Follow my 'blogging' on Facebook

Hello folks.

It has been quite a while since I have added any posts to this blog. I set up, some time ago, a page on Facebook to continue on sharing articles, news and stories relevant to autism.

https://www.facebook.com/autismauthorartist/ NOTE: This page is being reconstructed

So, this blog will stay up and I may add the occasional post here. 

A huge thankyou to the folks who have followed this blog in the past. I trully appreciate you finding my posts of interest.

Hope to see you over on my FB page ;)  Cheers, Louise.

Farewell Donna Williams [Polly Samuel] 1963 -2017

photo - courtesy of donnawilliams.net

It was with heartfelt sadness that we learnt of Donna's passing recently.

Professionally, Donna was an inspiration and amazingly talented woman. Her devotion to advocacy for the Autism communities was expressed passionately, creativity and with a wonderful zest. The times that Donna and I were able to either sit together and chat - particularly the time Donna spent with my youngest son, instantly noticeable was a mutual connection between them - or communicate via email, were always fun, interesting, and offered a kindred spirit of souls living with and working in the Autism field.

Donna offered not only mutually complementary insights, but her wonderfully cheeky sense of humour in sharing her understanding, empathy, knowledge and unselfish willingness to devote her time to those who either sought her advice/counsel or those fortunate enough too to have her delight in sharing one on one chat time and friendship with her. 

Donna's gifts of writing, paintings and indelible knowledge of the Autism Spectrum; beautiful soul and passions, will leave this world with an irreplaceable legacy of vitally important knowledge and wisdom. 

Donna is survived by her soulmate and perfect-match Chris. They were so blessed to be each other's partner. Bless you Chris. xx

Will miss you Donna xxx

Rosie King on Youtube

Rosie King is the epitome of an inspirational person living with autism, whose words can inspire other persons on the spectrum to be individual, unique and just be themselves with pride. She also offers a wonderful insight into her experience, which assists with autism awareness and advocacy, and helps educate people about the spectrum. She is a terrific young woman.

Valentine's Day

Some folks don't have someone to share Valentine's Day with. This poem is for these souls.

Valentines Day

Gifts and red roses may come your way

On this the 14^th, love’s Valentines Day.

For some there is no us or gifts to give

When in the moment, alone they must live.

Anticipation of receiving a token of care

Is just a whisper of hope in the air.

But all is not lost in the heart felt stakes

If the love for ones-self quietly awakes.

At peace with alone-ness and without pain

Of old worn paths, life’s not the same.

Share a raised glass in the mirror with self

Delivers past woes to the dim, dusty shelf.

Maybe tomorrow a kindred spirit will see

How rich your kind soul is and can be.

Never to worry when envisioning the day

When others are gifting the red rose splay.

Smile and know that love and peace can begin

With allowing ones-self to love from within.

Here is a rose, a thought gift from me

If on this day you feel a wee bit lonely.

Louise Page 2015

Back in 2014

Hello again folks.

I have been absent from my blog for some time now, due to having taken approximately 2 years overall off my work due to ill health.
I have jotted the odd post and article on sites such as LinkedIn and a couple of others, but have not been practicing in the counselling field. In my 'time-off' writing has still been one of my obsessive pleasures, and I have mountains of notes weighing down my desk currently. 
Also recently I was commissioned to co-write for a new developmental model for the Autism Spectrum - details of which I will elaborate on soon. This model is still in the process of being finalized and is yet to be passed by a medical/psychology board at a university in England. It was an honor to have been chosen as a co-author for this project and I was very humbled to have received the request.
I also write/post for a website's general science section, regarding earthquake activity (another of my passions -seismology/geology).

In 2014, I will be writing articles and ebooks regarding the Autism Spectrum. Some of these articles will be freely available to read and use on your websites and elsewhere, whilst others (including my books) will be available for purchase, hopefully through this website. I am in the process of piecing everything together and getting a bit better tech savvy in the process :)

Thankyou to those folks who have still been visiting my blog or are new to visiting here. It will be an even better place to pop in on in 2014 and in the meantime you may see some changes to the blog here and there.  

Cheers to you all,
Louise

Inspirational poem for Autism

Whilst reflecting on some words a teen on the Spectrum mentioned to me some time ago, I decided in a quiet moment to jot down this poem.

The teenager was relating to me how she was striving to strengthen her individuality and wanted ‘others’ to see that she was keen to take hold of being the ‘captain’ of her ship as it sailed into the future. She felt she needed others (though some well meaning) to take a step back and let her express her true self.

It also relates to how some people were presuming to ‘know’ her by what they had read in books about Autism/Aspergers.

The poem’s not perfect, but it basically describes this young lady’s feelings about some of her desires for her future.

I AM ME

My uniqueness is not found in a book by another

The story of “ME” may take a lifetime to uncover

I’ll paint the pictures to illustrate my meaning

The words I’ll write ‘ll be from my souls’ dreaming

Each of my days, a new chapter to pen

Not ‘till I’m finished, will my story end.

© Louise Page 2012

PattyCats in 2012

Just a note to mention that if you wish to email me to inquire about the PattyCats I make, please use the following email address instead - realistartinoz@yahoo.com.au
The previous email address is not accessible.
Cheers for now

New Book - Teenagers and Autism

photo copyright of Slavenko Vukasovic - Dreamstime.com

New Book

It has been a while since I have posted on this blog, but hopefully those are interested in my books and other writings/articles may be also interested in my current pursuit of writing a new book regarding teenagers on the Spectrum.

This book will encompass the relationships, emotions, anxieties, communication challenges, and so many other things, which can be experienced by a teen on the Spectrum.  The content of the book and its messages are also very relevant to the parent/carer of a teen on the Spectrum, and will be very much along the lines of a ‘team-effort’ in living life together and navigating life’s challenges, as well as all the many positives.

Once I have waded through my notes (back to 2011), finally pieced together the many chapters and published this book, I will post another note here regarding how and where it can be purchased by those who are interested.

I have several patient and professional persons in Australia and internationally (one a U.S. university professor, teachers, parents and some wonderful individuals (adults on the Spectrum) waiting for me to get this project ‘on-the-road’. Due to experiencing an energy-sapping physical health condition since the middle of 2011 and (and now getting my health gradually back to ‘normal’), I have had to, up until now, put my attention to completing this book on ‘hold’.  I am not practicing as a professional counsellor currently (due to my recent health concern) and have chosen to concentrate on writing for a while. I may resume practicing in 2013.

Special mention

Recently, Donna Williams, an internationally known, highly successful and respected writer/author, artist, singer-song-writer and Autism expert (Donna is on the Spectrum herself), endorsed me (via LinkedIn) for my professionalism, abilities and understanding in the field of Autism/Youth. I am truly honoured to have Donna endorse my work and experience in this field and am humbled by this recognition.   

Fireworks Kaleidoscope - YouTube video by Louise Page

 

I created and filmed this video with the intention of relating to music therapy, combined with a visual relaxation (and enjoyment) component. The idea, when viewing the video, is to imagine you may be looking through a kind of door/key hole into another dimension. This hopefully elicits a feeling of overall peace, tranquility and a momentary 'escape' from anxieties, stressors and so on. I also invisage that this video may assist in calming 'behaviour', even momentarily. This video was not designed with hypnosis in mind - not my area of expertise :) - just a relaxing auditory and visual experience. I have 'tested' its calming effect on a very small bunch of kids on the Spectrum (including mine) and they appear to instantly be mesmerized by the video/music - to their enjoyment. See what you think and let me know if you liked it (or not ;).  The music score is by the very talented UK artist Ricknanman.

Note: the video looks a tiny bit 'jerky' in spots. This is deliberate. It is supposed to represent 'yourself' looking through the door/keyhole, with natural body/eye movement and blinking in a couple of places.