Never fulfilling the criteria

Some of you may have read my post “Help me to reveal the bigger picture this world autism day” which I posted no longer than a few days back. I wrote the post in an attempt to gather others by my side, in-order to help me pull of a great idea for this World Autism Awareness day (April 2nd 2012)

For those that didn’t read the post, please do, you can find it HERE.

A very quick summary… Basically I’m trying to encourage people to wear something that contains the colours of the awareness puzzle or ribbon. Maybe one of the two symbols on a tee-shirt, face paints, a home-made funky eye mask, etc… it’s totally up to you just be creative! Next write the words”Doing it for World Autism 2012″on a large piece of card and hold it up. Lastly, regardless of where in the world you are, snap a picture.

This is aimed at all, especially those who don’t have a child, partner, relative on the autism spectrum, as well as those that do! Bloggers, especially mummy & daddy bloggers, health bloggers, autism activist etc, can then upload pic onto their site/blog with small description stating that they are doing it to raise awareness for autism. I’ll add a link to my blog and everyone can submit links to linky.

Would love you to also tweet pics and messages using hash tag #worldautism2012 on Twitter

Those that love to network on Facebook, can upload to there profiles or pages tagging the page A boy with Aspergers, which is the fan page connected to my blog and has become a support haven for almost 5,000 members, who are looked after by myself and a great group of admins who have stuck with it throughout.

I’m hoping to get enough images of people around the world dressed proudly in their autism bright’s with a board in their hands. Why… Because I’ll make this into an awesome awareness collage!

For the full details please check the link, as given above!

Now, that’s done, I wanted to touch on yet another issue That I raised within that very same post a few days back!

Those who read, will know that I gave some examples to demonstrate how the word mild, when used with High functioning autism and Aspergers Syndrome, can all to often be seen in the wrong light, resulting in likely misconceptions, causing many distressing situations for those on the higher end of the autism spectrum. This is mainly due to the term mild being widely used to describe the intellectual side of asperger’s and HF autism which then leads people to dismiss every trait to be that of mild! I tried to demonstrate how this is rarely the case when it comes to the social aspect of HF autism and Aspergers.

Now, I did go off to bed late last night, questioning whether I made my point clear enough, explained it as well as I could have! Some fans on Facebook stated I hit the nail on the head where others couldn’t get passed the need to compare Aspergers to what some describe as classic autistic (lower functioning) I did point out that those with autism often get stuck in their own world where’s those with Aspergers often (well, at some point) realise they are different! they want to socialise and just cannot do so, this can cause great depression within the child.

Now to cut to the chase and reframe from writing that whole essay of a post all over again,I’m here today because I came across a news story that highlights the importance of the issues I raised last time… When I asked you.. “would u use the world “mild” to describe…”

Now I ask you the same with another example, one that was reported within the news. I ask does the article you are about to read represent the word “Mild”?

A 11-year-old boy diagnosed as having Aspergers Syndrome was reported to have run away from home because he was struggling to cope with his autism!

The report told how a massive police search was put in place when the child known as Ben, went missing from his bed sometime during the night. He was found to be missing at 7am in the morning when his parents went to wake him for school!

Ben had left a handwritten note which stated that he did not wish to be found!

His father reports how his son Ben who is diagnosed as having Aspergers syndrome, suffers from anxiety and was particularly anxious due to the Sports day taking place at the school which he attends.

Ben’s parents state that “Ben running away is part of an inability to cope with certain social
situations and pressures, which is part of his condition.”

However it was noted that Ben had never ran away before, making this extremely worrying for his parents and everybody else involved.

A huge search was underway when Ben was thankfully spotted by officers who were searching above by helicopter in Elloughton Dales just after 10am.

It is said that Ben told his parents that he had planned to return home later that day.

Ben himself, is a child who has tried to raise awareness for his condition! It has been reported that Ben previously worked raising awareness for autism as part of the Lifestyle Project, organised by Humberside Police.

As I continued on Reading the article, I sadly discovered something that although unfair and anger provoking, it came as no surprise to me whatsoever!

Ben’s father told reporters, that his son is currently under the care of a paediatric consultant, but has only now, since the incident, been offered more help!!

An all to often situation, parents asking for help before the child in question gets into a worrying or dangerous situation, only any previous request are outrightly declined, with the explanation always the same… Your child nor family fit our “criteria” therefore you’re not eligible for support!

Yes, it was reported that Ben’s parents expressed concerns for their child many times, they were noted to be constantly asking for support for Ben, they fought for Ben, though in the end, it took a situation that could have ended so much worse, for that criteria to finally be
met! severe

After Ben’s return his family contacted their local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, known to most as (CAMHS) to demand support for Ben, which was thankfully agreed.

The parents wanted to thank the public, family and friends for support. There was also words of thanks for the guys in blue for their fast and efficient response that lead to Ben’s safe return home.

It was reported within the article that CAMHS had made the following statement.

“A spokeswoman for Humber NHS Foundation Trust said: “All referrals to our CAMHS team come either through a professional, such as a school nurse, who has concerns about a young person’s mental or emotional health and would contact one of our primary mental health workers, or through the family’s GP”

Finishing by saying

“All referrals are considered by the multi-disciplinary team to decide on the appropriate care route for the young person.”

This is just one more example of why we need to be heard, Ben like many others, my own child included, deserve a happy childhood, after all this is what every child should have!

Those older Adults on the spectrum, also deserve good decent services, support, recognition and acceptance.

Please wear your colour and hold up your board this World Autism
Awareness day 2012 due to kick off on the 2nd of April.

Also I’d love you to right-click and save the art work, save and display. If so, thank you that is very kind of you all.

You can read the full article from which I sourced this information by clicking HERE and see

Related articles

• Help Me Reveal The Bigger Picture This World Autism Day (aspergersinfo.wordpress.com)
• Weekly Whirl – World Autism Awareness Day is 1 Month Away! (autismspeaks.org)
• Teaching Aspergers Children Self-Care Skills (eoghann.com)