An Aspergirl reviewing an ebook about an Asperboy

I have just read a really interesting ebook about a mother finding out her son has Asperger's Syndrome and how her and her family coped with bringing him up. The book is called 'David's Gift - Asperger's Syndrome' and is by Sally Thibault (I think that's how it's spelt). It is a memoir based on her life of finding out her son, David, has Asperger's and how her and her family coped with it as he got older. At home, at schools and colleges. Reading it, a few things struck me that were how I cope with it. Here are the things:

1. When David had to think, he went into their garden and walked round their tree. Connecting with nature. I have found this does help me when I start to get a sensory overload. The air and space frees my mind and calms me down. This piece of the book has given me the idea for an article I want to write about how nature can  help sensory issues. Still finding a magazine who might want such an article.

2. When David had a project to do that he liked, he concentrated and focussed on it with intent. I know I do that. This is one that that Aspies are good at, as I have already mentioned in blogs and videos.

3. This focus on something that you like can get good results with jobs that interest you. In the book, Sally tells us that David is now wanting a job to do with videos and computers, something he is really interested in. For me, that would me writing and marketing. Both which I know I focus on when I am doing it. I know with writing, when I start to get into the flow, I don't want to be interrupted (maybe that could be the same for all writers).

All in all, this was a really interesting book for me to read. From personal experience and my memories of my own childhood, I feel that boys with Asperger's react differently to things than girls with Asperger's do. Please correct me if I am wrong.

If you have Asperger's or a child with Asperger's, I recommend you read this book.

Eating dinner out with food intolerances

Continuing my series about eating with food intolerances. Last month I went out twice and had dinner out. The first time was for a social (where I met the publisher). I actually looked on the pub's website to see what they cooked for food intolerances. There was only a few things that were dairy free but I decided to try the skinny steak and chips. I didn't know what the chips were cooked in but I like steak and chips. Here is the photo of what I ate.

 

I only had slight side effects from it but nothing major like I  have had before when I've eaten a lot of chips. I didn't eat the greens in the bowl on the plate, as I can't eat those, but I did eat the cherry tomatoes.

Next was a SCBWI masterclass. We preordered from a set menu. I chose the handmade burger with chips, without a roll. I enjoyed the meal, when chips finally were served to me, but was disappointed with the service which I thought was slow esp when the burger was served without the chips, like it had been on previous classes. No side effects from that at all. I was meant to have bacon with the tomatoes below but that never came, which really was a good thing as it made the meal a bit healthier to eat.

 

So, there you have it. What I ate on two events, and how it effected me or not. I think it is a good idea that pub's have their menus on the web so people can decide what they can eat before they go there. So well done both pubs for this.

Graphic novels - an early memory

Continuing the theme of graphic novels. I am now going to talk about my early memories of reading them. When I say novels, I mean comics, as they are thin graphic novels. I remember reading Beano and Dandy at the same time as my older brother. I don't recall reading things such as Jackie and My Guy. I liked annuals, too. I do remember reading the small graphic stories by Jackie etc. I used to collect them. They were a bit like pocket novels. Does any one remember what they were called? There is one I remember well. It was about four girls who liked different things eg reading, sports and they all went to jobs they thought were suited to them. The girl who liked reading ended up reading books instead of working and went to another job.  There was only one time that I did buy My Guy, and that was when they reprinted the story with Tony Hadley in. I was a huge fan of Spandau Ballet at the time, and anything with them in I collected.

So, that is my early memory of graphic novels. What is yours? What did you like best? Let me know.