Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

1 2 3 4

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

SN children

Programme about autism?

91 replies

snuggles3 · 18/12/2006 09:48

Hi all

I breifly saw a programme advertised thats going to be on boxing day? I think its was called raising Thomas or about Thomas, i didnt catch what channel or time, anyone heard about it? I will prob record it cus it will be a bit to emotional for me to watch.

OP posts:

Report

PeachyIsNowAChristmasFruit · 18/12/2006 18:07

Is aw that advertised too, boxing day. Dh and I were chattinga nd stopped ead for the ad. We'll be at Mum's so don't know if we'll get to see it, hope so but dad has a very interesting preference fror C5 films.

macwoozy · 18/12/2006 18:25

They interviewed the parents and the child on 'This Morning', well I say child but he's about 18 now. He eventually went to mainstream and gained 6 or so GCSE's. He spoke to Philip Scholfield and although he spoke a bit hesitantly he came across quite well, but then you can't gain too much from watching a 5 minute interview. I'd like to see it.

emmalou78 · 19/12/2006 15:01

'After Thomas'
which I'll watch, and hope my mother isn't...
or she'll buy us a dog to cure d2 with.

bananasinpyjamas · 20/12/2006 23:04

The dog bit concerns me a bit too. I know I've only seen the trailor but maybe my efforts at looking in to intensive play, ABA, son rise, ASD unit, PECS etc.... are fruitless. Its the fact I don't have a dog. That could make all the difference!!! I know I'm judging the program before its been aired but am hoping it'll be good. Anything to raise the profile and help joe public understand.

SantasFattymumma · 20/12/2006 23:32

Don't knock the power of pets.

My sons communication came on leaps and bounds when we bought a dog. and he started to be more interested in playing with other children. He still couldnt actually manage meaningfull play but the interest was there...and it hadn't been before.

I certainly don't think its a cure all but i do believe that pets can be a good thing.

I wont watch it though i may try and get it taped. its all a bit too close to home really. i always find something that irritates me in these programmes.

tobysmumkent · 20/12/2006 23:42

Message withdrawn

Jimjams2 · 21/12/2006 00:02

Some countries have assistance dogs for autism. GUide dogs for the blind in Ireland has a programme for example. I was quite interested for ds1 as it would be a way of allowing us to walk down the street without having to hold onto him (he would be tethered to the dog who would be on a lead held by me ) Unfortunately he seems to have suddenly pretty much overnight gone off fur in a big way and shrieks if the cat comes near him and kind of slithers out of the way. Same with dogs he sees in the street (he used to just ignore them pretty much- didn't mind them sniffing him etc) Hey ho!

FioFio · 21/12/2006 07:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

snuggles3 · 21/12/2006 09:57

Ds1 does love animals, but i dont think i will rush out and get one just yet, i dont know though, i would if i knew it might help him, i didnt realise it was about a dog called Thomas.

OP posts:

snuggles3 · 21/12/2006 09:58

I hope its good aswell, and i hope it helps people to understand autism. Still going to tape it and watch later though.

OP posts:

mamadadawahwah · 21/12/2006 11:36

Well we just got a dog last month and today its in the paper for SALE. Poop and pee everywhere and my boy has no interest. I am trying to potty train my son and dont have time to potty train the pup!!

We got the dog given to us by someone whose dog has a big litter and this was the runt. We thought it would manifest some interest in our boy but no luck there. Maybe he is too young.

snuggles3 · 21/12/2006 13:46

Well ive just read in the tv mag that the programme after Thomas is based on true story and is a real weepy, just warning you ahead. x

OP posts:

FioFio · 21/12/2006 14:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

COPPERfeelunderSantasTOP · 21/12/2006 16:33

Ds2 loves dogs but ds1 is still very nervous around them. I'm not sure ds2 quite realises that people and dogs don't speak the same language. A dog was barking out of a car window on Monday:

Ds2: What is he saying?

Me: He's barking.

Ds2: But what is he saying?

Me (feeling somewhat stupid): Woof woof

Ds2 (exasperated): Yes but WHAT IS HE SAYING?

SantasFattymumma · 21/12/2006 18:22

hmm i think it was probably a bad idea to get a puppy when you are already trying to potty train a child.

Im assuming the fact that the puppy would need training was not a surprise to you.

Whilst i disagree totally with the sale of puppies i hope he finds a new home with someone who can offer him the tine and energy he needs.

mamadadawahwah · 21/12/2006 22:37

As far as dogs go, my kid comes first. The dog was given to us because no one else would take it. I had my reservations about it in the first place. It wasnt a doggie for christmas, it was a doggie for October and I am sick of it. Found a buyer with 2 older kids who fell in love with it.

The fact i am quids in, sweetens the deal and makes up for the anxiety it caused. Good riddance puppy.

bananasinpyjamas · 21/12/2006 23:11

A friend told me a story the other day not about a boy with autism or a dog but a cat and a boy with no special needs.
Cat was coughing, think it had a hair ball, child was looking at cat very intently. Cat continues to cough as if clearing throat. After short while child says "hello" to cat. Apparently child thought cat was gonna speak!!
Tickled me!!
As Santasfatty momma says don't knock the power of pets!!

amyclaire85 · 22/12/2006 15:42

We have a 4yr old staffie who my ds1 adores but likes head-butting on many occasions! Luckily the dog doesn't mind- well he hasn't gone for the jugular yet!
Can be a pain in the bum though as when ds is eating I have to keep dog away in kitchen as ds thinks it is very funny to feed ALL his lunch/dinner to the dog. who of course scoffs it all.

emmalou78 · 22/12/2006 18:47

Pets can be a wonderful thing, and i'm sure having one does really help some children with ASD, I am just cynical and sceptical of the whole 'and then we got a dog' set up the ads and reviews are creating... At the end of teh day its goign to raise awareness of ASD and that can only be a good thing, it just creates a whole new set of f*cking passer by experts! And I've been discussing this with my mum, and I do think if a child has the potential that boy obviously had to make such progress then with the right approaches nad interventions it will happen, for some kidsit could be a dog, it could just as easily be the moon on a stick though... its the right thing in the right place at the right time IYSWIM!

I hope that comes across withotu sounding ner ner nag nag, its not meant to, I've never got the hang of smileys.. you all know I love you though eh!

onlyjoking9329 · 23/12/2006 22:03

i read the review, have to say i so hope the inlaws do not watch it, they don't really get autism, they used rainman as a point of reference for my three!!
the review says
the family are struggling to help their child lead a normal life
pushed to desparation by his condition
they get a dog that finally provides the key to release the child from his private nightmare
just reading that made me cringe, i just know that people who don't know autism will decide we are failing our three kids by not getting them a dog
i have severe allergies to fur and my oldest two are petrified by dogs.

COPPERfeelunderSantasTOP · 24/12/2006 14:48

at Emmalou.

I haven't read any of the reviews for it. That one sets my teeth on edge, OJ.

Is it bad of me to confess that I won't be watching it because it clashes with CSI Miami?

nannynick · 26/12/2006 18:33

I'm going to watch After Thomas, seems a good movie and I like it when movies are based on real stories.

For those interested, there is a 37 page Press Pack available from the film makers Hartswood Films - Hartswood Films: After Thomas - which while being mostly about how the actors portrayed the characters, it does include an interview with Nuala, James and Dale Gardner on whom the film is based.

In the interview, James [Father] says: "The actual portrayal of the autism in the script is really good - there must be over 100 different traits that people with non autistic children wouldn?t pick up on."

With luck it will raise awareness, which may mean general public are a bit more understanding.

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Email address

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Jimjams2 · 26/12/2006 20:29

I have a horrible feeling (from reading the blurb) that it's going to be portrayed as a terrible terrible thing, and very very difficult, but the child will be about 100 000 times more able than ds1 (for some reason those portrayals always depress the crap out of me ). But anyway am going to give it a go because I know everyone will be going on about it. If its crap I'm off to bed!

onlyjoking9329 · 26/12/2006 20:37

i think thats it Jimjams, i think it may well be put over as being tragic, and i worry people will start to pity us, if that makes sense, i will have to watch it just because i know other people will watch it and then they will think they know Autism {wink} i wonder if thew good peeps at the DLA will be watching!

Blossomgoodwill · 26/12/2006 20:41

What time is it on?

Flip

1 2 3 4

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.