(Please read right to the end)
On the whole, it’s been a good day today.
D has been delighted that the woolly Nativity figures have made an appearance, she’s enjoyed playing with them and the beauty of woolly figures is that they are unbreakable. (Unless someone went at them with a pair of scissors but we won’t think about that!)
She’s loved comparing the “Mary” figure with her performance in the Nativity play.
A definite resemblance me’thinks.
There was an unfortunate moment today when we had an unexpected pair of visitors. T’s reaction was of coldness – which reminded me so much of a member of my family – and D’s was to get extremely anxious and dive under the table. Just illustrates how unexpected change is so difficult for them both to deal with, albeit in different ways.
On a lighter note, @ClaireLouise82 posted a video her little man had made on his iPad mini showing him using a Gangnam Dancebooth app. The app is free and brilliant! Thank you Claire x. We did one for D and I can’t seem to post it – so here’s a screenshot – but she was laughing away:
Changing the tone completely, as many of you will know, I do a daily blog which I hope demonstrates the highs and lows of living with autism. My reasons for blogging are threefold:
One: I enjoy it and it’s therapeutic
Two: I hope that by reading it those who care for autistic individuals or are on the spectrum themselves (or both) can identify
And Three: to promote autism awareness and, ultimately acceptance.
This third reason becomes all the more necessary when a screen-shot like this appears on your timeline:
I’m not on Facebook but from what I understand, the individual concerned is sticking by her views despite some very considered and rational responses from autism parents. I would normally shy away from publicising any individual with views as extreme as hers but I think it’s important that people are aware of the level of ignorance and unwillingness to learn.
Thanks for reading Jx 😘
Comments/RTs/shares as ever welcomed.
Autism Mumma (Jeannette) 
Comments on: "Sunday 16th December – unexpectedness and ignorance" (20)
Whenever anything like this happens, and guns are involved, the extreme conservative right wing of America, will blame anything, but the gun culture. Because people do not have the understanding of Autism, it is an easy thing to blame. Keep up the good work with your awareness campaign.
Thank you Tony x
I was so horrified when I saw this tweet, and I’m actually reluctant to retweet or engage in case others see and agree with it. BUT I am delighted that you are sharing my picture again, hopefully it finishes this post on a positive note 🙂
Thank you, I felt I couldn’t ignore the screenshot, it demonstrates how much awareness is needed.
I do like to end posts positively so…apologies that I didn’t realise it was your picture *chews nails* and thank you for being gracious 🙂
Seriously, I’m delighted 🙂 *note to self : must make Hearts and Minds bit more prominent lol*
Yes…definitely lol!
Seriously?
Ms Acquaire may well be hearing from me!
Yep, it was a screenshot another tweeter sent out. The author got worse.
I wonder how people like this ever reach adulthood and maintain relationships…
Baffles me!
Thats America for you, blame anything bar the guns. I read that they blamed it on the fact that Christianity was no longer part of the school. So did God decide that innocent people should die because of that?
People are afraid of what they dont understand. You will never truly understand autism unless you go through it or are caring for someone with it. My son is in the process of getting tested for it atm.
Laura x
I completely agree with your second to last sentence, it’s a big ask for people to understand and accept something they can’t see and have no knowledge of.
I am finding that certain TAs at my daughters school just shrug off her behaviour rather than try to accept and empathise and that’s with training!
Good luck with your son’s testing, we are starting the process for our ten year old son. X
Unfortunately that does not surprise me a super lot.
I have been expecting this type of attack over this and it will take parents of autistic children a lot of work to overcome the negativity this will create.
The fortunate part is that many of us are used to fighting uphill to get what our children need and we have the strength to push through their hatred.
Absolutely with you 🙂
Shocking,narrow minded,uneducated bigot….that’s all that is running through my mind right now. This is the perfect example of why there cannot be enough Autism awareness spread right around the world.
Totally in agreement, I don’t normally post a screenshot but this was a prime example of ignorance.
The author of that facebook comment lists as her two favourite quotations:
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”….
“Gun control is being able to hit your target”
From this I infer she might not be speaking from simple blind ignorance, but rather an active wish to deflect attention from that other issue.
I think you’re right there Leigh.
Why woukd she allow him to have access to an semi automatic weapon if he was so disturbed?
Strange isn’t it, there’s definitely more to this tragedy.