Can't believe that's been 2 years since our (award winning) little film AUTISM PLAYS ITSELF had its UK premiere at the Edinburgh Film Festival so felt it was only right to     re-share it for those who hadn't yet seen it (and if not why not?) or wanted to watch it again,  suffice to say it would be an understatement to say that this is one of the pieces of work I'm still most proud of.           And don't forget that you can actually listen to a version of it on the Radio 4 series Short Cuts  too.       A film shot in 1957 in at the Maudsley Hospital, London, captures the movements and behaviour of children under observation for atypical behaviour. In the present day, three autistic respondents watch the footage, bringing new insightful interpretations of the children’s behaviour as they explore the sparse environment of the clinic. Through speculation and identification, with wit and audacity, the responses fo...

  Seeing as it's Father's Day I thought I'd reshare the top Autism dad chat (featuring a fair few Actually Autistic peeps) we did for Scottish Autism a few years back....   Enjoy.     

  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). 

 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.    

  Counting down to the Artemis II launch (and the first moon mission in 53 years) with 60 mins of space age sounds and retroactive rhythms celebrating the first moon landing because of course I love space!  

Regular readers will no doubt be aware that I talk about cinema a lot and any readers of my other (very NSFW) blog will know that it's mainly in regards to horror cinema. You could say it's my 'special interest' as absolutely no-one outside Autism 'professionals' call it. Anyway, after what will go down as THE shittest week imaginable here - including a fucking awful (and rare) meltdown which almost scuppered my plans Frightfest is finally upon us! The annual film art is complete and online , the guest portraits are done and dusted and I'm about to spend the next 48 hours in my happy place watching a random assortment of movies of which I know nothing about save the synopsis. Not only that tho' because when I take my seat I'll be looking at this...   Autistic horror cinema fan goals achieved.  See you on the other side. 

  Seeing as it's the annual Alasdair Gray 'Gray Day' I thought I'd repost my contribution.   His portrait Frances Gordon, Glasgow Teenager inspired my collaboration with Glasgow Open Museum and guests of Glasgow City Mission in creating 'portraits' focusing on their interests rather than in a traditional style.    You can find out more here plus you can read about the project from an autistic perspective here . Enjoy. Portrait of Frances Gordon. (c) Alasdair Gray, courtesy of Glasgow Museums collections.

A wee bit quiet on the normal (usually angry) Autistic front at the mo' as I'm busy beavering away on the artwork for Frightfest in Glasgow next month....All the film posters are completed (and being unveiled on t'interweb) so currently hard at work on the guest portraits. Anyway I thought I'd share an interview I did regarding the illustrations I create for this fine festival from way back in 2018. And there's even a copy added below for those of you who don't like links and/or pictures. Enjoy.

On a brighter note, can't believe that's been a year since the opening of the Autism Through An Autistic Lens exhibition I was involved with. Time does indeed fly.  

 Happy Halloween everyone! Stay scared!   (and don't forget, you can find (almost) every single one of my horror/cult/Eurotrash themed mixes here . Perfect for your spooky get together!)  

  Can't believe it's been 7 years since I was at the Scottish Parliament ( talking about an art instillation I'd been involved with )....I'll be there Wednesday excitedly - and probably angrily - talking all things Autism to anyone who'll listen (and a fair few who wont) if you see me say "Hi!"  

It popped up in my (Facebook) memories today that it's been exactly 2 years since the magnificent Paul Wady invited me to do 'a wee turn' (which I think is the professional term) during his Eccentrics Unite! Fringe show with my take on Autism and dating as a cult movie fan. They do say write what you know and let's be fair that's all I do know. Well  that and how to hold a pencil.   The actual gig was edited for timing reasons/my rambling ways so it was fairly short 'n' snappy which was unusual for me but as far as I recall it seemed to go down OK. I mean there were no walk-outs but I did make a man visibly uncomfortable with the sheer Autistic intensity of my love for the films of 1982. This has been a dream of mine for years if I'm honest. Which I always am obviously seeing as Autistics are incapable of lying. Probably.  So (any excuse) here to celebrate this monumental cultural event I present the - slightly - longer version of my Fringe debut. As a...

Can't believe that's been a year since our (award winning) little film AUTISM PLAYS ITSELF had its UK premiere at the Edinburgh Film Festival so felt it was only right to reshare it for those who hadn't seen it (or wanted to watch it again),  suffice to say it would be an understatement to say that this is one of the pieces of work I'm most proud of.           And don't forget that you can actually listen to a version of it on the Radio 4 series Short Cuts  too.       A film shot in 1957 in at the Maudsley Hospital, London, captures the movements and behaviour of children under observation for atypical behaviour. In the present day, three autistic respondents watch the footage, bringing new insightful interpretations of the children’s behaviour as they explore the sparse environment of the clinic. Through speculation and identification, with wit and audacity, the responses forge a new soundtrack from an autistic point of vie...

      With the laydees away today at a dance performance in Stirling (ably aided by Ro) Cassidy and I were left to entertain ourselves today.  And what a top day we've had. As regular readers (and folk who know us) will be aware, Cassidy absolutely loves The Riverside Museum in Glasgow ( especially the Sinclair C5 ) and today we realised there was a special "Festival of Fire" event being held by the Scottish Fire Brigade Heritage Trust showcasing both past and present Firefighting appliances and the rich history of the fire service in Scotland. And let's be honest, what proper Autist doesn't love a fire engine?  Alongside the fire engines (and fantastic assortment of vehicles on display) there has been of late a rather nice mini Star Wars exhibition on too, featuring a variety of droids, vehicles and characters that both Cassidy and the girls had visited previously which was finishing today so I thought brilliant we can go see that again too! Day sorted....