Anatomy of a Neurotypical Mother

My son is autistic, I am not, but neither am I neurotypical. I’m not a fan of the term “neurotypical,” I don’t find it meaningful or helpful. I’ve analysed and attacked its use before, so I won’t retread that path. … Continue reading →

Autism is not “difference;” why this matters from a parent’s perspective

Ever since I became aware of autism politics, I have been bombarded with the slogan that autism is not disability, it is difference; that disability is (primarily) a social construct, and that autism wouldn’t be considered or treated like a … Continue reading →

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 →

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 →