The lighter side of Autism
Discussion
I have a 9 year old son with severe Autism who got his EHCP at age 3. It has been pretty challenging in a lot of ways with the usual behavioural issues, which combined with Cystic Fibrosis (think face masks for nebulisers, regular blood tests etc) has made it a bit of an adventure to put it lightly. Additional highlights have included battling the local authority when they wanted to put him in either a mainstream school 40 miles away or a 'hub' in a high school that's 20 miles away. Thankfully he's now in a specialist independent following our threat of tribunal and an entertaining mediation session.
The threads on PH regarding others experiences have helped measure the frustrations I've had as it's clear others have experienced the same issues, and in some cases far, far more difficult circumstances.
That said, I think there's a lot to be said for appreciating the lighter, sometimes rather amusing side of the condition and thought maybe a thread to share the good moments might provide a much needed mood lift.
My son has provided many comedy moments thanks to his unique world view and humour. Perhaps the worst/funniest was at the hospital when he was 5 and awaiting some tests. A lady with dwarfism walked past and this triggered him causing him to run over and start interrogating her angrily (she had a good sense of humour).
Last week, again, at the hospital we were waiting in the pharmacy when he spotted a rather sad looking older fellow in a wheel chair with his leg in plaster cast..... 'Oh my God!! What happened to you?' Was bellowed across the room... thankfully the old boy lit up and explained his leg had some sores and a fracture. Then he spotted that the old boy was missing half an ear (old injury) and absolutely erupted. Wibbling it and asking what happened, much to the amusement of the now captive victim. Sadly we never found out what happened to the ear as he was told it's a story for grown ups.
Plenty of other moments that I like to recall and that remind me of how sweet, funny and engaging he can be. Unlike this morning when I was told 'Go away and goodbye' before packing him off in the taxi.
I'd love to hear other people's entertaining moments, especially if they're more mortifying than attacking a dwarf in public.
The threads on PH regarding others experiences have helped measure the frustrations I've had as it's clear others have experienced the same issues, and in some cases far, far more difficult circumstances.
That said, I think there's a lot to be said for appreciating the lighter, sometimes rather amusing side of the condition and thought maybe a thread to share the good moments might provide a much needed mood lift.
My son has provided many comedy moments thanks to his unique world view and humour. Perhaps the worst/funniest was at the hospital when he was 5 and awaiting some tests. A lady with dwarfism walked past and this triggered him causing him to run over and start interrogating her angrily (she had a good sense of humour).
Last week, again, at the hospital we were waiting in the pharmacy when he spotted a rather sad looking older fellow in a wheel chair with his leg in plaster cast..... 'Oh my God!! What happened to you?' Was bellowed across the room... thankfully the old boy lit up and explained his leg had some sores and a fracture. Then he spotted that the old boy was missing half an ear (old injury) and absolutely erupted. Wibbling it and asking what happened, much to the amusement of the now captive victim. Sadly we never found out what happened to the ear as he was told it's a story for grown ups.
Plenty of other moments that I like to recall and that remind me of how sweet, funny and engaging he can be. Unlike this morning when I was told 'Go away and goodbye' before packing him off in the taxi.
I'd love to hear other people's entertaining moments, especially if they're more mortifying than attacking a dwarf in public.
Thank you for sharing the above ! I identify with some of your experiences with my own sprogs, though the ability to see the brighter side of things does ebb and flow with me. Good reminder from you that it's not all EHCP reviews, fighting with the LEA and worrying about what the future will bring.
Not really in much of a sharing mood of funny stories at the moment, but appreciate the light relief all the same - cheers
Not really in much of a sharing mood of funny stories at the moment, but appreciate the light relief all the same - cheers
My 10 year old grandson is mildly autistic/neurodivergent/on-the-spectrum or the latest manifestation of all of the previous.
He is hilariously funny at times. I think it's because he is so literal in a lot of his thinking.
Someone recently asked him where he lived and his reply was, "North America".
Last time he was at SeaWorld (he lives close by and is obsessed with the place) he got selected from the public to participate in a dolphin show, where he was to stand at the edge of the pool and feed fish to the dolphin that appeared on cue. The presenter handed him a fish and asked him if he knew what type of fish it was. "Yes", he replied, "It's a dead fish".
He is hilariously funny at times. I think it's because he is so literal in a lot of his thinking.
Someone recently asked him where he lived and his reply was, "North America".
Last time he was at SeaWorld (he lives close by and is obsessed with the place) he got selected from the public to participate in a dolphin show, where he was to stand at the edge of the pool and feed fish to the dolphin that appeared on cue. The presenter handed him a fish and asked him if he knew what type of fish it was. "Yes", he replied, "It's a dead fish".
My youngest was five the first time we visited Malham Cove, we had walked/climbed up Gordale Scar, so approached it from the top. Halfway down the path into Malham, and the full majesty was on display. He suddenly burst into tears and was inconsolable for what felt like ages, an absolute full on meltdown.
I carried him through rest of the way down, and called in the pub to get him a soft drink (and a pint each for me and the wife), where he finally calmed down enough to tell us what was wrong,
"We haven't got any rope!"
I carried him through rest of the way down, and called in the pub to get him a soft drink (and a pint each for me and the wife), where he finally calmed down enough to tell us what was wrong,
"We haven't got any rope!"
We get lots of small pieces of short, deadpan statements from my daughter that leave us in stitches. Too many for me to recall right now but a couple of typical examples include the time she joined a mainstream girls’ football team and during early training sessions and matches would be told to “get into space”.
She looked towards the sky with a confused look upon her face.
Similarly being asked to “blow her nose” would leave her blowing air from her mouth upwards and wondering how this would help her cold…
She looked towards the sky with a confused look upon her face.
Similarly being asked to “blow her nose” would leave her blowing air from her mouth upwards and wondering how this would help her cold…
My eldest son is autistic. He's 24 now. Managed to get himself a job where he keeps sorting out their computer systems to be leaner and quicker.
What's sweet is that every weekday he calls me as he leaves work at 1632.
If it's 1634 or 1633, he apologises for calling late
If I'm busy, then he'll call 3 times then give up
What's sweet is that every weekday he calls me as he leaves work at 1632.
If it's 1634 or 1633, he apologises for calling late
If I'm busy, then he'll call 3 times then give up
smifffymoto2 said:
All the the times I have shot my 27 year old a disapproving look at the something inappropriate he has said,only to be replied by a shrug of the shoulders and a quizzical gaze.
My 24 year old lad is the same Slightly concerned that he's citing various employment laws to his boss at the job he's only been in a year.
I told him to ease off, but he won't be told as he's in the right.
croyde said:
My 24 year old lad is the same
Slightly concerned that he's citing various employment laws to his boss at the job he's only been in a year.
I told him to ease off, but he won't be told as he's in the right.
Bizarre how they pick up on stuff, my lad was let go when he started pointing out his ex bosses were not adhering to the law.Slightly concerned that he's citing various employment laws to his boss at the job he's only been in a year.
I told him to ease off, but he won't be told as he's in the right.
The problem is they are correct but don't realise that you have to be political, read the room, have a bit of give and take etc
Sorry about your Lad
I'm a little worried about what the daily call at 1632 will bring as he's meeting his boss about his position in the company after his apprenticeship finishes.
Sorry about your Lad
I'm a little worried about what the daily call at 1632 will bring as he's meeting his boss about his position in the company after his apprenticeship finishes.
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