The Wallpapering Society

Autism neighbourhood, a source of videos about autism with a positive attitude.

http://www.autismneighborhood.org

This article was published in New York magazine a few days ago and is receiving a lot of attention.

Here it is: http://nymag.com/news/features/47225/

I think it is well researched and written. I enjoyed how the author compared his interviews among all the different opinions in the world of autism to watching Wimbledon, giving him a pain in the neck. I did not enjoy him calling severe autism “ghastly” but that criticism is well echoed in the comments and other referring blogs. The sensibility and objectiveness with which the whole of the article is constructed makes up for it, in my mind. It also made me realise that I honestly do not want to be known as an activist but rather a pacifist. It’s ugly out there… with the mercury/vaccine activists fighting the genetic cure activists and both of them in a war with the autism rights activists typing powerblog entries: I wish there was a simpler, more love-filled way to dissolve the sadness that society brings to autistics, and the ugly that autism seems to bring out in people without autism.

Adi

This view is Adi’s and not necessarily a reflection of opinions held by any other members of the Wallpapering Society.

Hi all

The Dylan movie “I’m not there” is showing at the Labia, so we can thankfully avoid the crowds at the Waterfront/Cavendish. And pay less.

So, please put in your diaries:

Monday 2 June @ 20:30 @ The Labia on Orange @ R25/person

I suggest we meet from 20h00 onwards in the Labia foyer.

Please remember:

• our outings are open to friends and family members
• to let me know if you need a lift
• if you are having trouble paying for your ticket and the cup of coffee afterwards, you need to contact me and I’ll see if we can make a plan. On the other hand, if you can sponsor someone, also let me know (R50 or so should do it)

I hope you can all make it! Looking forward to it. The previews that I’ve seen have been great.

Have a lovely week,

Adi - adi@aspie.co.za

I spoke at Autism Action’s event today, at St Cyprians School. Herewith a couple of important links:

• We ran out of handouts (which was really cool), so here it is electronically: Handout. It includes a full copy of Jim Sinclair’s writing “Don’t Mourn For Us”, of which the original was sourced from here. He just says things much better than I ever could. More of his writings are accessible here.
• I also attach a transcript of my speech: Progressing from A to Be.
• If you are just starting on the journey of exploring the web, other links that I would suggest you have a look at, are available here.
• I put some quotes on our handouts, but there are more here.

For everyone that supported me today: THANK YOU. I am available at adi@aspie.co.za if you would like to make contact.

The usual disclaimer: The speech was done in my private capacity and what I said did not necessarily reflect all members of the Wallpapering Society’s views.

Our next meeting will be Monday 14 April at 19:00 for 19:30 at Vista Nova Primary School - driving instructions and a map are available here.

We will chat about an amazing presentation by Dr John F Demartini that we attended a while back, where he balanced the condition of ”Attention Deficit Disorder” with “Attention Surplus Order”, which (probably unknowingly for the speaker) tied in beautifully with the hyperfocus and special interest themes our lives are so colourfully flavoured with.

Please confirm attendance with us if you have never been before.

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Agenda
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19:00 Arrive, coffee & snacks

19:30 Introductions & check-in’s

20:00 Sharing session on: ADD vs ASO

21:00 Upcoming events:

• Movie: I’m not there (a film concerning Bob Dylan)
• Autism Action’s “Dazlious” event at St Cyprians on 19 April

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21:30 Wallpapering & other post-meeting activities, if anyone feels like it
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Our next meeting will be Monday 31 March at 19:00 for 19:30 at Vista Nova Primary School - driving instructions and a map are available here.

We will chat about our group’s purpose and agenda and also have a sharing session on “Frustrations & Irritations”.

Please confirm attendance with us if you have never been before.

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Agenda
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19:00 Arrive, coffee & an optional glass of champagne to celebrate our new venue, Vista Nova!

19:30 Introductions & sharing of thoughts on: Our group’s purpose & agenda

20:00 Sharing session on: Frustrations & Irritations

21:00 Upcoming events:

• Movie: The Diving Bell & The Butterfly
• Vera School Media Centre
• SciFest 2008 in Grahamstown
• Autreat (USA) & Autscape (UK) 2008

21:15 Formalise next meeting’s agenda & close
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21:30 Wallpapering & other post-meeting activities, if anyone feels like it
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A couple of us are going to see this movie on Sunday 6 April 2008.

We are meeting at the Cinema Nouveau in the Waterfront at 14:30 for 15:00. If you need a lift or any more info, please send me an email before Sunday.

A brief synopsis of the movie, taken from this article:

“…the film tells the story of Bauby, the onetime editor-in-chief of Elle France who suffered a stroke that rendered him paralyzed except for his left eye. He learned to communicate via a series of blinks that represented letters of the alphabet and dictated his memoir in that fashion. ” - Variety.com, written by DADE HAYES, ANNE THOMPSON

More info:

• Movie’s homepage
• Reviews and a 94% rating on RottenTomatoes.com
• Trailer on YouTube

A couple of us will be attending this. Please let us know if you are interested too & we can all go together.

Attention Surplus Order (AS0)
Tackling ADHD/ADD and Learning ‘Difficulties’ From the Inside Out

We are quick to apply labels and prescribe medicine but is it possible that there may be a different way in which to deal with learning difficulties such as ADHD/ADD?

If a child has attention deficit disorder then how is it possible that they can sit in front of a television for hours on end playing video games focused, or with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder they can play sports focused and are able to function at optimal performance? What if we discovered how to re-structure our communication to tap into their value system and we discovered that the child previously switched off becomes switched on, focused and driven?

Our next meeting will be Monday 17 March at 19:00 for 19:30 at Jana Forrester’s practice in Rosebank.

We will have a presentation and discussion on Asperger’s resources: Books & the Web. Feel free to bring your books and good website url’s along!

Please confirm attendance with us if you have never been before.

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                      Agenda
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19:00 Arrive, coffee & check-in
19:30 Asperger’s books discussion
20:00 Asperger’s resources on the web
20:45 Discuss
21:15 Formalise next meeting agenda & close
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21:30 Wallpapering & other post meeting activities
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Our next meeting is:

Wednesday 5 March, 19:30 - 21:30
EMDC Central, Newlands Office
Corner of Main Street and Kildare Road (Right across the road from Barristers)

If anyone needs a lift, please email Adi .

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Agenda
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19:30 Arrive, welcome & coffee
19:45 Introductions
20:00 Group kick-off logistics

• How often?
• Where?
• Who is invited?
• Why do we meet?
• What do we do?
• How do we keep in touch?
• A name for the group
• Official/unofficial roles (e.g. chairperson, librarian, webmaster etc.)
• Possible future events (Sensory workshop, talks, outings etc.)

21:15 Formalise next meeting agenda

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