Alyson Bradley

Recent Activity

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  Alyson commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  Aspies, Psychos, Stigma, and...Donuts?

  I wonder how many individuals would think we were to "too sensitive" or taking the situation "too seriously" if they had to walk in our shoes for a while, the amount of abusive, discrimination I have received since being diagnosed unbelievable, its like people think I should keep pretending live a lie and of course they have no idea what that is like, every reminder of an invisible misunderstood difference certainly does not help, as many of us already suffer anxiety exposure from society itself.

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  Alyson commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  Once Upon a Time, I Tried to Recover My Son From Autism

  Elesia I so agree with you, I have been on all sorts of diets of course at the time if a good diet you feel better, and I know many people on or off the autism spectrum who are on the GFCF diet, some have to be and some do not, of course individuals may benefit from there diets on or off the autism spectrum. But no diet changes who we are, every child grows adapts and changes, whatever you do or do not do, privileged or not... just like medication a choice!

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  Alyson commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  Ability and Vulnerability

  Two words "Anixeity Exposure" and feel all of us with invisible differences will continue to feel at odds in a world that contionues to stereo type and not allow and accpt difference and diversity unless its spelled out and even then many just find hard to understand our autistic differences... at times I feel my only answer would be to live a world within a world and feel like Susan Boyle in a way, when my life in order and can just focus and do things my way works, once I step to far out into the real world the anixety and stress mounts...
  
  I feel this article helps explain this somewhat, how we do not just hear, but sense and get easly overloaded in a society that often does not understand or see our invisible differences...  A Radical New Autism Theory (Overload of emotions!)http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-05-11/a-radical-new-autism-theory/full/

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  Alyson commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  Too Many Meds?

  I so agree no one should be judged, but people should be given clear choices and  know all the impacts and long term effects of drugs on children, I know this is not always possible as no one knows some of the long term effects yet!
  
  But it does worry me that childrens medication keeps recently reaching the headlines:
   Celexa proved ineffective for treatment of autism:
  http://www.examiner.com/x-9121-LA-Special-Needs-Kids-Examiner~y2009m6d1-Celexa-proved-ineffective-for-treatment-of-autism
  ADHD treatment causes young boys to develop
  http://asplanet.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=117&Itemid=162
  
  Some one needs to highlight these matters more, as the drug companies are usually the last, too much money involved!
  

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  Alyson commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  What's Missing from Airline Access

  For me having quite areas before our fights, helps relieve sensory, overload and stress before we have to be confined on any aeroplane.
  
  For adults and children alike, maybe a tick box saying we are on the autism spectrum and being seated with like minded individuals would help us and parents with children on the autism spectrum, as could help each other.
  
  Being given privilege to any additional space as being confined into a small space with strangers, as the close contact can bring on extreme stress and anxiety for many of us...
  
  The security another big issue, our  naivety often gets gets us in trouble!  ww.asplanet.info

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  Alyson commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  Really Big Numbers: The "Costs" of Autism

  We should not be labelled as a cost, we should just be as we just are... but while others do  not allow, accept, understand the huge autistic brilliant spectrum will will continue to be a burden.
  
  Things can only change once we are accepted , allowed and understood... but for some reason difference seems to scare many, but that's only because real positive understand and awareness is not out there... like:
  
  "THE POSITIVES are what also often distinguishes us, here are just a few words that come to mind in my opinion, which of course vary as we do: Honesty, genuine, dependable, integrity, reliable, loyal, trustworthy, non judgmental, free of many prejudices, sensitive, very accepting of other differences. We pay attention to detail and often notice things others may miss, will stick to the facts if feel others are wrong, principles. We can be a little over enthusiasm and have a great need for knowledge which often may seem to outsiders obsessive research. Of course this can lead to all sorts of talents when encouraged, as often interesting, complex and intelligent, creative in our own differencing ways and for some of us at times feel we are ahead of our years in some respects!
  
  Autism never boring, as autism spectrum disorders are illusive because they are not identifiable by a common trait or behavior and no one strategy works for all of them. We have ability to love totally, unconditionally, live in a moment, less materialistic.  We can be in our own company for hours and not feel lonely and have great conversations with ourselves. We were born to think "outside of the box" open new doors for none autistic individuals, and even though the characteristic traits of autism can make life difficult and uncomfortable at times, they have been responsible for some of the world's greatest achievements throughout history - intense focus and potential to become leaders rather than followers. 
  
  So why on earth are we a cost, when none autistic individuals continue not to be in the same terms, time to integrate us into society after all we are human!
  

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  Alyson commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  One Year Later: Alex Barton

  I may be an adult now, but was a child myself once and can totally understand the bullying and how our misinterpreted difference often. But at times its beyond me how bad it continues to be in this day and age, beyond belief:
  "mistakenly believe autism is a behavioral issue that can be corrected with disciplinary methods."
  
  To me its simply unfortunately many in the none autistic community create our problems and then blame us.
  just one of many examples I could give:
  i.e. child starts school, is overwhelmed, sensory overloads and instead of being taken to a quite area to help calm child, the child so often gets told off and of course then out of usually a misunderstood difference, frustration, anger sets in leading to shutdown, meltdown or simply withdrawal, that's what I use to do... and then the child gets labelled a difficult child with behaviour problems!
  
  As for myself as a child
  "I was born different, as a child it was hard everyone telling me no, no, no without understanding me.. as a child I got bored so easily, i didn't play up for attention, I just needed things to do, others to understand and allow. Still as an adult now I am like an over active computer at times and do not switch off easily, so before you judge or tell me off - PLEASE try and understand my differences, as any misunderstood difference is damaging and will only caused me more frustration and you more pain...!"
  Sadly because others can not cope with my extremely fast processing skills and the way I do things, they hold me at arms length, maybe its them that can not understand or cope with me, but they should at least try and understand , allow and accept...  Aspergers Parallel Planet - www.asplanet.info
  
  Please none autistic individuals you really need to listen to those of us on the autism spectrum if not for our sake, but the sake of every individual autistic child...
  
  

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  Alyson commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  What's Missing from Airline Access

  Yet again people only seem willing to include us on their terms, the more I advocate the more frustrating and isolating it becomes... and have found generally the none autistic community (generally speaking here as I also have a none autistic son, one of each lucky me) unfortunately only seem to want to listen if we spell things out on there therms, in their way, not ours... but after a life time of trying so hard to fit, pretending I no longer wish to, where does that leave me, I guess the majority see it as my problem, my fight... but as some one said to me the other day  "Truth goes through 3 phases, it is ridiculed, Denied and finally made self-evident.." so I guess the only thing we can all do is to continue to speak out and keep doing so until good positive world wise awareness and action happens, on autistic individuals terms, not everyone else's!
  Alyson Bradley www.asplanet.info, speaking out at times a lonely journey but a necesary one...
  

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  Alyson commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  What Is Autism?

  With so many descriptions of autism no wonder some are confussed, I only wished the correct information is all that was out there, nicely put together...

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  Alyson commented on the article | almost 3 years ago

  It's Time to Go Beyond Autism Awareness

  Posted by Kristina Chew "Our hope is to one day literally run _with_ Charlie in a race----let us know how yours goes."
  
  I have not been back long from one of my most special moments ever, today I felt so allowed, alive and all I can say right now is brilliant every child, individual came together, we planted a seed and it grew so much more than we could of ever imagine... parents of autistic children please do not doult what your children can do, I saw so much joy and at the finish line so much pride, well over 1,000 nearing  2,000 do not yet know numbers but that does not matter, hardly a child sensory overloaded and the odd child that did we had a resource for that, it was a place and a chance for many just to be and I feel so privileged to have been able to help arrange such an event... it has open my eyes to see that there really needs to be many more events that are inclusive, where parents can just relax and not worry and every difference is allowed. And it was great to be in the majority myself, and I felt a real sense and connection with those special individuals today....
  
  I know so much more still needs to be done, but I also believe awareness is key world wide first... www.asplanet.info