Watched a fascinating documentary last night and thought of you and your fobs.
Louis Theroux: Extreme Love - Autism
Quote:
In America nearly one child in a hundred is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder - a brain disorder characterised by an inability to socialise and communicate.
Louis travels to DLC Warren in New Jersey, one of the most innovative autism schools of its kind, to find out how specialised intervention can help both the children and the families who care for them.
He meets Joey, whose mother Carol is finding it increasingly hard to cope with some of the more challenging aspects of his disorder. In between the ever more explosive tantrums, Louis discovers a cheeky and charming 13-year-old, but there are tough decisions ahead about his future in the family home.
Nicky is 19. After making good progress at DLC Warren he is about to leave, but the prospect of change leads to increasing anxiety and erratic behaviour. Surrounded by a loving family who say they wouldn't have him any other way, he shows Louis his novel Dragonula and invites him to share his first day at his new school.
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There were a few other kids. Each very different (obviously!) and facing different challenges and prospects.
What was really lovely was how well Louis seemed to connect with some of the kids. There was real warmth.
But what was really interesting was seeing what the reality is for many parents of children on the autistic spectrum. They didn't really look much at dietary stuff or the GI problems. There's only so much you can do in a single docu. But they did show a lot of the practical issues facing some autistic children and their families. Heartbreaking in places. But also quite tender.
I did find myself sitting there thinking....nooooo don't give them that cupcake packet mix to make in their lifeskills classes... read Clod's blog damnit!
But yeah. Really interesting. Set me to wondering how your littleuns are getting on?