I watched the repeat of The Autistic Me on BBC3 last night and absolutely hated it. I honestly don't know what was wrong with me, thinking it was so great the first time round. I think I just got excited with the thought of it provoking enough feeling in viewers to actually make them care about the subject. Because that really would have happened. After that pile of crap I think people could actually care less. I swear they did all they could to present the three boys as no hopers who would never get anywhere no matter how hard they tried.
And the worst thing? John watched it with me because I encouraged him. I only did it because I was wearing my rose tinted glasses and thought he would find it interesting. I mean, he's totally obsessed with all things autism at the moment. He got pretty angry about the slide of the documentary. He didn't blame me or anything, and was really sweet when I apologised, but I still feel guilty.
In some ways though, it did make for an interesting evening. It's amazing the extent to which John actually thinks about things. When you look at him staring dazedly at the television you could easily think there's not much going on in his mind but that really isn't the case.
He genuinely does not see himself as someone who is "disabled" and I love that. I also hate that I could have ruined that for him by being stupid and not thinking about that program properly first time round. I guess it's good for him to see how other people like him cope though. My mum was upset about the program too, but like me enjoyed talking with John about his opinions on everything. She said it kind of make her feel like she'd done a good job, since John doesn't feel at all limited by well... himself.
Track: Feeling Sorry - Paramore
banana
Pro

My son is a bit Aspergery as is my husband and I think I veer in that direction myself. I have to say that usually I can identify with autistic thought processes more than I can with so called 'normal' ones.
Logic is so well - logical.
But I know I'm not autistic - I taught a kid diagnosed with Aspergers once and he seemed the most sensible person in the class to me. Just couldn't cope with sudden changes and chaos and got in a flap a lot.
I wrote my poem 'Sincere Apologies to My teacher Mrs ThreadGold' after meeting him.
I'm sorry I bit Mrs ThreadGold.
It's not a thing I'd do twice.
Quite apart from the fact that I won't get the chance,
She didn't taste very nice.
I think the trick is finding a way of life that fits and making the most you can, I hope he finds his way and can thrive.
Kefalonia, the Greek island where I live now, prides itself on being a place for madmen, poets and inventors - and is extremely tolerant and accepting of 'different thinkers' compared with other places in the world. I think that is more why I love it here, than the weather and scenery even. It feels like home.