Happy World Goth Day one and all!   And to help you celebrate here's mine and Rho's podcast on all things Goth from a few years back.

Must have missed this one at the time but seeing as there's a protest in  Parliament Square on Friday, 22 May I thought I'd mention the fact that,  according to new Ofsted guidance, Autistic children as more likely be extremists.   Some extremist Autists yesterday.   First mentioned in a series of 2023 and 2024 training materials for Ofsted inspectors, it seems that Ofsted believes that autistic people are more susceptible to becoming terrorists or extremists because of their ‘special interests’. One of the Ofsted trainings on Prevent indicates that the trainer should tell school inspectors:  ‘Children and young people with Autism are at increased risk of being susceptible to extremism. This is because they are more likely to develop special interests.’  The training does not explain this assertion but does go on to claim: ‘Children with autism are more likely to experience social isolation and so use the internet to find friends. They trust the info...

  To give you all a break from our housing woes and to add a wee bit of cheer to the proceedings (because let's be honest we need it right now) why not prepare yourself for Eurovision 2026 by giving mine and Ro's Eurovision best bits podcast from a few years back a re-listen? You can find it here (but please don't give us nil points). 

Been getting a fair few responses to the whole housing debacle of late so thought I'd post an as in-depth as possible version of the situation in one handy place save people having to read multiple posts (which they still can if they want). So buckle up and here we go: We've been waiting on house repairs for around 6 years now, what started as a small leak just before lock down turned into a huge leak which left us without a flushing toilet for a year (which was finally fixed at least) and a drop in water pressure which meant that we can't use the washing machine or shower. About 4 years after the original repair report - and after being contacted by our local MP housing did in fact attempt a repair (that's when they fitted a new toilet) but the plumber they sent out hadn't realised that the main water supply was behind the washing machine and because no one had told us to move it couldn't actually do anything apart from tear out some kitchen panels, smash a...

  Just a quick update - hot off the press, well phone - regarding the ongoing housing saga .   Me, right now.     It seems that because we were waiting to order new beds etc for the girls till the move and the fact that the house is full of bags/boxes (because we were meant to be moving, yes I keep mentioning this in the hope that someone from housing reads this...or can even read) we've now been reported to social work (again) and the housing association are insisting on yet another meeting about forcing (sorry 'persuading' us) into a temporary move (to the house we were meant to move to that Cassidy is now dead set against going to).   A move that we've told them (multiple times) just isn't workable. Doing the work around us as much as possible with a week or so in an apartment/air B&B (which would be easier for Cassidy) isn't even being considered by them and any reasonable adjustments for disability (a legal requirement as far as I can tell) aren...

 A wee bit of a change from the (by now usual) housing woes and I thought I'd update everyone (anyone?) on the other major thing going down at the moment which was my exciting (to me at least) adventures in photo-therapy up at Gartnavel Hospital in 'sunny' Glasgow. My home from home the last few months.   You see I've just finished my - 3 month - course so I reckoned it was time to review the whole hospital visit/treatment situation from an Autistic viewpoint. I've briefly covered the treatment in a few posts previously (but refrained from posting photos of my oh so lovely Psoriasis scabs) so this is less about the treatment and more about staffing and attitude. Oh and how they did putting up with me for 3 plus months. As regular readers will know it can be a wee bit hit and miss when it comes to medical matters - some folk, like the physiotherapist  I had to see a few years back, have been utterly fantastic - she even incorporated my wrist/hand stims into my treat...

 It's been a fair few years since my dulcet tones graced your airwaves  but it looks (sounds?) like I may be back on Radio Scotland in the next month - but not alas playing a mix of obscure Eurohorror tracks (tho' that might happen if enough folk ask for it).   The BBC are holding a Caring Matters Week with a variety of programmes and interviews which may, in fact, feature me ranting excitingly - and angrily - about various issues around and affecting carers. Including housing support no doubt.  First up is the recording of  the Caring Matters live roadshow next week - now what to wear for radio? - with (hopefully) a few interviews to follow. Updates to follow.    

Well reckoned it was about time for a house update as I'm sure everyone is chomping at the bit to read the next exciting (nay maddening) installment.     Since last time we actually heard back re: my complaint but just not within the 2 working days promised on the website as it took 5 in total (not counting the weekend obviously cos I'm kind). And the reason for the delay? It appears that no-one bothered to check their junk mail folder. Yes I know. To be fair we did get a phone call (which Rho took as I was out getting the girls) followed by a - requested - hard copy which is as non-committal and 'we better not admit to anything in case they sue' as you can get. Examples of this include: When we pointed out that this entire (6 year) situation has been caused in part by the frightening turnover in housing officer staff with a lack of continuity/follow up paper work left we were told bluntly that any complaint over 6 months old is invalid. Which was nice. When we express...

   Celebrating the utterly Autistic (I'm claiming her, deal with it) genius of Delia Derbyshire, the high priestess of British electronic music on her birthday.    Nuff said.  

  Celebrate Star Wars Day with this Sith-tastic mix of Skywalker inspired sounds remixed for your dancing pleasure.  Caution: may contain Gungans.  

 To all those NT folk who've ever 'hung out' with me.  

 Born on this day 1959 - one of the saviours of my turbulent teen years,  David James Ball - producer and electronic musician and one half of the synth-pop duo Soft Cell, alongside Marc Almond.    And if you want to know why he (and they) are so important you can find out here .