which was a collie crossed with a springer spaniel ( i mean spaniel's are quite soft dogs) collies can be tempermantal ) but it shook this terrier about like it was a rag doll.<br> the sound was herrendous. it took me and three others to part them.<br> just as we had succeded the dog went crazy and bit one of the guys who then lost his hold of the terrier and the attacking dog once again had the neck of the terrier gripped firmly in his mouth.<br> the vet came out and managed to stand over the attacking dog and straddle him and got it in a bear hold while the muzzle and lead was reattached.<br> the attacking dog had covered us all in its diarohea as it was pooing through out the attack.<br> the lady who owned the terrier had collapsed on the floor while everyone esle was outside with there own pets to protect them .<br> i have never seen any thing quite so horrible .<br> the poor terrier was nearly ripped apart and there was people outside shaking,<br> the noise of the attacking dog and the way it just kept attacking and biting the terrier despite four of us trying to hold it down was herrendous.<br> its put me off vets for a life time i can tell you.<br> When i hear on the news that dogs have shaken babies round like rag dolls and you think well why did they not stop the dog. let me tell you there is nearly no way of parting a dog thats attacking once it teeth are stuck in the flesh and if you try to pull them apart the dogs teeth just cut through flesh like knifes.<br> all in all a very nasty experience and one i would not like to see ever again,<br> people say throw water on them but who the hells got a bucket of water with them when they are walking down the street.<br> i dont think this dog wanted to attack people though as it could have got the baby in its car seat when it walked right by to attack the terrier.#<br> who knows maybe if the terrier was not close by it could have been the baby instead.<br> it makes me feel sick thinking about it.<br> i am going to ring the vets today to see how the terrier is.<br> I'm just glad Daniel and Nugget were not with me.<br> sorry if its a bit graphic in text but i just wanted people to know that even if a strange dog looks quiet and dosile it has the ability to attack. This was no pit bull or anything like it.<br> i hope this finds everyone well</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2008/07/09/vets-dogs-and-big-teeth-4423731/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2008-06-17:/2008/06/17/autism-school-aquired-4326586/runninggoose2008-06-17T11:53:21+02:002008-06-17T11:53:21+02:00 <p><a href="http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/autism-schools/">http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/autism-schools/</a> please sign this </p> <p>i almost forgot to say .<br> the home teaching of daniel ws short lived.<br> AFTER THE MEETING WITH THE LEA.<br> SOME WEEKS BACK.<br> i forgot to update but its been exciting as daniel is going to an autism specific school.<br> The children there are all autistic and he loves it.<br> He even now looks forward to going.<br> it just amazing to see the difference in him.<br> He even now goes by taxi . something he would not do as he wanted to be us until the last moment at his other schools<br> and so i used to drive there and back twice covering 80 miles a day just for school.so<br> so i moved closer to it but then i could not send him any more as it was destroying him.<br> but it seems the LEA listened here something solihull never did..<br> so moving was a good thing in the end.<br> He does not get detentions for thinking out loud anymore.<br> the teachers are all very experienced where autism is concerned.<br> and everyone in the school is more like a large extended family.<br> he has made friends with the other kids and the staff.<br> he njoys break times which are well structured .<br> it has made a difference at home too.<br> i know although it has very few children it wont effect him socially as the large<br> amount of kids at previous schools just made him want to hide in the toilets all day as<br> he could not sensory tolerate it.<br> There is NO !! doubt about it.<br> this was where he should of been all along.<br> hundreds more children are still suffering and will always struggle to survive<br> through mainstream and some non autism specific special needs schools.<br> (please see my previous posting )<br> where autism awareness and training just dont happen.<br> it so unfair because i now know the diffrence it can make .<br> i have seen it and experienced it with my own eyes.<br> please get all your friends and their friends to sign my<br> petition on the number 10 downing street petition site.<br> if just one school was built then it was worth your 3 minutes to sign up.</p> <p>thank you in advance</p> <p>robin </p> <p><a href="http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/autism-schools/">http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/autism-schools/</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2008/06/17/autism-school-aquired-4326586/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2008-06-17:/2008/06/17/a-message-i-replied-too-4326041/runninggoose2008-06-17T09:36:46+02:002008-06-17T09:56:12+02:00 <p>A friend i met back when i was in my teens and who i still message through the internet recently sent me a message saying that she was going to be helping out with a autistic child next term at the school where she is a teaching assistant.""<br> One part of the message that still amazes me is the part of" the class I am working in next school year will have an autistic boy he has quite extreme autism so I am quite scared as I know nothing about it "<br> yes she is going to learn as much about it as possible now.<br> but thats because she wants too.<br> but this shows that schools are still putting children with ASD'S with Teaching Assistants that are not trained or have any understanding of autism.<br> Yes she will only be helping out on days where his main teaching assistant is away.<br> but this is not fair on the teaching assistant or the Child ..<br> EVERY ONE KNOWS MY STANCE ON mainstream Schools for autistic kids.<br> i believe AUTISTIC KIDS should go to AUTISM specific SCHOOLS where my SOn now goes.<br> i have seen the the difference it makes</p> <p>You can sign my petition at</p> <p><a href="http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/autism-schools/">http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/autism-schools/</a></p> <p> i replied to my friend .<br> here is the reply.</p> <p>you will need to visit <a href="http://www.nas.org.uk">www.nas.org.uk</a> .<br> just prepare your self for what seem's like a very cheeky kid.<br> they can be very literal and like routines to stay the same.</p> <p>but all autistics are different .<br> they find it hard to understand or accept social rules.<br> they can seem indifferent and show really challenging behavior.<br> notice i say can because not all display autistic behavior .<br> its sometimes is only apparent when they face situations they can not deal with.<br> such as unstructured time such as break times or lunch in the dinner hall.<br> Its no good expecting autistic children to follow normal school rules.<br> also a lot of kids with autism get given detentions so they miss break times.<br> quite a few autistics i know relish these as it gets them off the play ground .<br> its complex and you will have to learn from the child.<br> if something upsets an autistic child its no good forcing the issue.<br> they get lows and depressions more than normal kids.<br> and a simple thing like being told they cant sit in a certain chair can destroy them.<br> also a lot of kids with autism have movement tics and can be very fidgety and a lot also have things such as adhd and add as well as OCD but like i say they are all different.<br> the very best thing you can do is ask if you can talk to there parents and let them give you a insight into the child.<br> even they will be learning evrey day about there child.<br> one thing i do know from experience is never to raise your voice or get angry with an autistic child or adult.<br> its hard not too.<br> your point of view does not matter in their mind.<br> they do not show empathy for others and it can seem like they almost spiteful.<br> but the fact is they really cant help it and punishments and shouting at them does not work.<br> Daniel has been shouted at school in the past and even sent out of class where he walked out of school .<br> i think your school should offer you sort of autism awareness<br> course.<br> also if you attended anything like that you would invaluable to a lot of schools. as there are in 1 every 100 kids with autism and only a a very few TA's and teachers in mainstream schools knowing anything about it.<br> autistic kids need some where to go melt down and let it all out.<br> I my self dont think autistic kids should attend mainstream school. one its not fair on the child. Two its not fair on the teachers who are not given training and Three its not fair on the other kids either.<br> but this government let LEA's place such children in mainstream schools and no one really knows how it destroys the child's mental health and well being unless you see it for yourself.<br> as the child gets older (daniel went through normal infants and junior school)and two special needs schools which were not autism specific/ and one special needs school all most destroyed his mental health. they thought they could make him normal. by forcing him to do normal Neuro typical things.<br> its not just the teachers having no understanding its the whole school environment.</p> <p>it causes major problems.<br> if you was to see the same children who just could not get on in mainstream and non specific special schools in an autism specific school you would not think they were the same children.<br> daniel actually likes school for the first time since starting.</p> <p>Saying that its very rewarding seeing an autistic child progress .<br> although my stance is although its unavoidable and having seen my own son nearly destroyed by teachers that had no understanding of autism and schools that did not have the right facilities to cope with autism i think mainstream school and even special schools who only have training in learning difficulties and physical disabilities are not the place to teach autistic kids.</p> <p>but thats me.<br> I'm just going on what my son has been through.<br> but i also know hundreds of families who have been through the same thing.<br> You will have been put in the deep end.<br> you have to have the patience of a saint .<br> be prepared for tantrums out of nothing .<br> they can be very very polite and them extremely rude.<br> they will be either being extremely quiet or never let anyone else get there point out.<br> they dont like making eye contact.<br> some teachers demand this off kids and its something you should not force on autistic kids. just because they are not looking at you does not mean they are not listening.<br> also if they seem to understand it does not mean they understand.<br> they can sometimes seem older than years but then they can seem younger than their years.<br> most autistics will have an obsession about something. this can change day to day or last for ever.<br> they expect you to know and like it but wont want to know about your hobbies or likes or their peers. this cause conflicts between them and other kids who easily dislike being dissed so friendships are hard to keep and make .<br> they tend to dismiss things they dont like and they are honest so expect them to be quite rude.<br> not all are like this.<br> some are verbal some are non verbal.<br> some are very very verbal.<br> like i say they are all different each and every one.<br> they just satisfy the triad of impairments which gives them their<br> ASD.<br> Good luck.<br> let me know how things go.<br> but if you can ' i advise trying to chat with their parents.<br> no one knows their child like them.</p> <p>dont i go on.<br> did i say i was autistic.</p> <p>you would not guess would you ..<br> but everyone has a little autism.....</p> <p>take care<br> robin</p> <p>so you see<br> LEA'S and schools are still not doing all they can....</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2008/06/17/a-message-i-replied-too-4326041/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2008-05-02:/2008/05/02/over-flowing-baths-and-never-short-of-th-4122234/runninggoose2008-05-02T12:07:43+02:002008-05-02T12:08:10+02:00 <p>The home teaching of Daniel is going Ok .<br> I have yet to drop this weeks work off as yesterday morning i left the bath running and i totally forgot.<br> It took about three hours to mop up the water that ran through the floor and down into the kitchen.<br> Nugget the dog thought it was time to go for a paddle .<br> after 6 kitchen rolls and 7 bath towels and 3 small towels and lots of wringing out it was cleaned up.<br> You would not even know what happened .<br> Anyway today i have to go to the local rubbish dump to take some rubbish that was left over in the garden.<br> So daniel is coming with me and later i will ask him to write about what happens to the rubbish people take to the local dump.<br> I do not know now if i will able to drop off his completed work at the school today and i doubt if it will be looked until until tuesday and its a bank holiday<br> on monday so its an extra long weekend.<br> I have to mend the gate on the front sometime today as it has fell off and Daniel is worried about it so we will both try and get that fixed after picking up some<br> wood from the local DIY centre.<br> Then i need to start on the garden<br> Daniel has some seeds he wants to sow and i have a few hanging basket brackets to put up as well so if we remember we will get some new drill bits but we always seem to<br> forget them.<br> Daniel seems happy that he is being taught at home .<br> I am still waiting to her from the LEA to see if they are going to help send him to the right school.<br> But at the moment i know he learning just as much if not more than if he was at the school they placed him and he is not depressed .<br> So if it does take until until september then so be it.<br> Its tough but its worth it.<br> PLus Daniel has been going to his Nan's and granddad's once a week and that helps us recharge our batteries .<br> Anyway time is moving on and i have lots to do.<br> Hope this finds everyone well<br> x</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2008/05/02/over-flowing-baths-and-never-short-of-th-4122234/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2008-04-25:/2008/04/25/schools-4093721/runninggoose2008-04-25T15:44:13+02:002008-04-25T15:45:57+02:00 <p>Hello everyone.<br> Its been a while but i can say a lot has happened.<br> Some good some not so good.<br> Firstly i have recently moved and now under a completely new LEA.<br> I am at present also home teaching my son.<br> He was at his present school for about a year , I say present has he is on the school role but i am teaching him at home.<br> For the right child his present school is excellent but Daniel is not the right child.<br> i doubt he will ever be the right child but unless he gets a place in an autism specific school we or he wont ever know and time is beginning to run out.<br> There is a chance of a space at an autism specific school but its a matter of waiting to see if funding can be arranged.<br> The sad thing about this is the fact that the LEA have wasted money in the past by not placing him where he should have been to begin with.<br> The problem at the school where he is still presently on the role is by a teachers addmission is that he makes some teachers angry. And a recent comment WE have done our best . Daniel dont need them trying their best. He needs the right education with teachers who have right kind of training not teachers trying there best.</p> <p>Im sorry but a few teachers with basic training in autism does not mean that they know everything.<br> i dont see how you can have basic training. You need to understand a lot more than a few basic things if you are to understand<br> anyone with autism. the first rule is stay calm . How can teachers shouting breaking the first rule help Daniel. </p> <p>And the fact that they think he can change so he fits in to the big wide world when he leave school. You can not do that. if you could no one would have autism after being changed into a a normal person after going through school.<br> Why do they think they can change him. all they do is make him feel depressed and the anger shown to him by some teachers such as shouting at him just makes him react.<br> This may sound harsh but when you know the right schools are out there and its your child not getting the right placement and seeing what the wrong reactions and punishments do to him because he happens to have autism it outrages you.<br> Can he help it if he dislikes being touched. does it mean he should get over the fear of being touched just because that person is blind or in a wheel chair . do we tell a person who cant see to stop worrying if a car is coming and just walk.<br> It seems that his autism has not been taken into account on numerous occassions and the fact that he has disapeared and no one in the school knew if he had left the school or not has brought us to the point where i cant sit at home wondering if he is depressed or being punished for being autistic and do they know where he is.</p> <blockquote><p>Could anyone sit at home knowing they had lost the whereabouts of there child even if they were not autistic.</p></blockquote> <p>The head says they can do this and do that.<br> but they cant because they dont have the man power.<br> They could not even make it possible for someone to always be there to offer him support or comfort when he has been order out the class for saying things that to him are the truth. Back to the literal side of things, BUT thats daniel he says it like he sees it. they are supposed to according to educational statement of needs be sympathic to the reasons why he may say what he says. but they cant because sometimes other children in the class will laugh and then the teacher has to make an example to keep order. By dishing out play time detentions etc. This will not stop Daniel being literal . Shouting or getting angry wont teach him to be calm.<br> It seemed ok considering it was not autism specific at first.<br> Daniel now feels all the teachers hate him. They can not deal with him because they dont understand him.<br> i was told other autistic children there follow all the rules so he should .<br> Rules mean nothing to a child with autism plus all autistic children are different.<br> i said it once i will say it again. if you have met one autistic person then you have met one person who is autistic.<br> it thats word again. ""spectrum"". because every autistic person is different .<br> I could be teaching Daniel until september . it could be until next week but the fact remains<br> i know he is safe and wont be punished for being himself and while i am not the greatest brain on earth i'm sure we will<br> be able to learn from each other until i get the funding from the LEA .</p> <p>so lets round this up.<br> The teachers do not know how to deal with Daniel .<br> They do know how to teach children who are blind or in wheel chairs.<br> WHY BECAUSE THEY DONT HAVE<br> difficulty with social communication<br> difficulty with social interaction<br> difficulty with social imagination.<br> Daniel does not understand the unwritten social rules which most of us pick up without thinking.<br> He will<br> appear to behave 'strangely' or inappropriately, as it is not always easy for him to express his feelings, emotions or needs.</p> <p>Why should he be shouted at because the teacher has to make an example.<br> do they force kids to climb a flight stairs in wheel chairs to show the ones who can walk that everyone must follow the same set of rules .</p> <p>No.<br> so why do they try and force kids with autism to climb barriers they cant and then punish them when they bloody fail.</p> <p>He cant Change . Its like i said before</p> <p>AUTISM IS A REASON NOT AN EXCUSE</p> <p>Daniel has autism ocd and ADHD all these present behaviour difficulties if cetian things like loud noise or if he is touched<br> or he may be honest to the point of rudeness.<br> They say they cant allow this .<br> The schools states that no child with a history of behaviour problems shall be considered.<br> They tell me that they can teach him.<br> Well he may be on the SChool role .<br> He gets his attendance mark as well.<br> But until they fund him at an autism specific school he remains at home with us.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2008/04/25/schools-4093721/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2008-01-12:/2008/01/12/reply_to_p_visitor_on_support_dogs~3567938/runninggoose2008-01-12T22:30:21+01:002008-01-12T22:30:21+01:00 <p>p [Visitor] wrote the following reply to post <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/08/29/reply_to_lisa_on_support_dogs_for_autism~2889953">http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/08/29/reply_to_lisa_on_support_dogs_for_autism~2889953</a></p> <p>2008-01-04 @ 12:44<br> i have wrote to you before about dogs for children with autism, i am all for it as my son has a dog but you cannot take your PET dog into a shop or cafe etc for health and saftey reasons unless it is a fully registered dog by Assistance Dogs UK even using the disability rights your son may be supported by your dog but you can not take the dog into public places like a guide dog there are reasons why. You dog needs to be trained a certain way by a quaified trainer by an organisation that does this for disabled people that is the law for these types of dogs. There are orgs that are doing this for children with autism in the uk but it is still in the pilot scheme stage. so it is happening these things take time there are things to iron out etc but it is working for us </p> <p>I say you could be right but this is what i know ..</p> <p>There is no actual law that states this in the uk.<br> I have a letter from my an MEP that states.<br> If you cant enter a building due to your disabilty either with or without help or support which includes animals as well carers or helpers etc then that shop or business is failing to comply with the your disabilty rights to be enable you to do so.<br> Its not been tried in court as far i know but a dog does not have to be deemed certified to enable this support.<br> And it's down to the disabled person or carer to decide if the dog is aiding them not a shop manager.<br> any dog that helps support a disabled person in any situation is a support dog.<br> I not saying take unrulely dogs into shops etc.<br> a lot of breeds are very well behaved without becoming a guide dog for the blind or a failed guide dog.<br> its an hygeine issue more than safety as any responsible<br> dog owner would have arrange for their dog to have basic training .<br> It's impossible to find the thousands of pounds to teach your dog to take washing out the washer etc.<br> A dog can support an child or adult with autism just for being there. Nothing else needed . just to walk along side on a lead.<br> basic dog training can achieve this and does not make it any un hygenic than a trained guide dog.</p> <p>you dont need a Id card saying the dog is a guide dog.<br> If you can only enter that shop with the help of your dog then you have the right to have your dog with you.<br> im not saying let evreyone in shops with dogs . just those with a diagnoses of a medical nature that have been shown to be able to get support from a dog.<br> .<br> i have in the past few months taken our dog in shops on a harness with my son and have not been approached once.<br> most people have the sense to realise that no one would take a dog in a shop if it was not a support dog even if the person with the dog is not blind.<br> people are not as igorant in the uk as most would have us think.<br> a good high visabilty dog harness and a well behaved dog and all goes well.<br> its not ideal but it works.<br> as far i know it would discrimation to ban me and my son and our dog from any shop.</p> <p>if anyone else knows differentplease feel to comment and if you feel that something should be set up to<br> make sure people with autism have access to support dogs please lobby your local Mp and MEP.</p> <p>you can write to them here<br> <a href="http://www.writetothem.com/">http://www.writetothem.com/</a></p> <p>if your in the usa these links will be of help.<br> <a href="http://www.4pawsforability.org/alldogs.html">http://www.4pawsforability.org/alldogs.html</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.northstardogs.com/index.html">http://www.northstardogs.com/index.html</a></p> <p>This link takes you to new dog law in Uk.<br> only some local councils enforce some of the rules.<br> <a href="http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/information/atozofdogs/d/dogcontrolorders/?ciid=255863">http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/information/atozofdogs/d/dogcontrolorders/?ciid=255863</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2008/01/12/reply_to_p_visitor_on_support_dogs~3567938/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-12-31:/2007/12/31/asd_video_glossary~3509841/runninggoose2007-12-31T08:49:29+01:002007-12-31T08:49:29+01:00 <p>I have come across a great Autism spectrum disorder Video Glossary </p> <p>You have to register first but it's simple although it requires your email and name.</p> <p>This glossary contains over a hundred video clips and is available to you free of charge. Whether you are a parent, family member, friend, physician, clinician, childcare provider, or educator, it can help you see the subtle differences between typical and delayed development in young children and spot the early red flags for ASD. All of the children featured in the ASD Video Glossary as having red flags for ASD are, in fact, diagnosed with ASD.</p> <p>The LInk Is <a href="http://www.autismspeaks.org/video/glossary.php">http://www.autismspeaks.org/video/glossary.php</a><br> Norton flags the site as Safe so dont worry about spyware etc. </p> <p>Click here <a href="http://www.autismspeaks.org/video/glossary.php">FOR ASD GLOSSARY</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/12/31/asd_video_glossary~3509841/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-12-31:/2007/12/31/happy_new_year~3509801/runninggoose2007-12-31T08:26:26+01:002007-12-31T08:32:50+01:00 <p><img src="http://foxtrotters.tripod.com/hapny2.gif" alt="" title=""></p> <p>Happy New Year Everyone..</p> <p>Here's wishing everyone a fantastic Happy NEW YEAR ....</p> <p>Will be up and Running to start writing again Soon.</p> <p>Best Wishes All<br> Robin </p> <p><img src="http://foxtrotters.tripod.com/xmas_globe.gif" alt="" title=""> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/12/31/happy_new_year~3509801/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-11-07:/2007/11/07/title~3259166/runninggoose2007-11-07T13:21:46+01:002007-11-07T13:22:31+01:00 <p><a href="http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=824&a=14717"><img src="http://www.nas.org.uk/content/1/c6/01/47/38/think-differently-banner.gif" alt="click here" title=""></a></p> <p>PLEASE JOIN THE NEW AUTISM CAMPAIGN.</p> <p>READ ALL ABOUT IT BY CLICKING THE BANNER ABOVE.</p> <p>THANKS </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/11/07/title~3259166/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-08-29:/2007/08/29/reply_to_lisa_on_support_dogs_for_autism~2889953/runninggoose2007-08-29T15:19:42+02:002007-09-10T17:26:58+02:00 <p>LISA WROTE.<br> 2007-08-28 @ 21:24<br> hi, my son has severe autism and is nearly 3, how did you get your support dog? is he specially trained? we are considering getting our son a puppy as a comfort and friend but we will have to train him ourselves. do you have any advice?<br> thanks </p> <p> MY Reply ...<br> hello.lisa</p> <p>We brought our dog our selves and in the next few months now its normal dog training is inhand and he responds to our commands we hope to find somewhere that will help him become a true support dog.although that still looks unlikey but there is nothing wrong with getting books and looking on the internet and doing it your self. The main thing is the Love the dog brings with it into your home and how they seem to transform everyone. Just having the dog brings Some support and is kind of most of the support a person with Autism needs from their dog although if the dog had road skills etc this would be great for older children and adults with autism but dogs trained for autistic people are some what very few .But thats where you come in. You and your son can train it too.<br> at the moment he helps Daniel with confidence and is one friend that always listens to him when daniel thinks no one is listening.<br> It has helped him at bed time and meal times and in the car and going places. although as such some shops refuse to let Nugget in. But any dog deamed to be helping a disabled person which Autism counts is deamed to be a support dog so a quick word to who ever is in charge in places where dogs are not normally allowed somtimes works. if not you can quote that the diabled rights law require they let your dog in as it is supporting a disabled person . at present there is No special place a person with Autism can get a support dog like those who are blind .<br> Although i have wrote to MY MEP and Mp about this . You could do the same and mention your situation and also that the mep for the westmidlands and the MP for MERIDEN in solihull have already taken a interest in this,<br> All i can say is' Our Dog really changed Daniel and if getting your son a dog helps him in any way possible then its worth doing. It also means you have another member of your family who you self can turn to as the Dog becomes a member of your family and you will find having the dog is good fun too. Its hard work to begin with when your house training etc but dogs learn quick and if a dog helps as much as Nugget has then you wont regret it. </p> <p>HAS anyone else found out anywhere yet that can help with dogs for people with autism.<br> Training for families with there dog already ?<br> OR dogs trained to help .,?<br> As yet i dont know of anywhere. </p> <p>Please remember if you can write to your local mp or mep to bring this to the attention of the Goverment.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/08/29/reply_to_lisa_on_support_dogs_for_autism~2889953/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-05-31:/2007/05/31/10_things_about_children_with_autism_we_~2365948/runninggoose2007-05-31T10:08:52+02:002007-05-31T10:24:33+02:00 <p>If just a little of the following was known by a lot then autism awareness would take a gaint leap forward.</p> <p>10 things about children with autism we should all know. </p> <p>Body: Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew </p> <p>By Ellen Notbohm<br> South Florida Parenting </p> <p>Some days it seems the only predictable thing about it is the unpredictability. The only consistent attribute, the inconsistency. There is little argument on any level but that autism is baffling, even to those who spend their lives around it. </p> <p>The child who lives with autism may look "normal," but his or her behavior can be perplexing and downright difficult. Today, the citadel of autism, once thought an "incurable" disorder, is cracking around the foundation. Every day, individuals with autism show us they can overcome, compensate for, and otherwise manage many of the condition's most challenging aspects. Equipping those around our children with a simple understanding of autism's most basic elements has a tremendous effect on the children's journey towards productive, independent adulthood. Autism is an extremely complex disorder, but we can distill it to three critical components: sensory processing difficulties, speech/language delays and impairments, and whole child/social interaction issues. </p> <p>Here are 10 things every child with autism wishes you knew. </p> <p>1. I am a child with autism. I am not "autistic." My autism is one aspect of my total character. It does not define me as a person. Are you a person with thoughts, feelings and many talents, or are you just fat (overweight), myopic (wear glasses) or klutzy (uncoordinated, not good at sports)? </p> <p>2. My sensory perceptions are disordered. This means the ordinary sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches of everyday life that you may not even notice can be downright painful for me. The very environment in which I have to live often seems hostile. I may appear withdrawn or belligerent to you, but I am really just trying to defend myself. A "simple" trip to the grocery store may be hell for me. My hearing may be hyperacute. Dozens of people are talking at once. The loudspeaker booms today's special. Muzak whines from the sound system. Cash registers beep and cough. A coffee grinder is chugging. The meat cutter screeches, babies wail, carts creak, the fluorescent lighting hums. My brain can't filter all the input, and I'm in overload! My sense of smell may be highly sensitive. The fish at the meat counter isn't quite fresh, the guy standing next to us hasn't showered today, the deli is handing out sausage samples, the baby in line ahead of us has a poopy diaper, they're<br> mopping up pickles on Aisle 3 with ammonia. ... I can't sort it all out, I'm too nauseous. </p> <p>Because I am visually oriented, this may be my first sense to become overstimulated. The fluorescent light is too bright. It makes the room pulsate and hurts my eyes. Sometimes the pulsating light bounces off everything and distorts what I am seeing. The space seems to be constantly changing. There's glare from windows, moving fans on the ceiling, so many bodies in constant motion, too many items for me to be able to focus - and I may compensate with tunnel vision. All this affects my vestibular sense, and now I can't even tell where my body is in space. I may stumble, bump into things, or simply lay down to try and regroup. </p> <p>3. Please remember to distinguish between won't (I choose not to) and can't (I'm not able to). Receptive and expressive language are both difficult for me. It isn't that I don't listen to instructions. It's that I can't understand you. When you call to me from across the room, this is what I hear: "*&^%$#@, Billy. #$%^*&^%$&*" Instead, come speak directly to me in plain words: "Please put your book in your desk, Billy. It's time to go to lunch." This tells me what you want me to do and what is going to happen next. Now it's much easier for me to comply. </p> <p>4. I am a concrete thinker. I interpret language literally. It's very confusing for me when you say, "Hold your horses, cowboy!" when what you really mean is "Please stop running." Don't tell me something is a "piece of cake" when there is no dessert in sight and what you really mean is, "This will be easy for you to do." When you say, "It's pouring cats and dogs," I see pets coming out of a pitcher. Please just tell me, "It's raining very hard." Idioms, puns, nuances, double entendres and sarcasm are lost on me. </p> <p>5. Be patient with my limited vocabulary. It's hard for me to tell you what I need when I don't know the words to describe my feelings. I may be hungry, frustrated, frightened or confused, but right now those words are beyond my ability to express. Be alert for body language, withdrawal, agitation, or other signs that something is wrong. </p> <p>There's a flip side to this: I may sound like a little professor or a movie star, rattling off words or whole scripts well beyond my developmental age. These are messages I have memorized from the world around me to compensate for my language deficits, because I know I am expected to respond when spoken to. They may come from books, television or the speech of other people. It's called echolalia. I don't necessarily understand the context or the terminology I'm using, I just know it gets me off the hook for coming up with a reply. </p> <p>6. Because language is so difficult for me, I am very visually oriented. Show me how to do something rather than just telling me. And please be prepared to show me many times. Lots of patient repetition helps me learn. </p> <p>A visual schedule is extremely helpful as I move through my day. Like your day planner, it relieves me of the stress of having to remember what comes next, makes for smooth transitions between activities, and helps me manage my time and meet your expectations. </p> <p>7. Focus and build on what I can do rather than what I can't do. Like any other human, I can't learn in an environment where I'm constantly made to feel that I'm not good enough or that I need fixing. Trying anything new when I am almost sure to be met with criticism, however constructive, becomes something to be avoided. Look for my strengths and you'll find them. There's more than one right way to do most things. </p> <p>8. Help me with social interactions. It may look like I don't want to play with the other kids on the playground, but sometimes it's just that I simply don't know how to start a conversation or enter a play situation. If you can encourage other children to invite me to join them at kickball or shooting baskets, I may be delighted to be included. </p> <p>9. Try to identify what triggers my meltdowns. This is termed "the antecedent." Meltdowns, blowups, tantrums or whatever you want to call them are even more horrid for me than they are for you. They occur because one or more of my senses has gone into overload. If you can figure out why my meltdowns occur, they can be prevented. </p> <p>10. If you are a family member, please love me unconditionally. Banish thoughts such as, "If he would just ..." and "Why can't she ... ?" You didn't fulfill every last expectation your parents had for you, and you wouldn't like being constantly reminded of it. I didn't choose to have autism. Remember that it's happening to me, not you. Without your support, my chances of successful, self-reliant adulthood are slim. With your support and guidance, the possibilities are broader than you might think. I promise you I'm worth it. </p> <p>It all comes down to three words: Patience. Patience. Patience. </p> <p>Work to view my autism as a different ability rather than a disability. Look past what you may see as limitations and see the gifts autism has given me. I may not be good at eye contact or conversation, but have you noticed I don't lie, cheat at games, tattle on my classmates, or pass judgment on other people? </p> <p>You are my foundation. Think through some of those societal rules, and if they don't make sense for me, let them go. Be my advocate, be my friend, and we'll see just how far I can go. </p> <p>I probably won't be the next Michael Jordan, but with my attention to fine detail and capacity for extraordinary focus, I might be the next Einstein. Or Mozart. Or Van Gogh. </p> <p>They had autism too. </p> <p>Freelance writer and consultant Ellen Notbohm is a columnist for Autism/Asperger's Digest and co-author of 1001 Great Ideas for Teaching and Raising Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders (Future Horizons). She favors "common sense" approaches to raising her sons with autism and AD/HD. She lives in Oregon </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/05/31/10_things_about_children_with_autism_we_~2365948/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-05-29:/2007/05/29/get_more_miles_out_of_life~2353212/runninggoose2007-05-29T10:33:08+02:002007-05-30T12:57:56+02:00 <p>What a great way to get or keep fit while raising money and having fun too.<br> The Nas Get miles more out life website could help you find a way to getting fit or staying fit while helping raise much needed money<br> for the The NAS,<br> Its not too late to join in this year or see whats going on next year</p> <p><a href="http://www.getmilesmore.org.uk/news_details.php?id=27">CLICK HERE NOW </a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/05/29/get_more_miles_out_of_life~2353212/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-05-26:/2007/05/26/money_miles_jokers_kings_and_stamps~2336475/runninggoose2007-05-26T09:38:56+02:002007-05-26T09:43:14+02:00 <p>well after getting used to getting up at 5.30 am every morning i woke up at the same time<br> and decided to get up any way as my nieghbour was banging anyway.<br> its a very safe bet to say it because of me and Daniel having to get ready early every morning for school.<br> Well he completed every day at his new school so far and now its half term.<br> Its not all gone smoothly for Daniel as he has showed them his autistic ways.<br> The head is going to work with us and see where we can help Daniel in the areas he needs support and guideance.<br> They have another 47 children with autism as well as Daniel and it seems they understand .<br> Its early Days yet so we will have to wait to see how things go.<br> The LEA are giving me grief over transport.<br> Daniel dislikes be to close to other people and wont travel except in my car with just him in the back or<br> with Nugget his dog.<br> Anyway there was NO room on the transport to begin with to travel the 330 miles a week to and from school but now there is.<br> Daniels got into the routine of me taking him and thats that.<br> If you know how rigid some one is with their routines and thought patterns who has autism then you will<br> know its completely out the question to change things that will effect them.<br> Well of course i am entitled to claim costs for taking him my self which is a lot less than they would<br> pay to take him on their transport.<br> plus have you seen the way some of these taxi drivers drive.<br> Im not sitting at home wondering if he got there safe .<br> Anyway they sent a school wellfare officer out to sort it out.<br> i just said you either pay or he dont go.<br> i said you cant just change things to suit your selves when it does.<br> Well apparently they have to make sure there moneys being spent right.<br> Bit of a cheek since he has been on time every time and not missed a day since starting.<br> there worried incase they pay me and he misses a day.<br> i said in that case you either ask for it back or take it off the next milage claim form.<br> Anyway its a matter of waiting now.<br> It's not my fault that solihull wont build a school for the hundreds of autistic pupils they send<br> over the border to other counties to school.<br> well it seems there is all ways a battle in this on going war.<br> But my defenses are in place yet again to stop them treating us like idiots.<br> This is in no way to do with the school as thats in another county this is to do with my LEA trying to save money again .<br> They would have us on a tamdem if they could .<br> It costs more by taxi any way. you tell me what taxi only gets 30p a mile. its £ 3 or more before you sit down.<br> plus the LEA ruduced the correct milage from 70 miles a day to 64 miles a day. they must think i take a short cut across<br> the fields and park a mile away from the school because i just love walking across busy roads with my son.<br> NOT TO MENTION THE WEAR AND TEAR ON MY 10 YEAR OLD CAR.<br> PLUS my insurance company want more money going to and from school puts up my milage allowance by thousands and thousands of miles a year .<br> And they want to know if there 30p a mile is going to used right.so they can balance their books.<br> When MP'S run up thousands of pounds every year in expenses as do council members.<br> its nothing short than a joke.<br> It cost me £15 more a week on top of what the skin flints gave me for the last 5 weeks and now they moaning about it.<br> Has any one else had this problem with their L E A.<br> Anyway they saved thousands and thousands and thousands of pounds for about 6 years while they left my son to rot in a mainstream school with no help.<br> Bastards.<br> Its stinks.<br> They always find a way of stamping on you. Dont THEY.<br> They could always get the council to rehouse us near to the school from this place they call a home.<br> still waiting to here about whats happening about my sons adaptions . there not pulling this place down for 3 years but they wont play ball because of that.<br> what can i say but stamped on again.<br> MONEY IS KING of the pack and were treated like JOKERS.<br> Although i see or hear no laughter.</p> <p>hope this finds you all well.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/05/26/money_miles_jokers_kings_and_stamps~2336475/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-05-12:/2007/05/12/little_maddy_poster_campaign~2257557/runninggoose2007-05-12T16:39:35+02:002007-05-12T16:39:35+02:00 <p><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/441/1573441_2f332e80d2_m.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>Has many of you will know Madeleine McCann was snatched from her bed while on holiday with her parents.</p> <p>If you have any information about her where abouts<br> please CONTANT CRIME STOPPERS ON<br> 0 8 0 0 5 5 5 1 1 1</p> <p>Please Help Return Maddy To her Parents </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/05/12/little_maddy_poster_campaign~2257557/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-04-12:/2007/04/12/in_between_and_holidays~2077372/runninggoose2007-04-12T11:32:46+02:002007-04-12T11:32:46+02:00 <p>hello eveyone.<br> what with daniel between schools and now the holidays until he starts his new school on the 16th april i have not had time to write anything.<br> but i will be back soon.<br> off to take daniel to look at the planes at birmingham airport later then its back to take nugget dog for a walk.<br> its been fairly warm for april so far so been outside a lot before the dreaded flies and bees appear more in greater numbers as daniel has phobia's of any flying insect. maybe the dog will distract him from worrying we will have to wait and see.<br> well here's hoping everyone is well.<br> bye for now<br> robin<br> x </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/04/12/in_between_and_holidays~2077372/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-04-12:/2007/04/12/in_between_and_holidays~2077370/runninggoose2007-04-12T11:32:44+02:002007-04-12T11:32:44+02:00 <p>hello eveyone.<br> what with daniel between schools and now the holidays until he starts his new school on the 16th april i have not had time to write anything.<br> but i will be back soon.<br> off to take daniel to look at the planes at birmingham airport later then its back to take nugget dog for a walk.<br> its been fairly warm for april so far so been outside a lot before the dreaded flies and bees appear more in greater numbers as daniel has phobia's of any flying insect. maybe the dog will distract him from worrying we will have to wait and see.<br> well here's hoping everyone is well.<br> bye for now<br> robin<br> x </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/04/12/in_between_and_holidays~2077370/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-03-27:/2007/03/27/race_for_life~1984180/runninggoose2007-03-27T11:56:40+02:002007-03-27T11:56:40+02:00 <p>some friends of mine are in need of help in raising their target amount for the race for life run.<br> anyone with with a few pence spare can donate to help them reach their target from their race for life page.<br> its all above board and its for such a Good cause.<br> Go on you know you want to .</p> <p><a href="http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/clare5">http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/clare5</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/03/27/race_for_life~1984180/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-03-21:/2007/03/21/good_news_and_i_get_more_peace_sitting_u~1948154/runninggoose2007-03-21T18:44:04+01:002007-03-21T18:44:04+01:00 <p>Good news .<br> Daniel's new school placement starts in April after easter holidays.<br> They break up a week earlier than his present school so<br> i will keep him off now until the new placement starts.<br> His present school were not too pleased but Daniel is.<br> Me and Daniel went shopping today and i decided to tell the<br> man in the boots chemist that Daniel did not tolerate long<br> waits as they said it could take 20 minutes.<br> I was most surprised as they done the prescription straight away.<br> Great stuff . must try that again although we got<br> some evil looking stares from the few people waiting<br> . but were used to them anyway.<br> Went to wilkinsons to buy some shampoo and kitchen roll<br> and some garden bits and pieces and just by chance the same person<br> was behind us from boots and a bar code was missing on<br> some plastic plant pots.<br> which ment they had to wait again while it took 5 mins for<br> the price to be found. Daniel did quote the price as he<br> remembers things like that but we still had to wait with<br> the thought of everyone behind burning there annoyed looks<br> into our backs but Daniel being Daniel asked me what there<br> faces were for. I did not know what to say so i just nodded<br> as daniel said "there the same people who we pushed in front of<br> in Boots". i was trying not to grin while carefully thinking of<br> a answer to Daniel's question that would not offend anyone.<br> when i was saved by the shop assisant arriving with the price.<br> Just as we left the checkout the people behind said "about time".<br> Daniel said really loud after turning round to face them "What About Time".<br> They went bright red in the face.<br> I just kept walking and Daniel followed.<br> Enough shopping for one day i thought.<br> Well got home and now all i can hear is the bloody nieghbour banging<br> again. bang bang all day every day for months and months.<br> where's all the lightening strikes when you need one.<br> I am off outside now to sweep the path as its quieter outside<br> even with the roar of passing jet planes taking off from the airport.<br> Hope this finds everyone well.<br> bye. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/03/21/good_news_and_i_get_more_peace_sitting_u~1948154/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-03-18:/2007/03/18/back_from_the_bug_but_fighting_cowboys~1926376/runninggoose2007-03-18T14:36:30+01:002007-03-18T14:40:33+01:00 <p>Well i'm back from the toilet at last its only been a week</p> <p>Should find out this week if the school Daniel<br> had a week assessment at have offered him a place.<br> i'm hoping it's good news because he enjoyed it so much.<br> We stopped sending him to his present school at the moment after he<br> came out destroyed and quite distressed last tuesday.<br> And if they cant stretch him there whats the point in<br> making him feeling even more depressed.<br> Plus maybe the LEA will work that little bit faster.<br> Well i finally met with the council as well over an adaption i need for<br> Daniel.<br> Well although the OT say he needs it the local council wont spend the<br> money because my home is being pulled down in a few years.<br> It took a whole year for the council to tell me this.<br> And they even lost the paper work at one point.<br> Anyway i have contacted a few other people and now i am playing the waiting<br> game again.<br> Its not Daniel's fault there pulling this place down.<br> They keep changing the dates they want pull it down.<br> It should have been done this year but it seems they can keep<br> you in suspense.<br> On the councils web site it says so much but they do so little.<br> The school keep ringing as well. they were told the reasons why<br> were not sending him until his placement and they still rang asking why he was not there.<br> My wife went into great detail with them and still they ring every morning.<br> Would you risk your childs mental health with people who<br> seem to think they know better than experts.<br> I suppose as well the neighbour i have who insists<br> on banging at all hours waking us all up every morning<br> including weekends is making us all feel worse.<br> Its really stinks that some one can get away with it.<br> I am not saying were quiet as anyone with a child who has Autism and ADHD<br> can tell you outbursts do happen. But when your kept awake by banging until<br> 2am every morning for 2 years and woken up again 4 hours later by banging<br> something has got to give.<br> Daniel is sensitive to noise where i am not and its making me irritated so it's no<br> wonder Daniel feels like crap every morning.<br> No the bloody school dont think of things on top of his Autism and ADHD .<br> But then it's the same old cowboy run council so what can i expect.<br> I was told once the noise cant be delt with and to turn the TV up.<br> who the hell wants to turn their TV up at 2am and 6 am. my bloody<br> Tv is turned off at them times.<br> The cowboys always have an answer.<br> Soon if he goes to the other school out side the area i will get 3 hours sleep<br> if the noise carries on as i will have to get up earlier to get him there on time.<br> This noise is not normal and its not right.<br> When i do sleep i dream the banging is the sound of war and then i wake up.<br> its always in my bloody ears.<br> I brought a new guitar and i am going to learn to play it.<br> perhaps that will get these un caring no thought for any one else gits back.<br> And i going to buy Daniel one on monday.<br> Now i am not one for malice but i do sit there asking God to send a lightening bolt<br> to shut them up.<br> I have enough going on without selfish gits ruining what sleep i do get.<br> Even the dog is fed up of it.<br> Yesterday they woke me up at 5.54am and the banging never stopped until 8.55am when<br> they went out.<br> The only trouble was the gits came back 15 minutes later. why couldn't they stay<br> out longer.<br> This morning was the same. only they stayed out only 10 minutes after banging the door shut<br> like it was a huge wooden moat door off a bleeding castle and it sounded like<br> they had a legion of men on horse back . The big footed heavy stomping Ba*Tards.<br> I wish i had got up now at 2.am and put the Grand prix on loud. well i was told to turn the TV up.<br> But i never.<br> But people tell me whats good for the GOOSE is good for the Gander so i might strike back.<br> Hope this finds you all well<br> from a Snowy and windy part of solihull</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/03/18/back_from_the_bug_but_fighting_cowboys~1926376/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-03-07:/2007/03/07/stomach_bugs_about_done_me_in~1863936/runninggoose2007-03-07T18:00:51+01:002007-03-07T18:00:51+01:00 <p>hello everyone.<br> seems i got the dreaded stomach bug that is going around.<br> putting it mildly about half my weight has been flushed down<br> the toilet.<br> Well almost.<br> along with half a forest worth of andrex bog roll.<br> so here hoping everyone else has stayed free of this dreaded<br> bug that apparently came from school.<br> speak later everyone.<br> I'm off to fill my hot water bottle to shove on my belly.<br> hope this finds you all well . </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/03/07/stomach_bugs_about_done_me_in~1863936/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-02-13:/2007/02/14/another_short_video_i_did_to_further_peo~1737026/runninggoose2007-02-14T00:51:49+01:002007-02-14T00:51:49+01:00 <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/02/14/another_short_video_i_did_to_further_peo~1737026/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-02-03:/2007/02/03/naming_and_shaming_solihull_council~1673800/runninggoose2007-02-03T15:04:07+01:002007-02-03T15:04:07+01:00 <p>I want to name and shame solihull council in the west midlands .<br> I have been trying to get an adaption for my son that was reccommended<br> by my sons occupational therapist and doctors about a year ago .</p> <p>The local council rang and said they were very sorry<br> but they had some how lost a years worth of doctors letters and specialist letters.<br> and 3 medical forms and lots of other paper work i had sent them over the last year.</p> <p>They asked could i re send it all as the medical panel sits on the 9th feb.</p> <p>what the hell.</p> <p>Has anyone else had trouble getting adaptions or had their council<br> lose things at the last minute.</p> <p>if you have name and shame them here.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/02/03/naming_and_shaming_solihull_council~1673800/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-02-03:/2007/02/03/old_post_that_i_brought_forward~1673751/runninggoose2007-02-03T14:52:53+01:002007-02-03T14:52:53+01:00 <p>Archives for: April 2006<br> Poem i wrote for asd support group<br> by runninggoose @ 28.04.2006 - 17:30:21 </p> <p>Its early morning not a sound is heard<br> Its been an hour since our autistic son has stirred<br> Three in a bed made for two<br> Were mostly awake and worn out too.</p> <p>Out of bed to get things done<br> Hoping we dont disturb our son<br> Getting a wash without worry<br> Quick hes up time to hurry</p> <p>Good morning son how are you<br> Im ok whats wrong with you<br> Were just tired from last night<br> Our eyes all blurred from sunlight</p> <p>Time for his daily shower<br> Lets hope it dont take an hour<br> Time to dress , time for stress<br> Little time to take a rest</p> <p>Feel tired from previous years<br> Time to speed up through our gears<br> Its off to school to see the faces<br> Of other parents with strange gazes</p> <p>Kiss goodbye the bell has gone<br> Wave goodbye to our precious son<br> Wait for teachers to ring and moan<br> Im sure in this were not alone</p> <p>At last its time to go to school<br> And get told he has not followed some rule<br> Its friday now time for praise<br> Our son has made it through 5 more school days</p> <p>Its the end of the week<br> Our sons love is ours to keep<br> He may be different it may be tough<br> But hes our son and he belongs to us. </p> <p>was just reading through my old posts and had forgot about this..</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/02/03/old_post_that_i_brought_forward~1673751/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-02-01:/2007/02/01/yes_an_autistic_boy_on_report_for_showin~1665153/runninggoose2007-02-01T22:01:35+01:002007-02-01T22:10:30+01:00 <p>I was driving home after picking up my son when he started<br> crying in a way i had never seen before.<br> My mobile phone rang so i pulled onto the halfords car park that<br> i was passing and it was my wife.<br> The school had rang and told her that Daniel had used sentences<br> that i wont repeat on this blog.<br> Now i first thoughts were can it be true.<br> I mean Daniel goes to school then comes home. he has no contact with anyone<br> a part from us.<br> So i drove back to school to find out what had gone on.<br> on arrival ( i still had Daniel with me) i asked to see the head of year who<br> had made the phone call.<br> I was told to wait and was then greeted by them.<br> I was taken to a room with a low table and had to sit little low chairs.<br> Now i may have looked like a kid sitting there but i was not going to be treated like one.<br> I knew from past experience it would difficult to get a word in.<br> Anyway after explaining why i was there and just in case my wife had by any chance<br> raised her voice on the phone ( she had not)thought i would just say " my wife has a lot going<br> on at the moment she is due her a revision on her hip replacement she had 20 years ago and i would<br> just like say that if she raised her voice it was due to all whats going on .<br> but i never got the chance to finish.<br> The head of the year starting ranting getting louder and louder that other people have the same<br> problems and then really laid into me.<br> I looked back and asked her why she was shouting. my son had broke down holding his ears<br> and had to be taken out the room crying.<br> She told me i was going on and on. I had hardly said a word a part from my apology in case<br> my wife had raised her voice on phone.<br> I just said look the reason i was telling you about my wifes diabetes (she takes insulin injections<br> twice a day) although i never told the head this . i just said my wife has diabetes,<br> rheumatiod arthritis, is awaiting two operations and all i wanted to say im sorry if my wife raised her<br> voice but she has a lot on her plate .<br> just incase she had because its hard to stay calm when your being<br> spoken to on the phone as if your 6 years old.<br> Oh she said.<br> anyway another teacher arrived and started shouting at me.<br> no in fact they were at what i would call just below the shouting threshold about 1 decibel below.<br> both of them firing away on What had happened at the same time.<br> would make a good youtube video voice over. who knows...<br> i would say its a sacking offence to shout at a parent that way.<br> they told me they knew how to deal with him because of the thousands of autistic<br> kids they had dealt with. Only two thats including Daniel are in his year.<br> I said wow but surley you know no two people with autism are a like.<br> The reply to me was. we have children too. were parents we know how to deal with it.<br> i said so your children are autistic then.Which their children are of course not autistic.<br> i was told that i should not bring there children into it and they would not comment on their kids.<br> i said i did not you did, you brought them in to it not me.Comparing again i said.<br> they started to calm down and the voices lowered. i decided that theres no way of reasoning with them. so i will just go along as best as i could with out wanting to jump off the post office tower.<br> a few comments were made about they know how hard it is and how well a job i am doing<br> with Daniel etc.<br> They could never know.<br> i thought to myself the following<br> (its fun. fantastic.tiring,hard,brilliant. out of this world.<br> Daniels not the problem its people who lack awareness.<br> . plus God chose me and my wife. )<br> anyway back to meeting..<br> THey told me they wanted the best for him thats why they had to challenge him.<br> i explained that's not the way you deal with autism. But they told me<br> it had to be done so he could get on in the big wide world.<br> he is only 11 .<br> I told them its my job to make sure he is happy and that there making him feel like dieing.<br> But it seems that other peoples feelings who Daniel does not understand are more<br> important than Daniel being happy and so Daniel feels like hurting him self or worse.<br> The greatest thing of all it was the word of other children in this instance who have been friends for years<br> against Daniels.<br> I cant see where at home he would have heard these words . They said may be on the bus or out playing.<br> I told them he dont use buses and he dont play out side.<br> I said i am most shocked that he has learnt these words in your school.<br> They brought up that he had used the word bitch at his mainstream school.<br> I said you dont know what happened there ,how dare you bring that up.<br> He was bullied because he was different and used a word he had heard other children use.<br> Something that had happened again by the sound of it i said.<br> Anyway I think they want Daniel to act like their own children.<br> Its never going to happen and the more they force rules they think he should follow down<br> his throat the more they will get a reaction.<br> The main rules of dealing with children with autism and by far not exhaustive<br> to help Daniel and Avoid stress and invoke understanding are </p> <p>Do not talk ‘down’ to him ,<br> DONT RAISE YOUR VOICE> I KNOW THIS HAPPENS I HAVE WITNESSED IT<br> but do check he understands what he has to do.<br> Don’t assume he understands just because he can<br> repeat back the instruction you have just given.<br> Dont assume he should know just because he did before.<br> Dont use instructions with several actions.<br> • He Often becomes a potential or actual target for teasing<br> and bullying because of how he appears and reacts to other pupils? Act aggressively<br> as a result of bullying?<br> • Find unstructured social time difficult to use appropriately<br> – for example, sits on his own at lunchtime or tries to<br> join in games unsuccessfully at playtime?<br> • Show a poor awareness of others and how they may be affected<br> by his behaviour – for example, contradicting or non-compliant to teachers, not sharing or<br> allowing other children to join in his games,<br> making inappropriate comments in class, talking too loudly, over-reacting to losing?<br> • Find changes to his routine quite difficult to cope with<br> – for example getting annoyed if he has a supply teacher<br> or has to move classroom. Is he quite concerned if things don’t happen in a set order?<br> • Find group activities difficult, for example, because he<br> has poor social skills or because he wants everything to be<br> done his way?<br> • Often appear quite anxious in busy, noisy social situations, for<br> example dining halls or during PE?<br> • Have body language that makes him stand out, for example,<br> holds him self awkwardly, lacks spontaneity in gestures and<br> displays limited or unusual facial expressions?<br> • Have a voice tone that is unlike those of his peers?<br> • Communicate using words and phrases that are unlike those of his<br> peers?<br> • Exhibit behaviours or interests that make him stand out<br> from the other children in the class?</p> <p>This does not mean he is being NAUGHTY,</p> <p>NOW AFTER GOING THROUGH WHAT THEY TOLD ME IN YESTERDAYS MEETING ITS PLAIN<br> THEY WANT DANIEL TO FOLLOW RULES THAT HE CANT REMEMBER DUE TO HIS AUTISM.<br> THEY WANT TO CHANGE HIM SO HE FITS INTO THE WORLD.<br> THEY TOLD ME HE NEEDS TO .<br> I LISTENED TO THEM AS THEY SHOUTED AND SPOKE THEIR VIEWS.<br> YES I THOUGHT IF ONLY.<br> IF DANIEL COULD DO WHAT THEY WANT HIM TOo THEN HE SURLEY WOULD NOT HAVE AUTISM.<br> MY FEELINGS ARE THAT NO ONE CAN EXPECT SOMEONE WITH AUTISM TO CHANGE.<br> ITS NOT POSSIBLE JUST LIKE ITS NOT POSSIBLE TO CHANGE THE WORLD TO BE COMPLETELY AUTISTIC AWARE.<br> I CANT FOR THE LIFE ME GET IT OVER TO THESE TEACHERS THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BE COMPARING HIM TO<br> NON AUTISTIC CHILDREN OR AUTISTIC CHILDREN.<br> THEY NEVER LET YOU FINISH A SENTENCE.<br> I KNOW THEY HAVE A JOB TO DO BUT IT BOILS DOWN TO THE PLUMBER DOING THE ELECTRICIANS JOB AGAIN.<br> IN ALL DUE RESPECT I HAVE ALWAYS LISTENED TO THEM BUT THEY NEVER LISTEN TO ME.<br> I TOLD THEM HOW TO PROCEED WITH DANIEL when they asked but seems no notice was taken. BUT WHEN THEIR SYSTEM CAUSES HIM<br> TO EXPLODE AND FEEL LIKE KILLING HIM SELFS THEY SAY HE HAS TO REALISE OTHER PEOPLE<br> FEELINGS AND THEY SAY THEY KNOW HE KNOWS AND THEY KNOW HE UNDERSTANDS AND ETC ETC ETC.<br> i AM NOT SAYING AUTISTIC POEPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET AWAY WITH EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING.<br> I AM SIMPLY ASKING THAT school FOLLOW THE BASIC RULES THAT ARE USED BY MANY AUTISM SPECIFIC<br> SCHOOLS. NOT THE ONES THEY USE IN A SCHOOL WHICH IS FIRSTY FOR BEHAVUOIR PROBLEMS.<br> THE COCK UP OF THEM SENDING HIM TO THIS SCHOOL TO SAVE MONEY HAS BACK FIRED BUT ITS DANIEL THAT WILL SUFFER.<br> THEY CAN GO HOME AT NIGHT TO THEIR PERFECT KIDS WHILE MY SON COMES HOME TO US AND FEELS LIKE KILLING<br> HIMSELF BECAUSE THEY ARE FORCING THINGS ON HIM THAT ANYONE WHO HAS AUTISM KNOWS IS TERRIFYING AND<br> THE TEACHERS JUST CANT SEE IT.<br> THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAVE CHANGED DANIEL.<br> DANIEL AT LEAST GETS SOME RESPITE FROM ALL THIS WHEN WITH HIS NEW PUPPY NUGGET.<br> THEY EVEN BROUGHT HIS DOG INTO IT BY ASKING DANIEL WHAT HIS DOG WOULD THINK.<br> THEY TOLD DANIEL IT WOULD BE ON HIS SCHOOL RECORD. DANIEL IS BEING EMMOTIONALLY SCARRED<br> AND THEY THINK ITS HELPING HIM TO GO OUT IN THE BIG WIDE WORLD.<br> DANIEL STILL SAYS HE NEVER SAID THE THINGS I WAS TOLD WHICH PROMPTED MY VISIT TO SCHOOL YESTERDAY<br> AND ITS ALL BASED ON<br> OTHER CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FOR MANY YEARS.<br> MY SON ROCKED AND CRIED AND HURT HIS HEAD FRETTING .<br> I BELIEVE IF HE DID SAY IT HE JUST COPIED IT AS HE OFTEN DOES.<br> HE NEVER JUST CAME OUT WITH IT LIKE THEY THINK.<br> PLUS THE TEACHER STATED DANIEL WAS TRIPPED. BY THE PERSON WHO TOLD THEM.<br> I HAVE NEVER HEARD DANIEL SAY ANYTHING LIKE WHAT WAS SAID AND I KNOW DANIEL THRIVES ON FACT<br> NOT FICTION AND IS HONEST TO THE POINT OF BEING RUDE.<br> DO I BELIEVE HIM.<br> YOU BET.<br> THAT SCHOOL NEEDS TO STOP THINKING ABOUT OFSTED REPORTS AND MORE ABOUT HOW THE CHILDREN FEEL.<br> SEVERAL CHILDREN HAVE GOT DEPRESSION SINCE GOING .<br> DO I THINK DANIEL NEEDS TO WORRY ABOUT CHANGING.<br> NO.<br> EVERYTHING DEVELOPES AT A SLOW STEADY PACE WITH DANIEL.<br> FORCING THE ISSUES JUST HOLDS THINGS UP.<br> IF THEY READ THIS AT SCHOOL THEY MAY THINK THEY KNOW BEST.<br> BUT I DONT EVEN KNOW EVERYTHING AND I LIVE WITH AUTISM 24/7.<br> PLUS THEY WANT HIM TO FOLLOW THESE NEW RULES.<br> 1. THINK BEFORE HE SPEAKS<br> 2. TO SPEAK APPROPRIATLY TO EVERYONE<br> 3. TO PUT HIS HAND UP BEFORE HE SPEAKS.<br> SOUNDS EASY DOES IT NOT.<br> THE ADDED PRESSURE OF THIS MAKES IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO COPE AS HE IS CONSTANTLY<br> WORRIED HE WILL FAIL.<br> IF HE DOES HE STAYS ON REPORT.</p> <p>YES AN AUTISTIC BOY ON REPORT FOR SHOWING AUTISTIC BEHAVIOUR.</p> <p>IT REALLY STINKS...........................................<br> THEIR IDEAS ARE WRONG WRONG WRONG .<br> STOP TRYING TO CURE HIM.<br> YOU CANT.<br> YOU NOT DOCTORS.<br> YOUR TEACHERS.. WITH A FEW HOURS TRAINING ON BEHAVIOUR .<br> I DONT EVEN KNOW IF THE DAMN SCHOOL HAS A AUTISM OUT REACH WORKER.<br> DAMN IT TO HIGH HEAVEN AND BACK.<br> WHY OH WHY CANT THEY JUST ACCEPT HE HAS AUTISM.</p> <p>GOT PHONE CALL ON ANSWER PHONE from the LEA WHEN I GOT IN.<br> THERE IS NEWS OF A SCHOOL PLACEMENT FOR HIM.<br> NOT SURE WHERE.<br> I WILL RING THEM TOMORROW.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/02/01/yes_an_autistic_boy_on_report_for_showin~1665153/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-01-31:/2007/01/31/news_on_nugget_and_daniel~1655516/runninggoose2007-01-31T10:46:34+01:002007-01-31T10:46:34+01:00 <p>Well nuggets made a huge difference to all our lifes.<br> I cant explain but Daniel's been so alive.Daniel<br> gets things he has to do like getting dressed quicker<br> and has started to enjoy life in the garden.<br> Nugget was 5 months old when we got him and he has been<br> fantastic on the house training side of things.<br> only a few accidents and that was the second day.<br> he tells us now when he needs toilet. Nugget has settled<br> in to be part of the family very well.<br> He has taken a like-ing to the garden pots and nibbled on<br> just about everything he can get too.<br> The amazing thing is he has not chewed one thing in-side apart<br> from his bones and dog toys.<br> He loves chasing his tail something Daniel thinks is very funny.<br> He really is the best dog in the world.<br> Nugget misses Daniel while he is at school and gives Daniel<br> big licks and kisses when he arrives home.<br> Nugget is very gentle.<br> Although its only been 10 days its as if Nugget has always been here.<br> Now If only i could get Nugget to wipe his feet on the way in ><br> thank god for wooden flooring ..haha .</p> <p>hope this finds everyone well.</p> <p>Some news on the school front.<br> have got to take Daniel to visit a school when they break up for the holidays<br> . its in the next county so has different holidays and will be<br> open still.<br> Waiting to hear as well about a panel meeting at another school .<br> Fingers crossed that the school were are visiting with Daniel will be the school he goes too.<br> we have already been there but Daniel has not.And they have asked to meet with Daniel.</p> <p>PLease also see my video below about support dogs for people with Autism.<br> You could write your Mp by email and make a big difference.</p> <p>Thanks</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/01/31/news_on_nugget_and_daniel~1655516/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-01-22:/2007/01/23/heres_a_video_to_help_raise_the_plight_i~1604112/runninggoose2007-01-23T00:42:35+01:002007-01-26T19:13:32+01:00 <p>Please write your Local Mp And ask them to Raise this in Parliment.<br>write now free and easy .<br><a href="http://www.writetothem.com/">www.writetothem.com</a>.</p> <p>as you see nugget who has been with us since saturday has made<br>a huge difference to Daniel.<br>but even if he was a fully trained support Dog having Autism means<br>unlike being blind or disabled he would not be able to go in shops<br>or school where he would be most supportive.<br>its wrong.<br>its time the uk goverment woke up to this and changed things.<br>Autism is a uk registered disabilty so whats going ON........<br>why is there no where to get such a trained dog.<br>no support dog / assistance dog  organizations in the Uk help people with Autism.<br>This must change .  NOW  !!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/01/23/heres_a_video_to_help_raise_the_plight_i~1604112/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:autism.blog.co.uk,2007-01-22:/2007/01/22/daniel_and_nugget~1598712/runninggoose2007-01-22T10:46:09+01:002007-01-22T10:46:09+01:00 <p><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/388/1116388_ece966c6ac_m.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>Well it happened.<br> Nugget has arrived from his old home .<br> He is 5 months 0ld but still very puppy like in his behaviour.<br> He is very gentle and loves Daniel.<br> They made friends straight away and Daniel seems to feel he has a new purpose in life.<br> Nugget likes to sleep alot at the moment and Nuggets calmness seems to be rubbing off on Daniel.<br> Daniel has told us that Nugget is the best the dog in world and after living with nugget since his arrival i agree.<br> Nugget is off to the vets today to make sure he is ok. Daniel is at school and you can guess he wanted to stay at home.<br> So Daniel and Nugget will no doubt spend many years loving and helping each other .</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://autism.blog.co.uk/2007/01/22/daniel_and_nugget~1598712/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>