Bullying, Abuse, and Autism: a survey

» Bullying & Abuse: Introduction » About being Bullied, by Anon THE SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED. Thank you very much to everyone who took part. Ad hoc results are being tweeted @spectrum_life, and full results will be published in due course. If you would like to take part in future research, please subscribe to our … Read more Bullying, Abuse, and Autism: a survey


It’s no Excuse

excuse noun /iks-kūz’/* 1. A plea offered in extenuation or explanation, in order to avoid punishment. 2. Pardon or forgiveness. 3. Indulgence. ORIGIN: Latin excusare, from ex from, and causa, a cause or accusation. Excuses are emotionally charged things, in search of absolution. They are what we offer when we’re trying to “get away with” … Read more It’s no Excuse


A-Z of Autism

A is for Autism, Asperger’s, Aspies, Ability, Abuse, Attwood, Acceptance. B is for Bullying. C is for Clumsiness, Communication, Colour, Crowds, Confusion, Claustrophobia. D is for Detail, Diagnosis, Doctors, Depression, Disability, Distress. E is for Education, Employment. F is for Focus, Fascination, Friends. G is for Genetics. H is for Humiliation, Honesty, Headphones, Humour. I … Read more A-Z of Autism


Living the Nightmare

I am almost always trying to achieve something in dreams, and other people are ‘getting in my way’, usually physically (physically blocking me), or bureaucratically (I’m sorry, madam, you can’t do that), or a combination of the two. Dreamworld expectations are always realistic and reasonable – like I just need to get through a barrier … Read more Living the Nightmare


Finally, it All Added Up

  I didn’t do well at school, and I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. It wasn’t until after my diagnosis (at the age of forty), whilst reading the list of suggested professions in Tony Attwood’s The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome, that I finally realised what I could have … Read more Finally, it All Added Up


Why a Good Friend is Like a Good Cup of Coffee

  Having been brought up on a diet of instant coffee and bullies, I disliked both coffee and people. There was never any point giving either of them a second chance; why bother when you know you’re going to hate the experience? Besides, before I could ever try (or retry) anything new, I had to … Read more Why a Good Friend is Like a Good Cup of Coffee


Education. Education. Education.

  My Asperger’s diagnosis has brought many issues to the fore, not least my pitiful state of education. Despite my love affair with learning, I have only the barest formal qualifications. I try not to be bitter about the delay in my diagnosis and that I received no support at school, either educationally, or pastorally: … Read more Education. Education. Education.


Hello, my name’s Leigh, and I’m an…

I’m an aspie. There, I said it. It was on the 16th November 2010, at 1.05pm, when I was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. I cried. It was a life-changing moment, but also a (albeit, harrowing) confirmation of a long-held suspicion, and not a surprise. It has been a surprise for many others, though – those … Read more Hello, my name’s Leigh, and I’m an…