Archive for Autistic Spectrum
As part of our ongoing effort to raise awareness about neurological conditions, we are always looking for new personal stories about your lives with these diagnoses.
These stories can be completely anonymous, if you wish, or you can provide your real name or even a made-up pen name.
You don’t have to be a ‘writer’ as such – we don’t mind if you don’t have perfect English; we just want what you have to say.
We do not believe in judging others, and everyone involved in the website has been diagnosed with multiple related neurological conditions themselves.
All we want is your personal testimonials to be listed in the ‘Your Stories’ section of our website. We’ve already had so much positive feedback from the stories posted so far – they have helped others feel less alone with their symptoms, inspired people to think of themselves and their diagnoses a bit differently, and taught us all about the truth behind such conditions.
No story will be censored – these conditions often come with dark and disturbing elements, so if you feel you can’t tell your story without these, they will definitely be included on our website.
We believe the world needs to be made aware of the seriousness of such diagnoses – we want to remove the stigma in speaking out about them, but also help stop people making jokes about them.
Please do click the ‘Your Stories’ tab at the top of this page to look at what others have written.
To share your testimonial, just click the ‘Contact’ tab and write your story in the body of the message. If you’d like to remain anonymous, please list your email address as ‘anonymous@anon.com’ and give your name as ‘Anonymous’.
We hope to hear from you soon!
Vrinda, Sharon, Jennifer and Lynn
Conditional Publications
Don’t forget to get your copy of Check Mates: A Collection of Fiction, Poetry and Artwork about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, by People with OCD – on Amazon and Amazon Kindle
Autism Is Just Another Personality Type – It’s Not Always a Problem
Posted by: | CommentsI need to put a disclaimer here before I go on: YES, there are extreme cases of autism where it is definitely a problem – where it absolutely interferes with the person’s ability to function in life, and where it can cause them to be a danger to him/herself and to others. However, contrary to what the media would have you believe, this only applies to the minority of autistics, while the majority of us might not be diagnosed for years because we’ve found a way to blend in enough with society to be mainly ignored. Just as Tourette’s is not all about swearing, OCD is not all about hand-washing, and ADHD is not all about having screaming fits and smashing up your property, so too is Autism much more than the stereotypes you see on television.
Herbal or Pharmaceutical: Your Choice
Posted by: | CommentsLast week I read an article in the London Metro newspaper about the EU’s recent move to ban many herbal / Chinese remedies from being sold / promoted / practised in European countries. The UK government have declined to participate in this movement, instead opting to institute a requirement that all such practitioners register themselves with a new regulatory body so that their activities can be monitored in case something dangerous does come up. Read More→
Neuro-Atypical: We Are All X-Men
Posted by: | CommentsOkay, who watched X-Men 3: The Last Stand and felt like, in many ways, it was the story of their life? Not with me? Let me explain.
Household chemicals responsible for some neurobehavioural disorders?
Posted by: | CommentsSurprise, surprise – the EPA are now making a list of chemicals that could put children at risk of developing neurobehavioural problems…chemicals found in almost everything we use, every day. Read the full article here.
Don’t forget to purchase your copy of Check Mates: A Collection of Fiction, Poetry and Artwork about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, by People with OCD on all Amazon sites – now also available as a handy Kindle edition.
Some Remarks on Louis Theroux’s ‘America’s Medicated Kids’
Posted by: | CommentsAnyone in the UK (or with America with the BBC America channel) happen to see the recent new episode of Louis Theroux’s weird weekends, entitled ‘America’s Medicated Kids’? For those who missed it, he visited hospitals, special schools and families to find out about the extreme increase in children on medications. I know it will be contraversial, but felt moved to make a few points regarding this programme. Read More→
Proposed changes to upcoming DSM-V: have your say!
Posted by: | CommentsThe Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of mental disorders (DSM) is soon to be released in its fifth revision. Before its publication, however, the public apparently have a say in the proposed revisions.
Included in the proposal is the combination of all autistic disorders into one single entry for Autistic Spectrum Disorders – as well as the consolidation of certain psychotic conditions, and a new category for Psychosis Risk, intended to help treat patients earlier rather than once the problems have overtaken them. There will be rules enstated in order to prevent overdiagnosis…so they say. Read More→
Considering medication? Be informed, first – especially in America
Posted by: | CommentsAs someone who took various medications for three years and experienced SEVERE side effects that have emotionally scarred me even ten years on…and the drugs didn’t even work (!)…and as someone who instead went the psychology/therapy route and tried to understand more about myself and my difficulties, to come to a point of acceptance and learn to live with them and take control of myself…
I proudly present ‘Our Daily Meds’ by Melody Peterson. This book exposes all the pharmaceutical industry horror stories I’m sure many of us are aware of, but in graphic detail we often turn a blind eye to because, well, it’s terrifying.
I heard about this on Madness Radio, when they interviewed the author – it seems an invluable book to look at, if we ever hope to overcome the pharmaceutical grip on today’s Western approach to health. For more information, view the book on Amazon, or try listening to the interview on Madness Radio – a free podcast accessible via iTunes.
Vrinda Pendred
Editor & Founder of Conditional Publications
The no gluten, no dairy, low sugar neuro-diet challenge!
Posted by: | CommentsI’m sure we’ve all heard about the link between disorders such as autism/ADD and allergies to wheat and dairy. We’ve heard about the Glycaemic Index and making sure our blood-sugar levels are balanced. But how many of us are ready to put these ideas into practice in our daily lives?
I, for one, have turned a blind eye to this subject for too many years, because let’s face it, I like pizza and ice cream! But at what cost? That’s why this week I decided to be sensible and shift our family’s diet for good.
I will be honest: I like tofu, but I hate soya milk/yogurt, so I don’t know how to cut out dairy completely. But the no-gluten has turned out to be surprisingly easy. The main issue is cost. There is corn pasta, for example, which is delicious and naturally gluten-free…but it costs twice as much as a bag of normal wheat pasta, and you can’t go and get it from your local corner shop at 7pm when you realise you’ve run out of food! Read More→