autismplusuk

(LONDON) Edited by Paula Tooths by 13-year-old Naoki Higashida ‘What makes me smile is seeing ­something beautiful.’ Photograph: Miki Higashida When I was small, I didn’t even know I had special needs. How did I find out? By other people telling me I was different and that this was a problem. True enough. It was very hard for me to act like a normal person, and even now I still can’t “do” a real conversation. I have no problem reading books aloud and singing, but as …

(LONDON) Revised by Paula Tooths   So. The child psychologist across the desk has just told you that your three-year-old is “presenting behaviour consistent with that of an individual on the autistic spectrum”. You feel trepidation, sure, a foreboding that your life as a parent is going to be much tougher than the one you signed up for, but also a dash of validation. At least you now have a 10-page report to show to friends and relatives who have …