Your Autism is a great magazine which you get as part of your membership with the National Autistic Society. It is delivered to your door four times over the year. I love a read of this as it has some really good articles and interviews. 

This month's edition includes an interview with Anne Hegerty from the quiz show The Chase. I'm a big fan of The Chase and the 'Governess' so I enjoyed reading about her life with Autism from diagnosis and how she became involved with the programme. 

There is also information about accessing mental health support from Lucy Armstrong who is a advisor from the NAS helpline.

Another great interview in this edition is with Travis Smith who plays Mark in the new series of The A Word. It was lovely to read about his experience portraying an Autistic person on TV, drawing on his own experiences as a Autistic teenager. 

The magazine also includes Your Autism Extra which is an online extension. It offers bonus material, reviews, advice and artwork. Members can also access an online version of the original Your Autism Magazine too. 

Annual Membership for the NAS is offered to:
an Individual - from £24 - concessions from £8 - overseas £36
Joint Membership - from £30 - concessions from £12 - overseas £42
to an Organisation - from £60 - overseas £66

Just go to the NAS website at www.autism.org.uk for more information about membership and to take advantage of your magazine. 

I do bring past issues of this magazine to our Derby Branch meetings so feel free to come along and have a look at them and see what you think. 

For now thank you for reading today and please join me tomorrow for another 'Pass the Remote'.

​Take care.

I like to share information with you of opportunities available and I haven't shared this one for a while. We were lucky to be able to have a day out with Merlin's Magic Wand a few years ago which was lovely for my son and for us as a family. 

I don't know about you but sometimes going out to any of the big attractions fills me with dread, not because of the Autism, yes we do have to pick places which I know are going to suit my son but the prices are very expensive.

If you have a child with a serious illness/long term illness, disability or disadvantage between the ages of 2-18 you can apply for a day out at any of Merlin's Attractions such as:

Sealife
Legoland 
Madame Tussauds
Alton Towers
Warwick Castle
Chessington Zoo
The London Eye
and Thorpe Park

It is worth it for a well deserved break and to help keep costs down too. So take a look at their website and contact them if you have any queries. 
www.merlinsmagicwand.org

I hope that helps a little, I think it's important to pass on experiences that we've experienced as a family as there maybe many of you that don't know this charity exists. 

Thank you for reading today.....if you like your tv please pop back tomorrow for my 'Pass the Remote' feature but for now......

Take care.

I'm pleased to see the return of another series of The A Word as the first series was such a success. It is now two years later and Joe is seven years old, we see the family learning how to cope after Joe's diagnosis of Autism and how they adapt to his condition as a family.

When watching the first series it was tough for me as a mum with a son who is also on the Autistic Spectrum. It brought back a lot of memories of his diagnosis and how the whole world of Autism completely changed our lives. It was emotional to watch but also I felt pride in a way that, finally I can watch a programme where I don't feel alone, there is a sense of reality and it raises awareness to those who know little about the condition.

The second series has got off to a great start, we are going to see the decisions which have to be made regarding education, is it better to go mainstream or special school? We took a route which involved both, my son went through mainstream until reaching secondary and after a lot of research and thought we decided a specialised school would be appropriate for our son and it was. I felt we had made the right decision and I personally couldn't have been happier with our choice.

It's tough and I think we are going to see the pressures and strains that arise along the way. I love the way this seems to be very real and I can relate to so much of the content. Max Vento is just brilliant at playing Joe in fact all the cast are phenomenal at getting this story over. My heart goes out to Paul and Alison Hughes played by the wonderful Lee Ingleby and Morven Christie as they portray us as parents but I just think the other star of the show is Christopher Eccleston who plays Joe's grandad.

Isn't he just so funny? He brings light entertainment and humour to the situation. Yes there are laughs to be had as well as tears. I just love him and you can bet if you are wanting to ask a question or you're not quite sure how to air your query, Maurice is going to just get in there and say it anyway. Blunt and straight forward he is but that's exactly what is needed. It isn't all about listening to professionals talk with their fancy lingo it's about hearing everything as it is and he brings that element to the show so well done BBC and perfectly acted by Christopher. 

So on we go and I'm sure I will discuss it again probably at the end of the series to sum it all up. I would be glad to hear your comments, what do you think? Is it true to life? Can you relate to any of the characters? 

I hope it does help and I hope it makes people think a little more about those who are living with Autism. Remember that there is support groups out there. I do help run support groups as part of the National Autistic Society and yes I can totally understand Paul (Joe's Dad) not finding it easy to engage in a group. I'm glad the programme touched on that because it is hard to go along and the stigma attached to the words 'support group' can be terrifying for some. It is really friendly though and such a good way to go forward with Autism, it allows you to gather information and speak to others who are going through exactly what you are going through. 

We also have biscuits and a brew, what's more to be said? That's worth it alone for a brew, I'd go anywhere for a cuppa. So don't be put off please seek help, we are a friendly bunch. Maybe in the future with permission I may do a feature on one of our groups so that you can actually see what it is all about so watch this space. 

Thanks for reading today, if you need any more information about Autism or would like to search for your local support group go to the National Autistic Society website at www.autism.org.uk

Take care.

I've watched the first two episodes of this now and I have to say I'm really impressed. If anyone is going to be critical about this it's going to be us lot with Autism, families and anyone really in the Autism world. 

I really struggle to find anything negative about it, its well written, brilliant acting and a great balance between the positive and negatives of Autism. Again like other programmes this is one persons life with Autism and Dr Shaun Murphy has savant syndrome which is going back to Rainman territory but bringing it up to date and more relevant to other issues associated with Autism.

I love it and really can't stop smiling about it. I love the flash backs to his past which help you understand why he feels the way he does and there are more in the first episode to set the scene so that you do get to understand his background. He makes progress and he adapts to situations, usually after learning from error and especially in social situations. Ain't that life though and sometimes so true with Autism.

Freddie Highmore was a perfect choice for this role and adds a lovely comical element to his character too which is also true to life. Dr Neil Melendez brings in the prejudice which is there and you would expect in this situation, as we say, 'there's always one that doesn't get it' but then you can understand his concerns but cannot tolerate his behaviour. He represents the few that need to be further educated and more understanding. Dr Aaron Glassman plays the president of the hospital who has known Shaun since he was younger and has given his full support to him. He understands that he is not necessarily great socially but this doesn't mean he doesn't have the potential of being a great surgeon I want everyone with Autism to have a Dr Glassman with them What a great mentor. 

Dr Shaun Murphy possesses what is needed from his role as a surgeon, a great mind and the skill to be able to work in his field and become a success, that's if others would let him. I love that one minute I'm punching my fists high in the air and shouting 'yes', get in that theatre and operate mate but then he comes against a brick wall which ok I don't like but it's what is believable and would happen. We can't sugar coat Autism, as from experience it isn't sweet all of the time but it is worth fighting through.

I am not going to apologise for gushing over this programme, it's what we've been waiting for. I hope it continues to be great, I hope it runs and runs and I hope it wins awards. It doesn't have to as awards are not everything but I hope people just love Dr Shaun as much as I do. Well done to the creators, you've done good.

The Good Doctor is on Sky Living here in the UK every Friday at 9pm so please give it a try and tell me what you think. I'd love to hear your comments.

Thank you very much for reading, join me again tomorrow for Pass the Remote for more tv comments. 

Take care for now......