Brenda Boyd on Appreciating Asperger Syndrome

“People with AS can be like a breath of fresh air in a world which contains so much pretence and artifice, simply because they are often true to themselves in a way that typical people are not. And even though the characteristic traits of AS can make life difficult and uncomfortable, they have been responsible for some of the world’s greatest achievements throughout history – for example the typical AS originality, intense focus and potential to become leaders rather than followers.”

January 15, 2009Autism

Robbie Woliver on Alphabet Kids – From ADD to Zellweger Syndrome

“We started getting these alphabet-soup diagnoses, and even as I became more expert on the subject, it was still a confusing maze to me. I wanted to write a book to help other parents and those professionals who work with them, that would provide a roadmap that would make their journeys easier. This is really the book I wish I had when I started my research almost two decades ago.”

November 15, 2008Autism

An interview with ‘kindred spirit’ Shana Nichols, author of Girls Growing Up on the Autism Spectrum

“I have always loved stories about creative, strong, gutsy heroines such as Anne Shirley and Jo March from Little Women, and I try to bring that energy to my work with girls and young women with ASDs—embracing challenges, overcoming obstacles, and finding a “kindred spirit” along the way.”

October 15, 2008Autism

Kenneth Aitken on Dietary Interventions and hopes for the future of Autism Spectrum Disorders

“Personally I don’t believe we should be waiting on the Holy Grail of a wonder treatment for everyone with ASD, however appealing this may seem to some. Some people with ASD symptomology neither need treatment nor want it.”

September 15, 2008Autism

Kay and Haitham Al-Ghani on creating The Red Beast

“I began to explore ways of getting the children to visualise their anger as a sort of beast that was very difficult to control. In this way the anger was depersonalised. After all, we are all capable of becoming angry, it is how we deal with those feelings that matters. Children with ASD already have a great deal of anxiety to cope with in a normal school day, and so the chances of awakening the ‘beast’ are increased. I thought about the methods I used to calm children and incorporated these into a story. However, this story really came to life when I asked my son, Haitham, to illustrate it for me.”

August 15, 2008Autism

Sally Kirk on Hope for the Spectrum of Autism

“The Asperger’s diagnosis was a real turning point for us. For it fit Will like his shadow. Finally I knew what we were really dealing with. Learning about it helped me to understand Will better. Understanding was transforming. For when I saw the world as he saw it, his behaviors made perfect sense. The blessing of understanding was that it led to empathy and compassion. It melted frustration and exasperation into genuine respect, whole-hearted support and even admiration. It helped me to become much more effective at helping him. The impact such understanding made on our relationship was profound. It put us on the same team – working together to face the challenges. It made all the difference in the world.”

July 15, 2008Autism

Wendy Lawson: “they need us because we are good at the ‘black & white’ stuff.”

“I think we need to demonstrate to society that we are of value, just the way we are. That we don’t need to change and be more like typical people to be worthwhile. Our value is in being human, and in being different.”

June 15, 2008Adoption and Fostering

Tony Attwood talks heroes and Harry Potter

“I think that the greatest enjoyment is seeing the progress of individuals that I have known for a number of years, in terms of self understanding, abilities and circumstances.”