I know that you are very well aware of how people on the autism spectrum deal (or don’t) with disappointment if you care for one or know one in person.

We have just had the school nurse now and it was an excellent meeting. She made some very good suggestions and I thought I might share some of it with you.

When we went to get Johnathan assessed to see if he was on the autism spectrum, one of the things said to me was that anyone on the spectrum didn’t have imagination.

And you’re thinking “What on earth is she talking about? Runner or stayer? And combine it with autism? All children run from their parents at some point or other!

I have spoken about how autism can bring terrible rage and frustration in meltdowns. Accompanying that can be head banging.

This is quite an interesting one when you consider the fact that there are already issues with speech already.

I was talking to a friend this morning and she was talking to me about her grandson. He’s about a year old and getting very interested in things.

I don’t know how much you know about frustration levels and autism, but it can be the thing that leads to a meltdown.

Have you ever thought a child has done something really weird and for no reason that you can see at all?

I guess this is quite a weird one for me to write about. You see, neither Kevin nor Johnathan believed in friendship particularly, or were bothered by it.

Masking? What is it? Well, you can be glad that I am here to give you the answer to that. It’s not a subject often raised to parents who don’t have children on the spectrum.

This has definitely been a weird day for us. There are so many things you do without thinking as parents/carer/guardian.

One thing I would like to talk about is the impact on (ok I’m going to use this word for ease in the post) carers who is looking after a person with autism. Because, you see, it often doesn’t end.

was asking one of my friends if she felt that meltdowns were anxiety from her experiences?

Why black and white thinking? It’s the way that people on the spectrum think. I must admit, it can and has caused some problems or difficulties.

Today I want to talk to you about development and the autism spectrum because they develop in different ways and times to other children.

Have you ever seen a meltdown that just seems to go on and on and on? The ones that can take up loads of your time and energy?

I will admit that these two things are one of the areas I find difficult to deal with. But I do know that is my problem and not theirs.

You probably have realised that most babies and children like to look in your face and not only at what they are doing or what is in front of them.

Some years ago, I was going to do some artwork in an app on my ipad, using a photo of me holding Johnathan in my left arm and the top of his head and face was near me.