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

Heart and Soul of Autism - 2017

Sorry I haven't posted much since early 2016. Last year was a very difficult year with family health issues and the passing of my beautiful mother. I am hoping that 2017 will be a better year for my family and that I will complete or work on more of my books and other projects, and place some new posts here.

I hope everyone has a wonderful 2017.

In the meantime;

Not many of you may know that apart from writing my own books regarding the Autism Spectrum and children's stories, I am also a co-author of the Nine Degrees of Autism. This was an international collaboration with several experts in the field of Autism and Psychology. I am very honoured to have been chosen by this international team, and primarily the instigator and mastermind of the project, Philip Wylie.

If you follow the link below, you can read a synopsis, reviews, editors, subjects and contents information regarding this wonderful work. It was published in 2016 by Routledge [UK]. This year I am hoping to write Book 2 of my own "Heart Shields and Arrows" [Autism - non fiction] and publish this too. If you know other professionals in the field of Autism and/or psychology, or anyone living with and/or working with folks on the Spectrum, they may be interested in the "Nine Degrees.." and "Heart Shields and Arrows" works.

https://www.routledge.com/…/Wylie-Laws…/p/book/9781138887176

http://www.lulu.com/…/heart…/paperback/product-22305544.html

Autism - Obsessions, or are they Passions?

Autism and Obsessions, or are they Passions?
(Louise Page 2009)

           Could what we, as parents, witness in our autistic children as obsessions, really be the indicator of passions and innate talents?

          Could these passionate interests become an area of expertise for the autistic person who is now a child and soon to grow towards adulthood? 

          Should we discourage what appear to be obsessions by ‘training' for reduced behaviours in these areas and hope to influence the child to become more generalized (normalized) in their daily behaviours?

          If we do aim to divert energies away from such passions, could we be halting or stifling that serious endeavor of intrigue and a natural gift towards nurturing a potential genius in a given ‘area' or natural inclination of interests? If not genius in potential, perhaps a natural progressive and intensely personal interest which could open up a field of exploration (career wise?) in the future?

          Could that intrigue with lineated toys; the spinning top; curiosity with the shape of things; what sounds things make; the feel of an object; the rhythm ‘read' in music; bugs in the garden; the weather patterns; the lure of the sea; the patterns, colours and feel of paint on a canvas; the beautiful pitch of a constantly practiced singing voice; relentlessly digging holes in the backyard after the discovery of an intriguing ‘object' in the first hole dug; the repetitive plucking of the strings of a violin........and so on..., be the beginning of an amazing future in design, physics, writing music scores, entomology, meteorology, art, opera, oceanography, archeology, concert violin and so on......?

          Just as we should assist our autistic children with daily living, educational, social, behavioural skills for example, to enable them to achieve a quality, healthy, happy and safe life experience (serving to enhance their important rightful place and acceptance in this world); which could mean temporarily and momentarily diverting their attention from those passionate interests to acquire or improve on such skills.

          Passions are not a sign of bad behaviours or necessarily responding anxiously and negatively to a stimulus. Though a retreat into a passionate area of interest may be in response to stresses or anxiety; a place of familiarity and comfort to escape unwanted, undesired or overwhelming stimulus.

        

          The intensity of this retreat can be detrimental to the individual's wellbeing if, for

example, the passion involves potentially risky physical activity. One example of this, which I can use to explain what I mean here is – an experience of a young autistic man, whose passion is building, repairing and riding motorbikes. One day he felt so sensorally overloaded with various stressors, that he jumped on his motorbike and went flat-out down the local freeway; endangering his life and that of others. Luckily he returned home safely. Fortunately too, he realized that such an action was not the best choice of response to his anxieties.

          Another example, is where a young autistic boy, who had a fascination with all things to do with planes and helicopters, felt upset with those around him at school one day. So upon hearing and seeing a large plane fly above him, he decided to follow it – completely absorbed with its' sound and movement. He crossed roads without looking for traffic and ended up in the next town. Fortunately he stopped in his tracks, not moving, when it had gone out of sight and sound. Also, and most fortunate of all, a kind passer-by recognized his school uniform; phoned the school and the police, and this young lad was returned to the safety of his school and relieved mother.

          Most passionate interests are usually safe in nature and an incredibly important and intrinsic element in an autistic person's life.

          We should not confuse them (passions) with 'poor' behaviours which need ‘rectifying' or dulling for what may be considered ‘normalization'. Behaviours which may be deemed injurious, unsafe or unhealthy, for example, need to be addressed with the autistic person/child. Discovering the cause of the anxieties or concerns which produce such responses/behaviours must be ascertained and the appropriate assistance provided to the autistic person to reduce or eliminate them, for the quality of life.

          Healthy passions can be nurtured along with providing a balanced life skill set of conditions and experiences to assist our autistic children grow and prosper in this sometimes busy, confusing, unforgiving and overwhelming world.

Remrov - My beautiful friend's perspective on her Autism experience

My pleasure to share the first of your very important videos about Autism.

New book on the Autism Spectrum

Hello  all.

I have finally published my latest book - "Heart Shields and Arrows"

If you would like to preview the book, please go to Heart Shields and Arrows - Book 1 - by Louise Page on Lulu.com

The front cover of the book has an added description for the title;

"How the heart and soul of persons, and their families, living with Autism and Aspergers can be impacted by positive and negative life experiences, and how one may respond"  

 Part of the book details on Lulu.com;

Book Details

Copyright  - Standard Copyright Licence

Publisher   - Louise Page

Published  - 1 August 2015

Language  - English

198 Pages

Perfect-bound Paperback

Interior      - Black & white

Weight      - 0.35 kg

Dimensions (centimetres) - 14.81 wide x 20.98 tall

If you purchase this book, you are welcome to leave feedback or comments on my Lulu.com page, on LinkedIn or here on my blog.

I hope that this book with add to the increasing understanding and knowledge of Autism and that the reader with enjoy this first book in the Heart Shields and Arrows collection. 

Best wishes to my readers ;) 

Here's why Emmett was in the Urgent Care today | The Autism Dad

Here's why Emmett was in the Urgent Care today | The Autism Dad


Here is the sweetest young man discussing with his dad the do's and don't's of poking 'stuff' in your ear.

A. Syndrome by Stuart Quinn

Here is a lovely video by Stuart, which beautifully describes some of the experiences of a person living with Aspergers.

Books for Autism

Hello all.

I have created a new blog, which is exclusively created to highlight my books, eBooks and articles regarding the autism spectrum.

Anyone who is interested in the autism spectrum, whether you be a parent, educator, other professional, friend, family member or a person on the spectrum, can choose which product suits their interests or needs and can purchase one of my Ebooks, paperbacks or articles, some for not much more than the cost of a cup of coffee. 

"Books for Autism"  

I am currently in the process of adding my eBooks, articles, books and other related pieces of information, so this new site will gradually be built upon with various subjects regarding the autism spectrum. 

Have a wonderful day everyone.

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