Being autistic!

Hi all,

For the last few weeks I have been working in an autistic school, which has proved very interesting. The autistic spectrum is very broad and whilst some of the children can read, write and follow instructions others can not even toilet themselves. Others, who appear pretty intelligent and 'with it' can flare up at any moment and have an almighty tantrum with kicking, biting and scratching being quite normal behaviour! Today I have 2 red, bruised marks where some 'lovely' children pinched me when they weren't getting their own way!

Autistic children see the world through different eyes to the rest of us. It is almost as if someone is holding up a filter so that what we see as important and interesting, autistic children find dull, whilst, for them, something as trivial as their shadow can cause hours of entertainment! One dayI told a little girl that it was time to go to the bus and she promptly turned around and told her shadow it was time to go. She was most excited when this'new friend' follwed her to the bus que!

But one thing I have learnt is that the autistic point of view is not necessarily a bad one. Yes, in our society few of these children will ever pass as 'normal' but they are not unhappy about this, or even aware of it, in most circumstances. Most of the children are happy just to 'be'. Wouldn't it be lovely to be content just examining a stick or having a conmversation with yourself in the mirror for a hour or so. Best of all, wouldn't it be great to not be able to interpret other people's snide looks, negative body language and rude behaviour. Maybe we all need a dose of the autistic gene to help us appreciate the simple things in life and to give us a thicker skin! I know I do!

Love Helen***