Although this blog is largely about my love of knitting, especially rabbits (had to sneak a quick picture in!), I do write about autism from time to time. I also get to hear from a lot of people who are involved with autism – either directly living with an affected family member or involved in research / campaigning. I recently heard from a wonderful young woman who has written a book about an 8 year old boy with autism. Nicki Mann had many problems at school but has gone on to work with special needs children and is currently training to be a teacher. Her book Danny, Danny Superstar tells the story of an autistic boy, his special needs classmates and their school talent show.

It’s a wonderful way to tell other children about some of the difficulties autistic children have. Amy especially likes the story because she identifies with Danny’s big sister Lizzy. It would be a great book to read with children who have an autistic relative, classmate or friend as it’s a very sensitive and child-friendly introduction to the fact that some children are different. Nikki has self-published the book on lulu so you can either download a copy and print it yourself or order a pre-printed bound copy.

My ramblings about autism aren’t based on any intellectual expertise but rather on personal experience and as autism affects every individual in a completely different ways my families’ experiences aren’t necessarily relevant to anyone else. But there are common issues that affect all autistic people. In this country the National Autistic Society are tireless in campaigning for better understanding of autism and better support for those with the condition.

Campaigning is critical if people with autism and their families are to
get a better deal from services and society at large. We work at a
national level to champion the rights and interests of people with
autism and their families and ensure that policy and legislation
reflect their needs: your contribution is vital to achieve positive
changes.

They are currently seeking support from the general public in 2 particular areas. If you’re in the UK and feel like lending your voice please follow the links below. These are not requests for cash – just petitions that show the weight of public opinion.

National Government:

Petition for more government support for those with autistic spectrum disorders

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/aspergersupport/

Local Government:

The NAS are also requesting information from each UK local authority on their current provision for children with autistic spectrum disorders. Many local authorities have not yet responded to the questionnaire and so need a kick up the ****. If you fancy delivering a kick, please email me and I’ll forward the email on to you (I can’t get the link to work here!)

Thanks so much for reading and for your support.

Recently I’ve been spending far too much of my time in a darkened room. No, it’s not due to a migraine or  a hangover or even an overdose of knitting! It’s all due to Toby’s love of a game.

It came about by accident really. Toby has
bounced on our bed since he was old enough to stand (it’s a wonder that
the springs haven’t completely gone) and one night back in winter he decided to do it in the dark. He (like many autistic children) is stimulated by watching fast movement and he loves spinning light wands so we’ve always kept a variety of these in our bedroom along with 3 disco balls and various torches (just incase we wanted a disco in the middle of the night – you know!). Anyway, while he was bouncing in the dark I shone a torch from behind him and projected his shadow onto a flat wall of white painted cupboards and he loved it!

Toby has never really shown much interest in his reflection. I think he
might just beginning to realise that it’s him in the mirror.  Amy on
the other hand was posing in front of the mirror from the time she
started walking and still can’t walk past one without pausing to check
how she looks (I know – it’ll only get worse!). It does seem though that Toby has made friends with his shadow. Maybe it’s something to do with it being a flat shape or that it doesn’t look back at him – I’m not really sure but it’s magical to see him interracting with it.

He has twigged that when he moves his arm his shadow does too and he’s
now actually playing with his shadow, wiggling his fingers, running up to it and
then away again to see it get smaller and bigger and seemingly
understanding that it is him.  When I turn off the torch he claps to indicate he wants the torch on again, a clear communication for more (and all intentional communication from Toby is a bonus). Toby has definitely discovered his shadow and that it is ‘connected’ to him. This awareness is a new thing and brings him more into our world.

We’ve played this all winter – which is fine when it’s dark and cold outside but now the evenings are longer and sunnier it’s wearing a little thin (for me at least). So spare a thought for me on the upcoming balmy summer evenings, for while you sit in the early evening sun sipping your chilled glass of wine, I shall be sat in the dark, torch in hand, making my little chap a happy one!