ros blackburn

[sphil]

Went to hear her speak today and was blown away. She's a severely autistic woman with an amazing gift for language. She spoke for 90 minutes non-stop and I was riveted for the entire time (and I am someone who usually starts doodling after 30 minutes in lectures ). Anyone else ever heard her?

She gave me so much hope for DS2. One of the best things was how warmly she spoke about her parents (who are now in their 80s - the same age I will be when DS2 is her age - nearly 40).

oooh you saw her- great isn't she? Apparently she used to deliver in a monotone, but asked for feedback and from that adjusted her style to how she is now (as good as any NT speaker imo).

it does sound brilliant - I would love to hear her speak also.

I heard her speak In Portslade, at a private SN consultancy servce where a friend of mine works. I have her contact details - she put them up at the end - and she obviously does talks all over the place. Am thinking of asking DS2's special school whether they'll have her in next year (although I'd better wait until he has a confirmed place lol). No idea what her fees are though - would probably have to be some fundraising involved if a school invited her to speak.

Funny you should say that JJ - I was musing during her talk about how unmonotonous her voice was - really easy to listen to with very natural rhythms and cadences. It's amazing to think that she has really had to work at that.

apparently she used to look at the floor clutching her block thingy, speaking in a monotone. Then she was taught to look towards the audience and she was able t just have one hand on her block, now she just needs it on stage- and is as you say very expressive.

is she still into trampolining?

Yes - she started by saying that if she mentioned trampolining or ice-skating too much we were to shout 'objection' because otherwise she'd go off on one and wouldn't stop talking about them!

I didn't notice any sort of block - wonder if she doesn't need it at all now? But then again I am quite unobservant .

I was watching her talking to her carer in the break and she seemed animated and expressive then too. So I wonder if she has learnt to speak like this or whether it was just when giving lectures that she spoke in a monotone.

DS2's voice tone is quite odd - has gone from whispering everything to barking his words out like a sergeant major!

Oh she is coming to speak in a town near me soon. Really hoping to be able to get there.

the block is very noticeable I only saw it because I was told about it.

Wow@ ds2- speech

PS - have your letter in my bag to post- will do tomorrow - promise.....

Same with your video

JJ - may have misled you when I wrote 'barking his words out'. It's only the same words he's been saying for ages - 'DRINK!' 'BI -KIT!' etc. Just loudly! Oh we do have a new one

• 'Fogman' - but that is said very softly and earnestly for some reason

that's speech in my world sphil

lol sphil, is 'fogman' from the thomas story? ooh I wish I could have seen her speak . I was in portslade today too.

RNbee -Yes, good old Thomas. Was quite surprised when he asked for that particular video by name as he normally just says 'Thomas' and then we have to do the whole choice thing (we have quite a few Thomas videos ) which he finds really difficult. RB was speaking at Triangle btw.

J

Is she the woman who likes trampolining?
Yes,fascinating.

When she put her details up at the end she said that she didn't care what we thought of her, but she did want us to like her talk so that we would all recommend her for other engagements and she could buy more trampolining lessons

She's great, isn't she? Did you know she worked very closely with the writer of the film 'snowcake', and with sigourney weaver who plays an autistic woman in it? it's funny to watch it and see how like her the character looks.
sphil and RnBee she's speaking at Kings House in Hove in May. I'm definitely going to go and see her again.

Oh that's great - I've met at least 5 people since last week who are keen to go. Do you know the details Saintmaybe? We'll be in sunny (?) Somerset by then, sadly.

Yes - 'ginger wig' and 'Biggleswade'

Sphil - do you have her contact details - I tried googling but couldn't come up with anything and was thinking of asking a local autism group here to invite her.

For anyone else interested came across a talk she is giving in Islington in May.

Tuesday 15th May 2007 2006 7.30pm:
Lecture at Caspari House
Ros Blackburn

Logically Illogical:
Information and Insight into Autism

Ros Blackburn is an adult with autism. At three months she appeared withdrawn and isolated and very much in a world of her own. At 18 months she was diagnosed very severely autistic. Now Ros lectures nationally and internationally giving insight into her own experiences and the care and education practices she has observed.

She describes her coping strategies living in a still largely autism?unfriendly world and offers ideas to families, teachers and professionals who support children and young people with autism.

This talk provides a unique opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of autism.

Tickets available at the door: £10.00 members, £20.00 non-members, £5.00 CF student

Here you go

Ros Blackburn
58 Brisbane Road
Ilford
Essex IG1 4SL
01245 351868

I guess it's all right to post them here as she made them public at the talk?

Yes I would think so. Thank you very much.