Autistic with a specific talent or ability?
Are you on the autistic spectrum and have a specific gift, ability or talent? I often write about the many challenges we face as autistic people trying to make our way in life. But there are also some benefits of having a unique perspective on the world. I am presently doing some research into abilities displayed by people on the autistic spectrum. I am very interested to find out how common Read More
The new autistic adults-how a diagnosis saved his life
I recently read an article by a 44 year old man by the name of Chris Goodchild. He was featured in an article called, Autism: how diagnosis saved my life. His story jumped out at me like a huge bolt of lightning. It was as if he was describing my life. He talks about how he had struggled his whole life with various mental health problems, including depression and self Read More
Autistic and working freelance?
Many of us that are on the autistic spectrum have high level skills that can be used in our career. “I have a constant battle with my own lack of confidence and low self esteem” As you may know by now, I am a person with high functioning autism. I am also a professional film maker and musician. I had a reasonable amount of success in these areas over the Read More
Autism and genius
We’ve all heard about the autistic “savant” that special breed of autistic person that has almost superhuman powers. They are great musicians, artists, software writers. Some like Kim Peek depicted in the film Rainman have incredible powers of memory. It is even thought by many people that Einstein, Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook creator) and even Bill Gates are on the Autistic spectrum. Whilst they may not necessarily be “savants” they certainly display Read More
Autism: How meditation can help
Autism: How meditation can help This week I took part in a research study at a London university to see how people with high functioning autism or Asperger syndrome, could benefit from using guided meditation and mindfulness to relieve some of their anxiety, and also help them develop more self awareness. I am a person with high functioning autism. I am also someone that has for many years been very interested Read More
The Autism Bill 2009 UK – So where’s the change?
So here in the UK a new law was passed – The Autism Bill 2009 UK. This was intended to force the government to work with local health authorities and local government to produce strategies to improve services for adults on the autistic spectrum. There was a duty on government to publish their strategy by the end of 2010 which they have. Below are the 5 key points of the governments Read More
What is Autism
The most accurate and comprehensive description I can find of what Autism actually is can be found on the National Autistic Society website. Here is the link. http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/autism-and-asperger-syndrome-an-introduction/what-is-autism.aspx I could not have created a better explanation and I only want to have the best possible information on my website. The general purpose of my website is to give a personal account of life with Autism. Steve
Does the MMR jab cause Autism?
Should you give your child the MMR jab, and will your child become autistic after being immunised? The current thinking amongst medical professionals is that the MMR jab does not cause autism and doctors are urging parents to have their children immunized. This subject has recently hit the the news here in the UK after large scale outbreaks of Measles point to parents worrying about the possible risks of “MMR Read More
High Functioning Autism Symptoms
High Functioning Autism Symptoms that have affected me Speech delay Delay in learning to speak properly as a child resulting in regular visits to a speech therapist till the age of 9. To this day I find speech very hard work. Social imagination / Theory of mind Inability to understand people’s intent, what they really mean when they are talking to me.This makes me feel very un-confident around people and as Read More
Managing emotions
Managing emotions is a hugely important factor in the life of autistic people and those around them. I am an adult with High functioning autism and In my work as a tutor for the National Autistic Society in London I work with many autistic people that struggle to cope with their often intense and out of control emotions. The majority of autistic people, myself included, have very childlike emotional responses Read More