Life through a low-functioning autistic woman's eyes

[RubberDuck]

Found this on my wanders: In Her Language: Vlogging Her Way Through Autism - is absolutely mezmerising.

She's non verbal and the first half is a video she created using her "language", then the second half is her translation (using computer speech software). It's 8 minutes long, but it's really worth watching to the end.

She also has a blog here

That is extraordinary - a real eye-opener. The most common communication modalities define what is 'normal' - but she is right, why should an unusual way of interacting with the world be considered deficient, or be defined as non-communication?

I agree.

I was in awe of her expressiveness in her text and computer aided speech as well. I'm not sure I could present an argument so coherently.

I found it quite telling how my reaction to her changed as I watched the video. And I'm ashamed to say that I completely underestimated her and her abilities until the second half during the "translation". Opened my eyes quite a lot.

interesting .

Wow. AS someone who lives with ASD's in my life every day- just wow.

she has quite a lot of vids on youtube. I'm totally amazed. I didn't think her level of communication in our way so to speak was ever possible. She responds to comments made on her vids and it seems impossible to believe she has autism. It just makes me wonder how many more autistic people might be so much more capable that they appear but simply how no way to communicate it.

Yep- her blog is very interesting. I've spent a few hours on it in the past Lucy Blackman worth reading as well, she's probably a similar level of functioning overall- although with big differences between them - but has written a book and has an English degree. I've had a go at teaching ds1 typing- Donna Williams said that being able to type is not related to being able to read- which made my head spin I suspect ds1 would need a very high level of support.

Lucy Blackman is non verbal as well - she got her degree by typing. When she started she wasn't at all independent - she needed to use facilitated communication- with full support from someone- she got to independent typing over years. Her book was an eye opener for me as I think her problems are very very similar to ds1's. She eallly explained a lot of his behaviours, and after reading her book I felt I had a much better understanding of why he woould behave as he did. I knew he had problems with dpeth perception for example, but I had no idea how many areas that could affect, or how profoundly it could interfere with his functioning,

We're trying to teach ds to type actually (recent test results uggested his reaidnga ge hasn't progressed and we've been warned he might stick at the current age, 4.10). His visual and auditory memeory are way superieor to his age (16 - 21 ) so it MAY be the way to go.

Of course, his communication is fine anyway. But have noticed ds3 can recognise more written things than he can express verbally as well.

teaching ds1 obv, LOL at teaching ds3 anything much

ah but that's the thing peachy- according to Dona Williams you can learn to type without being able to read at all- she said that typing is movement, so you end up with a language that is based on movement rather than words. Donna is really worth talking to (or reading- she's written a lot) about autism and language - especiallly non verbal forms of language.

what a great advocate to all non- communicative people, such as my daughter. good for her, very articulate in her own way too.

I've looked at her website- she does look good.

Some good news BTW: DS3 is down to the last 2 in the running for a free children in need BIBIC place (note with SALT!!!!)- fingers crossed please!

Apaprently ds1 has a similar processing problem to that seen in severe dyslexics, sokething to do with closure (not quite sure I understood).

Good news Peachy

If I saw her in the street and knew nothing about her other than how she appears to the world, I am ashamed to say I would assume that she had limited intellectual capacity. Hence the 2nd part of the film was very revelationary - wow!

This is so amazing. How wonderful. Everybody should watch it. What a difference that would make!