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 ;) 

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.

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

"Glowing Planet - An Alternative Universe" YouTube video

Here is another of the videos I have produced recently.

It is especially designed for children and is very relaxing to watch. The music score accompanying the video was produced and performed by Rick Clarke from the United Kingdom.
This is a short fictional story about travelling to a planet that glows (pulsates with different colours) and encounters with (friendly) alien space ships.

Fireworks Kaleidoscope 2 - Youtube video by Louise Page

This video - Fireworks Kaleidoscope 2 - shares the same description with the post below, but contains different footage and sound track.

Tactile Toys - Patty Cats

 

I've been busy making these gorgeous creatures, I've nick-named PattyCats. Initially I made a couple for my Autistic son and some other children for fun, as they loved the feel of the luxurious fur and found them very soothing.
But low and behold they have become somewhat of a 'hit' with the kids and the adults (kids at heart) too!

Do you remember (ye fellow oldies, 70's children) the furry little toy creatures we may have had as kids, which when you stroke the fur on their back they'd arch up as if they loved the attention? Well, combining that memory with the Patty Cat toys I make, ye oldies can reminisce about the 70's and the kids of today can enjoy a simple, fun and cuddly toy which can entertain as well.
They are made from high quality faux fur, with sewn on eyes (for improved safety) and a sewn on tail (for extra strength) and measure approximately 14 inches/36 cms from nose to tail.
(Please note that even though the eyes are well sewn on, they may still pose a potential choking hazard for those persons [and pets] who may chew their toys or objects)

If you too are interested in these mesmerizing creatures, please email me .