Another awareness day..

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ScotiaLass

Guru
Location
Middle Earth
Tomorrow is World Autism Awareness Day.

It's a cause close to my heart and if just one more person can understand what Autism is, and how it affects families, then that can only be a good thing.
I have had abuse directed at me and my son, been 'tutted' at, been told to 'control him' and have even been told I'm an awful parent.
He is now 13 and is growing into a fine young, intelligent man, of whom I am very proud.
I am happy to take him anywhere, knowing he is polite and well mannered, even if he does make strange noises or hides under his jacket sometimes due to sensory overload!

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On holiday last year with his new camera!
 
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welsh dragon

Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
Your son looks like a lovely fine young man, and as his mum, you should rightly be proud of him. Dont take any notice of what others may say, or think.
 
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ScotiaLass

ScotiaLass

Guru
Location
Middle Earth
I have a cousin with Asperges, he's been subjected to bullying and poor treatment from other people including school teachers for most of his early life, but is now a very creative and productive musician. :thumbsup:
My son was terribly bullied at primary school....high school is much better (they have a special unit) and they come down heavy on any bullying incidents. He is much happier and I can see the change in him :smile:
 
Obviously a very strong and proud mother of a son that has a different view and experience of life than most others.
You've had a tough time but have clearly given him the support and guidance needed to introduce him to his teen years.

Sounds like thanks to your presence as his constant, that he's in a better place to cope with the young adult life that is ahead of him, of which he can tackle better knowing you are there for him when he needs it.

Tony
 
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ScotiaLass

ScotiaLass

Guru
Location
Middle Earth
Obviously a very strong and proud mother of a son that has a different view and experience of life than most others.
You've had a tough time but have clearly given him the support and guidance needed to introduce him to his teen years.

Sounds like thanks to your presence as his constant, that he's in a better place to cope with the young adult life that is ahead of him, of which he can tackle better knowing you are there for him when he needs it.

Tony
Very kind of you to say such lovely things.
It's been hard work but it's all paying off....for the first time last year he actually went to the chip shop to buy his own chips. His sister worked there for a while so he got to know people and could speak to them, albeit without eye contact.
He still can't use public transport on his own as he gets very anxious and disorientated.
But there's not much he can't tell you about the weapons of WW1 and WW2!
Oh and Star Wars :laugh:
 

Dave 123

Legendary Member
A bloke who works with me is autistic. He is sometimes frustrating to work with, and it can be difficult being his boss. From what I know, his family weren't that much help when he was young, and I think his first boss where we work (in the 80's) wasn't at all helpful. Basically he was told to shut up and keep quiet. I have worked with him for 3 years and he seems to be getting better in many ways. We also have a 20yo in the team who is fantastic with him.
You see people giving him "looks" when we're out and about. It can't be easy living his life. He is a very positive person, a wonderful worker and a good cyclist too!
I wouldn't swap him for all the tea in China!
 
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ScotiaLass

ScotiaLass

Guru
Location
Middle Earth
A bloke who works with me is autistic. He is sometimes frustrating to work with, and it can be difficult being his boss. From what I know, his family weren't that much help when he was young, and I think his first boss where we work (in the 80's) wasn't at all helpful. Basically he was told to shut up and keep quiet. I have worked with him for 3 years and he seems to be getting better in many ways. We also have a 20yo in the team who is fantastic with him.
You see people giving him "looks" when we're out and about. It can't be easy living his life. He is a very positive person, a wonderful worker and a good cyclist too!
I wouldn't swap him for all the tea in China!
It must be great for his confidence to have a boss and workmates around that support him.
I can only hope my son finds someone like that when he is ready to work.
 

Hitchington

Lovely stuff
Location
That London
I work as an autism practitioner so today holds great interest for me in raising autism awareness. This is a great little film made by Rosie King a few years ago and she, with other children, very eloquently explains what her autism is like.
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
I watched the documentary last night. One of my lad's mates is autistic. Some of the other kids can be very cruel (they are like that anyway).

My lad plays online on the Xbox with him, and he just knows that he had to be a little more 'patient' with him. They can spend hours building a 'world' on Minecraft, and he may just decide to blow the lot up with TNT, he doesn't think about the impact, so my lad just makes sure there is a 'save' point incase. My son understands him quite well. Or they could be on another game, and he'll suddenly 'kill' another friend just 'because'.

we've met him a few times and know his parents, he is a lovely lad, very polite. You'd not actually know he was autistic as lads of 13 all do silly things.
 

alans

black belt lounge lizard
Location
Staffordshire
My daughter works one-on-one with an autistic primary school boy & has done this work for several years.She appears to have that je ne sais quoi to which he responds.
There have been some tear jerking moments over the years for him,his parents & my daughter.Thankfully the happiness tears are in the majority & as time goes by he gets better,IYSWIM.
 

summerdays

Cycling in the sun
Location
Bristol
I have friends with an autistic child, and they have been through the mill emotionally. I think the teenage years can be difficult, and at the moment they are trying to make their child more prepared for independent living. It's been a real struggle against the system trying to get help even with a statement etc.
 
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