Ollie, Paws, friends and family

[MaybeHeIsMyCat]

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Sybil and Basil have each spent the last hour subtly not trying to push the other off. Sybil's passive aggressive licking of Basil's head was a masterpiece .
Still stuck with both of them

I’m doing chicken livers for supper. Not least cos kibble at £45 a pop.

Guess what Capns eating.

Must be bad if the police are involved.

Basil looks so comfy all snuggled on top!

@Fluffycloudland77

Must be bad if the police are involved.

Just constant ongoing low level ASB. Mostly banging on windows/throwing rocks etc

Ugh, yuk, Queen. Horrible and stressy for you. Harmless, if you can call being relentlessly irritated harmless.

Locals here got our local Annoying Little Sod an asbo (no relation). It took years but works a treat. To be honest, the appearance of the Feds does the trick for a while too.

If anybody they have a go at is disabled, it counts as hate crime, which is useful.

Betsy is back for more cuddles! My left leg is totally numb and I'm desperate for a wee but I really don't want to move her!!

Queen I'm sorry you're having trouble with kids. That would make me so anxious.

I've had a weird day. My 6yo has some difficulties and has been being assessed on and off since he was 2. Today I had confirmation that he's been diagnosed with autism. It's a very odd combination of relief and sadness. Obviously this isn't really for a cat thread. Just...on my mind.

@coastergirl we got my daughters diagnosis through about a year ago. I know exactly what you mean about feeling weird.

On one hand it's a relief that there is an actual diagnosis but then on the other hand you feel so scared for their future (however silly that may sound!)

How old is your little one? J wasn't diagnosed until she was 16 so it's been a very steep learning curve for us.

@coastergirl I think you're allowed to feel odd about his diagnosis. He'll always be your boy no matter what but his life may be a little different to what you may have wanted for him. It's tricky.

You two have got it exactly right. I'm so relieved that he has the diagnosis. He needs it to get the right support. But I'm sad that it's the case. I don't want him to struggle in life. He's 6. He's amazing. He was incredibly delayed when he was younger, but he's caught up a lot. He's loving, funny, polite, very much a rule follower. But he has major difficulties in certain areas. It's just been a strange day.

It’s early days coaster - of course you’ve got a lot to think about. At the moment you’re probably just surfacing from being immersed in the difficulties and uncertainty, and it’s one of the tricky times. But, honestly, it’s very much better from now on, and an early diagnosis reaps rewards you won’t even have considered. And you’ve got Walter who will offer furry support to all.

I agree about the diagnosis offering positive outcomes. He will get the right support moving forward. I'm a primary teacher so please ask if you need any school related advice.

I can understand the ambiguous feelings. Such a relief to know and be able to manage correctly, but at the same time the concern for the future.

My DBro was recently diagnosed with ADHD - at the age of 50! He says what a relief it's been knowing why he's had certain behaviours over his life, and refers to it as his superpower and kryptonite at the same time.

@Allergictoironing my daughter is the same. We have struggled so much with behaviour (loooong story but includes running away from home, police and then an overdose) that to get that ASD and ADHD diagnosis we were all like "ahhhh now we understand!"

She was upset at the diagnosis at first but now is very happy as she understands why she does certain things and as a family we all understand her so much better and our reactions to certain behaviours are better which makes for a much happier family!!

*@SpookyScarySkeletons * DBro was more in how he worked and reacted to things; not in a disruptive way but his internal thought processes.

Interestingly (typical of my family) the moment he had his diagnosis he researched ADHD in great depth and thinks that I and maybe my DSis have it too, and as it can be hereditary we think from father's side.

He actually went private for his diagnosis which I can't afford, but I would be very interested to find out if I do have ADHD as that would explain a lot about me.

A friend of mine has recently been diagnosed with ADHD at 60-ish. she doesn't have the hyperactivity side of it, but more in organising herself, completing tasks, concentrating etc. To be honest I've wondered if I have it myself.
Hope you're ok, Coaster. I totally get the mixed emotions an autism diagnosis has brought.

@Papergirl1968 How did she get her diagnosis?

"But I'm being helpful!" I'm finally taking down the decorations and Hobbes is being his wonderful obstructive self.

Hobbes!
I'm not sure, Allergic. I'll see if I can find out.

Hobbes! You little tinker! Such a team player, Long.

It’s the fixes for adhd etc that interest me. You can’t help suspecting we could all do with a bit of neuro input of varying degrees - we’re all told to eat healthier all the time, which requires choosing and consuming specially chosen foods but never to do the same for the bit of us above the neck.

All I know is the stuff I learned in therapy ages ago for something unconnected to life now I still use every day cos it works. The treatments now are bloody good Coaster.

All I know is the stuff I learned in therapy ages ago for something unconnected to life now I still use every day cos it works.

Well running through the questionnaires for ADHD, there are a number of Qs on it where I'm not like that now, but only because I worked out life hacks for myself years ago e.g. I don't miss appointments - because I over-diarise everything, I don't miss steps in completing work - because I make myself follow strict lists.

Whereas the techniques I was taught doing CBT for depression only work sometimes when I'm at the bottom of the pit, and TBH reading up on it, it looks like my occasional bouts of depression could well be ADHD related!

Hobbes is a professional cat, he’s being very helpful keeping you company during your chores.

Puddy doesn’t even come to the bathroom with me first thing, she sets up camp in the kitchen waiting for food instead. If Asbo was sulking with me he’d leave me to go on my own while doing the tiger sniff of contempt.

Hobbes is clearly a proper cat .

Capn and I perform our toilette together prior to breakfast. We keep our gaze pointed at the ceiling as a courtesy.

I wait till he’s shaken his tail to flush in case he gets a jump.