Just a quick update about Glasgow City Council and their ongoing Autism Aware Initiative, which launched last year with the aim of delivering the 'best possible' experience in the city for Autistic people and to make Glasgow venues - and the city as a whole - more Autism friendly*. News just in that GCC - as the cool kids cry it - are holding a number of autism training days for staff across the city over the next few months. Staff - from participating venues - will partake in training carried out by Autism Network Scotland and Tanya Tennant Autism Training & Consultancy, which takes place on 31st May, 27th June 27 and 25th July and the training will compliment that already carried out - with great success I must add, especially with museums and a fair few shops - for organisations including museums (see? - told you!), transport hubs and arts venues. No idea what an 'Autism Champion' is but I shall endeavor to find out! Councillor Susan Aitken...

Do you remember last year when Morrison's announced it was doing 'Quiet Hour' shopping for autistic folk? ...And do you remember the comments on the BBC website? Happy times. You can read more here if you're bored.

...everyone!

Just sometimes when dealing with stuff outside your control, being a parent and autistic can be the hardest, most frustrating and soul destroying thing in the world. Then occasionally in the middle of the whole emotional tornado someone listens and you get that glimmer of empathy as if they understand. And when that happens you start to feel that everything may, just may turn out OK. Stick with it everyone. End of pep talk, more of the usual vaguely amusing/angry/confusing posts to follow.

After drawing Greta Thunberg t'other month I felt I couldn't leave the quite marvelous (and bequiffed - must be an Autie thing) Chris Packham out of the arty equation. Normal service will be resumed as soon as.

Seeing as it's Museum Week I thought I'd reshare some of the work I've completed for the Open Museum in sunny Glasgow - you can see more here if you're so inclined.  See? It's not all ranting!

Erm no they haven't Alan.....maybe check behind the sofa? Remember this is the guy who claims he can cure us with remedies such as carcinosinum, made from cancerous breast tissue; lyssin, made with rabid dog saliva; and medorrhinum, made from the discharge of a man with gonorrhea. Via Skype. You can read more about this charlatan's adventures here .

Was out with Twin-Thing 1 to see the fairly weird yet still enjoyable Detective Pikachu at the Grosvenor Cinema the other day* and it hit me how much I love the place which alongside the GFT has to be my favourite movie venue in Glasgow and, although not 'officially' Autism friendly accredited I still reckon that it deserves a huge thumbs up. Situated in Ashton Lane in Glasgow's groovy West End, I must admit to having plenty of great nights here pre-podlings - from double bills of the 1989 Batman teamed up with the 1978 Superman to a fancy dress night out at the opening of Dick Tracy...gawd I'm old, it was also the first cinema we took our twins too (Revenge of The Sith in 2005 if you must know and we convinced another couple that they were named Luke and Leia on the way out) so as you can imagine it's a place I hold dear. As they got bigger tho' we obviously gravitated to Autism friendly showings and then to Cineworld as they enjoy a look around the ...

Remember last week when I posted about Bookbug's Big Picnic and how I mentioned (in jest I might add) that I was thinking of 'stealing' a toddler or two for the day in order to attend? Well fear not as someone let me borrow one instead* so off I went to Dennistoun Library to see what was occurring. Dennistoun Library (obviously). Upon arrival I was greeted by a lovely large, open area with a small marquee erected in the corner that was festooned with bunting and teddies (not to many mind) that immediately gave the story telling area a nice sense of intimacy, cushions had been placed and the friendly - and chatty - staff all seemed eager to join and happy to put up with my questions. Which as regular readers know is always a good sign. It wasn't long before the room was filling up with eager children (and parents) and time for our storyteller, Ailie Finlay, to begin. Pulling props from her magic pinnie to link the mix of traditional songs and nursery...

Apologies for the lack of posts of late - work, school holidays and a distinct lack of Autism Awareness Month activities (seriously you couldn't throw a stick in Glasgow last year without hitting an Autie event) means I've had nowt to write about. Kudos to the events I did attend tho' as they were great. Anyway, on Tuesday, 14 May 2019 (from 10:30-12:00) Dennistoun Library are hosting an Autism friendly Bookbug Big Picnic where y ou (and your favourite teddy) can enjoy a Tea Party in the company of author Ailie Finlay, who will provide sensory and visual-based stories as well as Bookbug who will be there to join in the fun.   Author Ailie Finlay earlier today (probably, tho' it may have been last week) There will also be healthy snacks for everyone to taste, fun crafts to make, songs to sing, and games to play and a chance to get a special Bookbug Week place mat and sticker.  More information here . Obviously unless I can steal a toddler or two for the ...