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Dear Admin !! "Please"

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

Although the whole month of April is Autism awareness month, On the 2nd April is "World International Autism Awareness Day"

And i would like to ask if we could light up "Fab's Blue" for the day as this the colour for Autism. Just as you did for "Breast Cancer"

There just isn't enough awareness out there and needs to pushed more!!

I know that this hugely big in America and we have a lot of lovely fabber's from across the pond on here.

If not then maybe we could do a "Light it up Blue" Avatar for the day what do you think lovely fab guys and gals ??

Ruby

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

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By *inaTitzTV/TS
over a year ago

Titz Towers, North Notts

Why not?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I am all for this my son is Autistic so thumbs up from me

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Sounds like a plan

JN will love it - got a major blue 'fetish'

Seems drawn to it !

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Great idea

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman
over a year ago

evesham

avatar challenge for that day me thinks as well!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

That's a fantastic idea, big thumbs up here

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman
over a year ago

evesham

oh...haha....yo already said that!

sorry Ruby x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Sounds an excellent idea to me

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Great idea xx

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

my daughter has autism, would be nice to do something

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

big huge thumbs up from me, it's a battle my son fights everyday.

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By *aria161965Woman
over a year ago

Woodchurch

Great idea

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By *rightonsteveMan
over a year ago

Brighton - even Hove!

Good idea, Ruby

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 29/03/14 19:42:25]

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's a great idea I get to work with autistic kids now and then so I'm all for it

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Good idea

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's interesting to see how few have posted on here.

Had it been a kiss fuck avoid, it would have closed by now.

Just goes to show how few are affected by the spectrum and how little they know...

Well done OP on raising the issue and awareness of it

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By *hole Lotta RosieWoman
over a year ago

Deviant City

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My daughter has Aspergers Syndrome, which is continuous hard work, c'mon Admin ....jus do it

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 29/03/14 22:06:16]

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Gets my vote

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Great idea

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Great idea anything to raise awareness

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Excellent idea. from me!

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By *picyspiregirlCouple
over a year ago

chesterfield

Why not, it's a good and quick way to raise awareness.

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By *aceytopWoman
over a year ago

from a town near you

good idea and it shouldn't be too difficult for admin to do

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Great idea. Take heed admin. Raise awareness.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

good pal of mine has children with autism....amazing buggers so they are so a big ol' tick from me too =)

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Good idea

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By *ivilizedkinkCouple
over a year ago

harrow

[Removed by poster at 30/03/14 07:37:08]

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By *ivilizedkinkCouple
over a year ago

harrow

We are all for this , our youngest son is autistic. So come on FAB lets get behind this one .

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By *ickawitchCouple
over a year ago

Away with the fairies (Liverpool to you)

We like this idea

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Fantastic idea

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


" "

Fantastic Idea

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

Thank you so much everyone, I am looking forward to seeing to seeing the "Light it up Blue" Avatars xx

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

"Bump"

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By *ampy and zxrCouple
over a year ago

caerphilly


" Although the whole month of April is Autism awareness month, On the 2nd April is "World International Autism Awareness Day"

And i would like to ask if we could light up "Fab's Blue" for the day as this the colour for Autism. Just as you did for "Breast Cancer"

There just isn't enough awareness out there and needs to pushed more!!

I know that this hugely big in America and we have a lot of lovely fabber's from across the pond on here.

If not then maybe we could do a "Light it up Blue" Avatar for the day what do you think lovely fab guys and gals ??

Ruby "

my daughter has recently been diagnosed as having aspergers, so I think its a great idea

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By *opinovMan
over a year ago

Point Nemo, Cumbria

I agree.

If not blue then maybe even a multi-coloured jigsaw piece... I'm sure either would do, just to plant a seed of awareness.

Considering the nature of this site, where much is centred around the wish to meet people, perhaps it might be nice to acknowledge what can lie behind the difficulties some of us experience with this.

As far as I can tell, the last time the topic was raised was mid October last year. Even though it remains very relevant, little seems to have been said on the topic since that thread was closed down.

http://www.fabswingers.com/forum/lounge/211044

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have 2 children on the spectrum, one very severe, im all for this

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Need to do this. Excellent idea xx

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Great idea for a very great cause.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Great idea for a very great cause.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Have they said if they will or not ?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Brill idea

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Come on admin you have my support for this great idea as well.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Molly would really appreciate it too!

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By *exywheelsCouple
over a year ago

inverness

Great Idea

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

I have made ribbons like the "Breast Cancer" just for my close friends and family. I have now run out because i been asked for one by many and tomorrow i will do more,

My daughter as you all know is severely Autistic with no speech,

And on the 2nd of April is her Birthday she will be 15 as i type this tears flow.

I just want everyone to know that "When you see a child on the street or in a shop that is misbehaving it is not always what it seems"

Ruby xx

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Repeat the request on their forum Ruby.

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By *icple123Couple
over a year ago

st albans

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My nephew has Aspergers, so a big thumbs up from me. A cause for every month would be a good idea.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I think it's a good idea, but maybe admin won't see it, may be worth a shot messaging them direct OP linking this thread in your message

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Whether I should say this here or not, but I have Asperger's Syndrome.

Diagnosed at 5, it's an often confusing world but I've managed to cope and feel the condition is mild to how I was 18 years ago, compared to my older brother who was diagnosed 5 years ago at the age of 19.

My brain is rewired differently, but it doesn't mean it affects my personality. I often make mountains out of molehills, and often have unintentionally clumsy rapport.

Aspergers and Autism are such broad conditions that they need this kind of awareness. Heck, a recent short film I've made even tackles the issues and subjects surrounding Autism and Aspergers.

I'm grateful to OP for suggesting this. My avatar has a blue sky, does that count?

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"I think it's a good idea, but maybe admin won't see it, may be worth a shot messaging them direct OP linking this thread in your message"

That's a good idea, just done that thanks

JetandRuby x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

One of my sons has Aspergers so its from us

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Great idea "

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Big thumbs up from me great idea

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"I have made ribbons like the "Breast Cancer" just for my close friends and family. I have now run out because i been asked for one by many and tomorrow i will do more,

My daughter as you all know is severely Autistic with no speech,

And on the 2nd of April is her Birthday she will be 15 as i type this tears flow.

I just want everyone to know that "When you see a child on the street or in a shop that is misbehaving it is not always what it seems"

Ruby xx"

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Its a great idea, I hope it takes off and can be an annual reminder like the breast cancer awareness thread.

I work as a medical secretary so have always been aware of the difficulties surrounding autism and Asperger's and the effect it has on both sufferers and their families. Its a shock to see so many posts from people who are affected when you think what a small number of people the forum represents.

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By *he Ring WraithMan
over a year ago

Bradford

What a great idea - hope it can be done; Autism touches so many of us in so many ways !

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Whether I should say this here or not, but I have Asperger's Syndrome.

Diagnosed at 5, it's an often confusing world but I've managed to cope and feel the condition is mild to how I was 18 years ago, compared to my older brother who was diagnosed 5 years ago at the age of 19.

My brain is rewired differently, but it doesn't mean it affects my personality. I often make mountains out of molehills, and often have unintentionally clumsy rapport.

Aspergers and Autism are such broad conditions that they need this kind of awareness. Heck, a recent short film I've made even tackles the issues and subjects surrounding Autism and Aspergers.

I'm grateful to OP for suggesting this. My avatar has a blue sky, does that count? "

Good for you, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Borderline Personality Disorder here **waving**

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Good for you, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Borderline Personality Disorder here **waving**"

Thankyou Never been ashamed of it, it's just something I'll bring up in a conversation like this.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My son has aspergers syndrome there is not a great understanding of the condition the more people become aware and understand the better

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My wonderful grandson is Autistic., and there are so many good people out there doing these bit to help others....

So let's all join them

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By *av1970Man
over a year ago

Tattershall

Sounds like a good plan to me admin

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

My avatar is sorted and we have not heard from Admin about the "Lighting Fabs up Blue" but then i guess it's kind of blue anyway.

Thank you so much its a great response to something that i hold very dear to my heart. Ruby

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By *et a roomCouple
over a year ago

Leeds

Great idea for a great cause.

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By *j_markCouple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

Totteridge/Whetstone

We think this is a good cause, but time-wise, we're not going to be able to sort anything blue out side-wide in the next couple of days

If you want to show your support, why not do what JetAndRuby have done and put yourself wearing something blue as your avatar - seems like a great idea to help raise awareness

Admin x

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"We think this is a good cause, but time-wise, we're not going to be able to sort anything blue out side-wide in the next couple of days

If you want to show your support, why not do what JetAndRuby have done and put yourself wearing something blue as your avatar - seems like a great idea to help raise awareness

Admin x"

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By *ugby 123Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

O o O oo

Sorted mine

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Sorted mine "

Fookin hell ruggers where did you get such a cleavage?...

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman
over a year ago

evesham

blue shoes for now....will think of something better later

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By *exyfuncouple-40Couple
over a year ago

Bloxham


"We think this is a good cause, but time-wise, we're not going to be able to sort anything blue out side-wide in the next couple of days

If you want to show your support, why not do what JetAndRuby have done and put yourself wearing something blue as your avatar - seems like a great idea to help raise awareness

Admin x"

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By *ugby 123Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

O o O oo


"Sorted mine

Fookin hell ruggers where did you get such a cleavage?... "

You will either never make a good policeman or you have never visted our profile when my pics are up

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Sorted mine

Fookin hell ruggers where did you get such a cleavage?...

You will either never make a good policeman or you have never visted our profile when my pics are up "

First one your right and the last one.

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By *ugby 123Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

O o O oo

I guessed

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By *ot monkey71Couple
over a year ago

middlesbrough

Great idea, children and young adults with autism touch my heart every day. More support and awareness so important.

Ms

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"I guessed "

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have an autistic son and I am so proud of him. He is 21 now and life is hard but I wouldn't swap him for the world xxxcc please show your support on Wednesday xxx

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

nearest blue pic/avatar we had (albeit its the pool table in Partners club in Bury) ..... but with you all on this one

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

What a lovely idea!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Respect...

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

One day to go everyone. Please lets "light it up blue" for the 2nd April. Thank again for all your support xx

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Respect... "

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My blue effort up. Sorry not brill but its blue xx

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By *unforallfunformeMan
over a year ago

Edgware

I have an autistic son lets spread the word

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I'm using a previous forum challenge avatar but it's blue.....

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By *ickawitchCouple
over a year ago

Away with the fairies (Liverpool to you)

I am wearing blue all week

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


" I have an autistic son lets spread the word "

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have a son with asd & think its a great idea

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We work with adults with learning disabilities and autism I love it and wouldnt change what we do for anything in the world.xxxxx

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

On the eve of "World Autism Awareness Day" There is a programme on BBC2 at 9PM

Horizon "Living with Autism"

Could be good viewing for those that come face to face with Autism everyday of their lives.

Please Don't forget to "Light it up Blue" tomorrow for awareness

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

done a proper one .... (full size pic on our profile)... xxx

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"done a proper one .... (full size pic on our profile)... xxx"

Fabulous xx

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"done a proper one .... (full size pic on our profile)... xxx

Fabulous xx "

Thankyou ...... its the least we can do on here and hardly difficult to do.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Just caught up with this thread just now, but here's my contribution for a great cause

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

And mine

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"And mine "

You all look wonderful, but come on we could do better.......

It is the 2nd April now, and i would love to wish my Autistic daughter a very happy 15th birthday even though she knows not what it is,

Thank you Jet and Ruby xx

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By *odareyouMan
over a year ago

not far from iceland,,,,,, tescos is nearer though :-) (near leeds)

I know my avatar is only half Blue, you have my full support though,

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"And mine

You all look wonderful, but come on we could do better.......

It is the 2nd April now, and i would love to wish my Autistic daughter a very happy 15th birthday even though she knows not what it is,

Thank you Jet and Ruby xx"

Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter...

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By *ickawitchCouple
over a year ago

Away with the fairies (Liverpool to you)

Being blue all day for world autism awareness day

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Changed my pic in support xxx

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Changed avatar in support of this great cause xx

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My daughters on the autistic spectrum ADD..im fully in support too..something thats close to my heart?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Here's our support for World Autism Day today. Me (Portia) is both a parent and a sister to someone with the condition. Even though there is more awareness today compared to 30 years ago, we still have a long way to go for it to be accepted and support given to the suffers and families affected.

P x

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

It so lovely to see all the blue avatars, i shall remind you all again next year, thank's again from the bottom of my heart, I am now thinking about going into schools to promote "Awareness" because that is where i feel it should start, then maybe the name calling, the staring and all the odd comments you get from people that don't know or care will eventually peter out.... Ruby

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By *awk3y3Man
over a year ago

West Lothian

New avatar uploaded

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By *opinovMan
over a year ago

Point Nemo, Cumbria

It's so heartening to read all the supportive posts here, as well as all the blue avatars.

I know I'm paraphrasing and, to an extent, repeating what I wrote about this last year - specifically concerning having an Aspie child - but I think, given today is World Autism Day, it bears the repetition.

I have an autistic son and I spent many years as a stay-at-home-dad while my partner went to work, and I still take on most of the child rearing duties. Bringing up an autistic child is a lifetime's hard work, and every circumstance is as different as the personalities involved - the child, the parents and siblings ... friends, society. The journey isn't an easy one.

Part of the problem is that there are far too many myths accepted as wisdom and far too many people who've seen "Rain Man" and think they know what it means to be autistic. I imagine there are many parents out there who've rolled their eyes in the face of the many misconceptions that abound. Frankly, so much crap is spouted in the dumbed-down media about autism, and regurgitated by those who read it and think they know all about it all of a sudden, that it would be decidedly off-pissing if I hadn't learned to ignore it. The truth is that most NTs (neurotypicals, ie. non-autistic people) haven't the first idea of what it's like - including many who purport to be "professionals" in the field.

I know this because I'm also autistic. I've had to endure a lifetime of so-called experts trying to tell me what was going on inside my head and how I might best fit back into society ... all have been so far wide of the mark that I wonder who, exactly, confers upon them the mantle of "expert" and upon what virtue. I've had all the confusion and heartbreak of trying to integrate myself only to be misunderstood or ostracized for being too "shy" or "introverted" or "quiet" or "strange" or "detached" (or whatever the fuck else), whereupon I inevitably say "sod it" and give up trying to buy into all the mainstream bullshit about what it takes to be "happy" or, at the very least, "integrated" - when it's clear to me (and many others like me) that it's more often than not the prejudiced intransigence of NTs that cause a great deal of the unhappiness and disenfranchisement in the first place - and I end up asking to no avail: we accept your shortcomings so why can't you accept ours?

My upbringing was centred around the idea that I should "learn to be normal" when, in fact, I knew from an early age that I was already normal and everybody else was bordering on the insane. As time has gone by, I've realised that NTs are fixated upon the idea that Aspies should aim to be "cured" in order to rejoin society. However, most Aspies would argue that it is the NTs who need to be cured on the strength of the fucked up neurotic society they've created in which anyone who doesn't fit with their idea of "normal" is "damaged" somehow. I try to remind them that my view of the world is every bit as valid as theirs - it's just that I'm looking at things from a slightly different perspective.

This often leads me to take issue with the "D" in the ASD - as I see it, I and others like me don't consider ourselves to be victims of a "disorder" as much as being of a mind set which might be characterised loosely as having certain traits or proclivities that differ from the accepted norm - many of which are actually beneficial to the pursuit of numeracy, lateral thinking, creative composition, innovative design, artistic perception and the like. The Victorians recognised this and referred to what we now call Asperger's Syndrome as "the Engineer's Disease". In light of this, and considering that our screwed up world (environment, society, economy, etc.) is the product mainly of those whom convention calls "normal", I prefer to substitute the letter C in place of the D to denote the word "condition" or "characteristic" in place of "disorder".

That said, you might think that it would be easier to bring up an autistic child if you, yourself, are autistic - but please take my word that nothing could be further from the truth. My son is as different from me, in his view of the world, as I am from most NTs - and I'll admit it was quite a shock for me to realise this. There's no easy path, every person touched is different and the only reason we cope is because we have no choice. I can only suggest parents carry on talking with their children and doing whatever it takes to understand, and accept, their different view of the world. When they hit their teens, they're more than ever going to need you to be an understanding friend as well as a supportive mum or dad. Don't be afraid of their differences - embrace them, understand them and, above all, respect them.

Well, that's my take on it anyway. I hope nobody minds if I post a link to the National Autistic Society's donation page for those with a little spare change:

http://www.autism.org.uk/donatenow

Kop xx

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman
over a year ago

evesham

Bit late in the day but here is my much bluer blue pic for World Autism Day

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"It's so heartening to read all the supportive posts here, as well as all the blue avatars.

I know I'm paraphrasing and, to an extent, repeating what I wrote about this last year - specifically concerning having an Aspie child - but I think, given today is World Autism Day, it bears the repetition.

I have an autistic son and I spent many years as a stay-at-home-dad while my partner went to work, and I still take on most of the child rearing duties. Bringing up an autistic child is a lifetime's hard work, and every circumstance is as different as the personalities involved - the child, the parents and siblings ... friends, society. The journey isn't an easy one.

Part of the problem is that there are far too many myths accepted as wisdom and far too many people who've seen "Rain Man" and think they know what it means to be autistic. I imagine there are many parents out there who've rolled their eyes in the face of the many misconceptions that abound. Frankly, so much crap is spouted in the dumbed-down media about autism, and regurgitated by those who read it and think they know all about it all of a sudden, that it would be decidedly off-pissing if I hadn't learned to ignore it. The truth is that most NTs (neurotypicals, ie. non-autistic people) haven't the first idea of what it's like - including many who purport to be "professionals" in the field.

I know this because I'm also autistic. I've had to endure a lifetime of so-called experts trying to tell me what was going on inside my head and how I might best fit back into society ... all have been so far wide of the mark that I wonder who, exactly, confers upon them the mantle of "expert" and upon what virtue. I've had all the confusion and heartbreak of trying to integrate myself only to be misunderstood or ostracized for being too "shy" or "introverted" or "quiet" or "strange" or "detached" (or whatever the fuck else), whereupon I inevitably say "sod it" and give up trying to buy into all the mainstream bullshit about what it takes to be "happy" or, at the very least, "integrated" - when it's clear to me (and many others like me) that it's more often than not the prejudiced intransigence of NTs that cause a great deal of the unhappiness and disenfranchisement in the first place - and I end up asking to no avail: we accept your shortcomings so why can't you accept ours?

My upbringing was centred around the idea that I should "learn to be normal" when, in fact, I knew from an early age that I was already normal and everybody else was bordering on the insane. As time has gone by, I've realised that NTs are fixated upon the idea that Aspies should aim to be "cured" in order to rejoin society. However, most Aspies would argue that it is the NTs who need to be cured on the strength of the fucked up neurotic society they've created in which anyone who doesn't fit with their idea of "normal" is "damaged" somehow. I try to remind them that my view of the world is every bit as valid as theirs - it's just that I'm looking at things from a slightly different perspective.

This often leads me to take issue with the "D" in the ASD - as I see it, I and others like me don't consider ourselves to be victims of a "disorder" as much as being of a mind set which might be characterised loosely as having certain traits or proclivities that differ from the accepted norm - many of which are actually beneficial to the pursuit of numeracy, lateral thinking, creative composition, innovative design, artistic perception and the like. The Victorians recognised this and referred to what we now call Asperger's Syndrome as "the Engineer's Disease". In light of this, and considering that our screwed up world (environment, society, economy, etc.) is the product mainly of those whom convention calls "normal", I prefer to substitute the letter C in place of the D to denote the word "condition" or "characteristic" in place of "disorder".

That said, you might think that it would be easier to bring up an autistic child if you, yourself, are autistic - but please take my word that nothing could be further from the truth. My son is as different from me, in his view of the world, as I am from most NTs - and I'll admit it was quite a shock for me to realise this. There's no easy path, every person touched is different and the only reason we cope is because we have no choice. I can only suggest parents carry on talking with their children and doing whatever it takes to understand, and accept, their different view of the world. When they hit their teens, they're more than ever going to need you to be an understanding friend as well as a supportive mum or dad. Don't be afraid of their differences - embrace them, understand them and, above all, respect them.

Well, that's my take on it anyway. I hope nobody minds if I post a link to the National Autistic Society's donation page for those with a little spare change:

http://www.autism.org.uk/donatenow

Kop xx "

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