A new Neurodiversity support thread for those with suspected or diagnosed ASD, ADHD and other NDs

[PigPigTrotters]

Yet another thread for neurodivergent mumsnetters.

Lots of links in old threads.

Anyone is welcome, it's not just about autism.

My biggest issue with facial blindness is that it's variable. The worst is that I work in an environment where almost everyone wears a uniform. Seeing them out of work is very strange!

Stop it's good that he's leaving but it's worth reporting him for his attitude!

Feeling like a terrible mother. Took DD out and she poured hot chocolate all over herself. She was very distressed, her leg was quite red. Staff were nice and sent a first aider. They got a wet tea towel which took the heat out of it. When she calmed down, it seemed she was more upset about the wet clothes than the leg. Of course I was paranoid about what other people thought of me, had lots of unsolicited advice on how to manage the scald and how bad it might be Anyway an hour on and a change of clothes later it's not red any more and she's quite happy! I still feel upset though.

I'm not the worst with faces, although I never know whether people who've added me on Facebook are actually people I know, especially women, because they're always wearing a ton of makeup. But names? Oh god. There are people at college I've been in a class with all last year whose names I still don't know. I've learnt just to say that I'm really sorry, I can't remember names. Again, and again, and again. Luckily, most people seem to find it funny. One of my closest college friends, it took me till over half way through the year last year to remember her name.

stop that's very erm... interesting! Usually a lot more notice than that is required for a head to quit, I think a term is usual and our last head gave 6 months' notice. It's unlikely you'll get a new head in by Christmas because of that, so the deputy will probably have to step up for a while.

I struggle with faces too. I can learn the children's names fairly quickly because I work hard at it, and usually manage to remember one specific thing about each child. But I really struggle to recognise photos of the children, even if I have the photos and the children in front of me I can find it hard to match them up.

I can't visualise faces either, we have a new member of staff who keeps asking 'Jane? Which one's Jane? short black hair?' And all I can say is something like 'no idea, but you passed her the milk in the staff room yesterday!'

Ooh good question for here in context - do you picture faces of characters when you read? I can picture people's outline from description but faces are always like a blurred image to me.

No, never. Fiction is always conceptual for me; I never visualise any of it, imagine the sound of choices, anything. I wonder if it's related to my inability to remember routes or find my way to places (I have no sense of direction, but pretty much to the level of a learning difficulty).

*voices

I don't picture character faces in books, either (but, like Polter, I still get annoyed at film versions where they look 'wrong').

I have a friend who casts actors (and occasionally people she knows, plus herself as the main female character) as characters in book. She gets annoyed with authors who give physical descriptions of characters at some point after they've been introduced into the book because then she suddenly finds whoever she's cast doesn't 'work'.

I missed a call earlier whilst out for a meal for my mums birthday, it was from the Health Visiting team regarding dd2's pulled elbow the other day. They left a message and said they are just checking in to make sure we're all ok, but I've got myself all in a tizz thinking they are going to call SS on us or something. I tried to call them back once we got home but I think they've all gone home for the day and I don't think they are open over the weekend but I'm going to try and call them anyway. I feel sick

Thanks Polter, it's just that they didn't call after she fell and cut her head so I'm worrying.

Delete, it'll just be a case of following protocol. If anyone was seriously concerned there was abuse at play with the elbow you wouldn't have been allowed to take your DD home from hospital.

Thank you both, my nerves have been shot this week. Like you said it's just procedure and the woman seemed nice on the answer phone message.

It's very normal. Please don't worry. What to expect - they might do a home visit, it might just be a phone call. Either way they'll want to check three things: That you're okay (having your DC accidentally hurt can be traumatic!) That you're coping okay, not in an abusive relationship etc (and I would be seriously surprised if they were very stringent with these checks, it will likely just be a first impression, yep, seems normal, OK next and again is designed to help you) and lastly they might give you some safety advice just in case there are things you're not aware of, which might be helpful or might be unnecessary but is not intended to be judgemental, only helpful.

Polter - she's going to look into it. I didn't directly ask if she could since I figured she'd have said (wouldn't she?) if she could...

I had to Google Kondo! We've moved from a 3 bed flat to a 4 bed detached house so we should have more room, but of course there are two rooms we just throw stuff in and close the door. My 'office' also gets full of crap pretty quickly and then I end up working on the sofa instead. I'd love minimalist but it's too hard to keep up when I'm always leaving the house without things I need. I have to leave at least twice to go anywhere.

delete it's standard procedure. Honestly, if they were worried then the hospital would have phoned ss and not just passed it on to the HV.

I don't picture characters either but I get annoyed when people look wrong!

Phone us fixed.

Thank you everyone I feel better already but of course it going to be playing on my mind over the weekend. I just love my girls so much the thought of anyone thinking I couldn't look after them properly is really upsetting but I'm sure it will all be ok once I've got in touch with them.

Faith - hope you're okay after the hot chocolate incident! I'm sure everyone was just thinking "ah here's a situation that I've been in, I can offer some advice..." without realising you were probably overwhelmed with the attention! You're a nicer mum than me for taking your dd out for hot chocolate in the first place!

Crohni - yes "interesting" is a good way of putting it! The newsletter implies he is going to pursue his own interests rather than get employment elsewhere, and 'we' are getting a local head on secondment until they can recruit a replacement. Will see what happens. Are you better recognising children than adults in the school environment? I am - and I can't explain that I can learn the children out of a class of about 30 even though they're all in uniform, yet some of the staff I really struggle with!

Delete - my two dd's were in A&E within a week of each other when they were aged 1 and 2. I had the HV call and it never went any further.
SS were quick to visit when I've been in A&E myself as they wanted to check my children were not at risk but they were easily reassured too and seem quite normal people! You have nothing to worry about!

Thanks Stop. She's absolutely fine. I've recovered now following a bath and have jammied up. She had been very good and patient while I waited for a prescription at the hospital (55 minutes to do the prescription, had to go off to the canteen and get her lunch in that time or she would have been awful!). It was meant to be a treat! Never mind, she's in bed now.

Delete we had routine follow up when DD was seen in A&E as a baby because her breathing slowed. It's just one of those things they do. I did safeguarding training a while ago and this is one of those opportunities that can pick up underlying issues. They would be negligent not to follow up but it's strictly routine.