Angels in our Midst

I'm driven to believe today 
that there really are angels in our midst.

Before the days of knowing anything about autism ~ indeed before the days of knowing I needed to know anything about autism ~ I was so intent on trying to fathom why the parenting I continuously tried to improve still wasn't doing the trick that I wouldn't have been aware of an angel if it bit me on the behind, let alone waft me with their wings.

But after an autism diagnosis, despite the turmoil that ensues, angels actually materialise.  Obviously not in the form of diaphanous, winged beings descending from golden skies above ~ even though the sky this morning appeared ideally suited to angel flight ~ no, more in the way some people just are & how that makes you feel.

And I just wanted to pause to acknowledge & give thanks to some 'angels' who've been at my shoulder recently, providing guidance, calm, sanctuary, acceptance & hope in humanity.

Spookily, given the date, their names all begin with 'A'.  Who would have thought?

Mr A

The founding patron of a very special school that has come to our salvation ~ today is the first day of a new chapter; today is the day we really can start to move forward.  Thank you.

Alastair

The IPSEA case worker who so patiently listened, advised & guided us along the process of appeal to secure a more appropriate educational setting for 'one of us'.  
Thank you.

Abraham

The Orthodontist who has waited patiently (for 4 years) until we were ready & able to attend an appointment.  Who then welcomed us & explained very appropriately for his audience what he was doing & what he would be doing at future appointments & why, what very special TLC he would give & why & what he needed in return.
Thank you.  

'A'

Who, for 'others of us' & separate to the challenge above, accompanied me on meetings with SENCOs at local mainstream secondary schools, armed with a long list of questions around how they accommodate children with autism, to help me find the best possible provision.  
Thank you.

Allan

My dad.  Who died when I was 10 years old.  He (or the thought of him) really is an invisible force at my shoulder & I like very much to think that he was keeping a watchful, approving eye from behind those high, golden, puff ball clouds that dotted this morning's bright blue sky as we drove to Mr A's very special school. 
Thank you & I love you, always.

Angels in our midst, as I say.

And to those angels not yet acknowledged, I am thankful to you all.

Bust of an Angel from skitterphoto.com

Autism Friendly Design

So, I had this light bulb moment recently about how I might bring together a life-long special interest in art & design with my new special interest in autism ~ autism friendly design.

And it turns out The National Autistic Society are running a one day conference on 1st November 2016 in Manchester on 
Autism Friendly Design.

Since autism became part of our life I've had many opportunities to observe, & experience first hand, how ill-suited many environments can be for autistic people & the very real difficulties caused by autism unfriendly environments.  Schools, shops, leisure centres, transport hubs, homes even, the list goes on.

Having literally given up the day job in 2013 to focus on the unexpected demands of family life with autism, my plan was always to return to the workplace once 'things had settled' & we'd found our 'new normal'.

After a couple of false starts, we've still not reached a 'new normal'.  But that hasn't stopped me pondering the retraining opportunities a forced career break might open up.  Could this be my chance to pursue the creative education I'd not had the confidence to pursue way back when or should I find a way to formally build on the knowledge I'm acquiring now about autism with a view to helping others - after all, demand is clearly outstripping supply in terms of diagnosis & therapeutic support whether relating to autism, sensory processing or the mental health issues that can ensue.

Then it dawned on me that there might be a way of combining the two ~ & clearly I'm not alone!

Could I, should I, am I too old, will I be taken seriously, or do I come at it from another angle, from within the autistic community?

That internal debate continues to rage so watch this space.

Pastel Stained Glass via LOVETHISPIC

An Adage

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me."

Hmmmm ~ I guess we all know that's not true.  

This is especially true for people with autism for a number of reasons:

(a) our differences make us vulnerable to abuse, verbal & otherwise;

(b) our tendency for black & white thinking, literal interpretation & naive egocentricity leave us vulnerable to miscommunication, misinterpretation & to taking things personally;

(c) our tendency to dwell on hurtful experiences, rather than to simply 'shake off', can fuel already heightened levels of anxiety or anger

Today, World Mental Health Day, this untruth is particularly poignant as was illustrated during BBC Breakfast News & their report on the schockingly high levels of disability hate crime suffered by people with learning disabilities & autism.

On #WorldMentalHealthDay we hear that convictions for disability hate crime have risen 40% in the last year... pic.twitter.com/MzpAG2zrAG

— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) 10 October 2016