No updates recently as I've been away on a school trip to sunny Spain (I know) but just had to post as to how fantastic Glasgow Airport and EasyJet were with the group. Looking out for gremlins... Autistic or not, traveling can be stressful at the best of times so it's good to know that there are organizations out there willing to help and Glasgow Airport is no exception - organizing as they did a tour of the airport and its facilities for the group the week before we departed. Beginning at the disability area at the front of the airport we were shown step by step (and in an incredibly child-friendly and pleasant way) what the journey would entail. Which to be honest was great for me seeing as I'm a very timid flyer. An airport and a plane yesterday, tho' I don't think it's plain I think it's lovely. All the staff from those conducting the tour to those working at passport control and the like were lovely and incredibly acc...

Not necessarily Autism based but an interesting article nevertheless, Getty are trying to be more disability inclusive when it comes to stock photos available. The article states that in America nearly one in five people have a disability, but just 2% of publicly available imagery depicts their lives. Be interesting to see how 'invisible' disabilities like Autism are tackled seeing at the moment it's with pics like this:

You may remember way back here when Kelvingrove Art Gallery told me that they weren't rolling out their Autism Aware programme till all their staff were trained. Well looks like they all are as they've just announced that they're having an Autism early opening session on Friday 25th May 2018 from 10-11am. Been in touch with Kelvingrove and they've explained that this is a pilot session and all feedback will be used to help improve the sessions as they roll them out. If I'm recovered from the Spain trip I may head down so expect a follow up! Here's hoping that the podlings favourite interactive exhibits are fixed or I foresee meltdowns. And that'll be just me.

One of the venues I've not been round to visit yet - well I have actually been a few times and once, scarily enough had an instillation or two in there but you know what I mean - Glasgow Science Centre (home of Nina And The Neurons) is introducing Autism friendly sessions from 9.00am until 11.00am on the following dates: Sunday 20th May 2018 - 9.00am until 11.00am Sunday 17th June 2018 - 9.00am until 11.00am Sunday 15th July 2018 - 9.00am until 11.00am Sunday 19th August 2018 - 9.00am until 11.00am Weird Science! According to the PR stuff during these sessions they will be lowering the volume and softening the lights to allow visitors with autism to enjoy their trip to the Science Centre with minimal stress plus they will also have cosy corners and quiet spaces throughout the building, with weighted blankets and ear defenders for visitors to use if they need them. It's a good start so all we have to do now is start persuading folk to have their Autism ...

...of Autism Aware venues for you now courtesy of  the Media and Campaigns Officer for the National Autistic Society Scotland. They'd read my inane ramblings (I know I'm shocked anyone reads this too) - in particular this post and helpfully sent me a list of the venues. And here they are:    Now don't say I'm not good to you.

Had a brilliant day watching Mary and The Witch's Flower with the laydees at The GFT yesterday so it was a pity that the whole thing was almost brought crashing down by the signal failure/general train brokenness on the way home. Probably a more realistic way of getting home after the cinema. The full story is here (for anyone interested) but for those of you who prefer a less 'news-speak' take on the whole thing. After jumping on the train home at Queen Street our train stopped suddenly outside Partick as a crackly announcement told us that "Mumble mumble crackle signal sorry" - which translates as (I think) something was broken. The girls were a wee bit antsy but soon settled when the train started moving, pulling into Partick station the announcement was made that a signal fault meant that the train would still be going to its destination just slightly slower and if passengers wanted to get to their destination quicker they could "Alight the ...

Well if this report if anything to go by it looks like I've got my work cut out for me over the next few months as it seems Glasgow now has 53 Autism Aware venues including various community facilities and libraries. You can read the full report (but not see a list of venues) here . Oh no! Someone has stolen our legs! Hopefully they'll update the map to show them at some point - or maybe part of the fun is finding them!

I know it's gone April but still have a few venues to do, one of which I've been promising to visit since way back at the George Square Autism event. Gawd I'm so unorganised. Well actually work and illness have gotten in the way recently but I did finally manage to make it down to The House of Fraser store on Buchanan Street and this time I wasn't alone as I took Mrs Ash (who isn't actually Autistic) and our twin girls (who are) for help. So how did they do?* "Set Frasers to stun!" I'm glad to say that they got top marks! - Fraser's staff are currently undergoing Autism training (with the majority already completed it) and are offering a quiet space for those that need it. Taking advantage of it couldn't be simpler, just grab a member of staff and they'll get someone to take you there. The quiet room itself is cool, calm and not too cluttered with everything from sensory toys, projector lights and colouring books amongs...

"The British Film Institute (BFI) has issued a response to reports that emerged on Twitter yesterday that a cinemagoer with Asperger Syndrome had been ”forcibly removed” from a screening of The Good, The Bad And The Ugly at its Southbank venue on Sunday (April 29)." Being an Aspie who thinks of the cinema as their 'safe space' this is at once scary yet at the same time uplifting that the BFI are taking responsibility and attempting to make amends. Full story here .