Alasdair James Gray - Scottish writer, artist and (probable) Autistic icon.  

 ...is finally up! See you all on the other side!

  and don't forget...

Whilst Rho was out with the boy shopping for toys today, myself and the girls headed out to explore some different shops to the norm and whilst there Amelia got a new box for her slightly ragged bag of tiny stones.  She collects them when we're out and uses them for stress relief, relaxing and stimming.  Sheer Autistic genius. And a cheap alternative to fidget toys too. She's rather brilliant.      

A great way to round off the year, just found out that the latest book I did the illustrations for - The Lives of Children and Adolescents with Disabilities (edited By Angharad E. Beckett, Anne-Marie Callus) - is published on January 4th 2024 so here's a sneak peek alongside artwork for Dr Miro Griffiths' research project into young disabled people's experience of Assistive Technology - companion pieces of sorts to the work for the Routledge International Handbook of Children's Rights & Disability . Interior art to follow after the publication date. Enjoy.

Seeing as it's almost Christmas that means it's a time for booze, food and films so what better time to revisit my episode of the 'Autism Through Cinema' podcast ( which also got picked as a host favourite , see? I told you I know about the films) - where I discuss one of my favourite movies - Disney/Pixar's Cars. You're welcome. Oh and you can read more about it here .

Cassidy decided to channel his inner Yo Gabba Gabba period Mark Mothersbaugh earlier....   A wee bit of joy for Christmas time!

 ...today so thought I'd share my stash! Batmobile build pics to follow. Well it's nice to post happy stuff occasionally.

  I find train travel (especially rush hour or long journeys) a wee bit of an issue so it's usually the only situation where I wear my Sunflower lanyard so just a reminder that pointing at it (and me) whilst giggling and taking the piss isn't the good look you think it is. Oh and I hope your team get gubbed tonight.  That's the end of my TED talk.  Thanks for listening.

I have a very important and very serious meeting on Friday regarding transitioning from school to further education and realised that I'd not updated the whole Social Work/transition to higher education efforts for quite a while. Or posted anything of any worth probably. The reasons for this are twofold. One is just the whole stress of the situation with getting support for the kids has had a fairly negative effect on me health-wise (stress-inflicted psoriasis covering about 60% of my body and bleeding everywhere anyone? Absolutely great when suffering from that old Autistic bugbear of Body dysmorphic disorder - which I've had since my teens - which has reared its ugly head again) add to this the whole lack of sleep and trying to get the house repaired after 3 years of waiting and get paid - cheers Paypal) and you can probably see why I've stuck to amusing and light posts of late. The other is the fact that it felt that after almost 2 years of being left in limbo (and almo...

 I got referred to as an Autistic Icon this week. I'll take that.

 ...for our big fat fingers!  Been celebrating our silver wedding anniversary this weekend! How very grown up!