State-funded abuse of the intellectually disabled in New Zealand

In the years since I became hyper-aware of how the intellectually disabled have been treated (or mistreated) in New Zealand, I have not been impressed with what I have found. I know that the wonderful and kind institutions are less … Continue reading →

Book Review: “Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships,” by Grandin and Barron.

“Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships; Decoding Social Mysteries Through the Unique Perspectives of Autism,” is written By Temple Grandin and Sean Barron, with input and editing by Veronica Zysk. This is a remarkable book. It is quite unlike any other … Continue reading →

Why his autism made me a better person, and why I should never say that it has.

Raising a child with autism has made me a better person. How many times have you seen a statement like that, and what is your reaction when you do? I’ve never felt comfortable with the statement, I’m not even a … Continue reading →

Autism as a barrier to housing in New Zealand?

Two days ago I spotted a story about a family who were unable to get a decent home – even to get a home through the State housing system – because of the behaviour of their three autistic children. Predictably, … Continue reading →

Fundraising for a friend’s family to receive an assistance dog (go on, you know you want to)!

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Once upon a time, in a land not far away (in fact, it was just across town), I met a woman with a son about the same age as mine, facing similar challenges to mine. We were both attending a … Continue reading →

Social Skills in a Mainstream School

My seven year-old son has been attending a mainstream school for about three months. He spent the first two years of his schooling at a Special School. When his academic and social skills had advanced to a point where that … Continue reading →

Where was Autism NZ on World Autism Awareness Day?

World Autism Awareness Day was on April 2nd. It’s come and gone, and you wouldn’t have known it even existed in New Zealand. I searched the following sites, for either written or video content: NZ Herald, Stuff.co.nz, Scoop.co.nz, as well … Continue reading →

101 on Autism Diversity, for Autism Awareness Day

Each year, on Autism Awareness Day, I try to go with a slightly different theme. In 2011 I did a piece based around how much I love my son, in 2012 I looked at the difference in awareness campaigns in … Continue reading →

Waiting on the world to change?

Every one of us has a version of the ideal world, and a corresponding appreciation of the many ways in which it doesn’t measure up to reality. We fight to change the world to better match our ideal version – … Continue reading →

Do You See?

My seven-year old autistic son has school sores on his nostril and upper lip. (This is not a nice way to start a post, but stick with me.) The doctor has prescribed him antibiotics and a regime of soaking the … Continue reading →