Special Edition November 2014 - Greater Manchester Autism

Autism GM
Special edition newsletter
A u t I s m,
Special interests
and
Creativity
National Autistic Society
Family Services Development Project
Anglo House
Chapel Road
Northenden
Manchester M22 4JN
www.autismgm.org.uk
Telephone
0161 998 4667
Table of contents
Welcome . . .
All too frequently, with regards to the approach
towards the autistic condition, there is an emphasis
almost exclusively upon the problems that both
autistic individuals and their carers have to contend
with. Whilst, these problems are serious and in
genuine need of attention, this approach can also
portray a rather negative perspective of the autistic
condition. Hence, this newsletter attempts to show,
through the range of contributions from autistic
individuals from all ages, that many people on the
autistic spectrum have a range of savant abilities
which shine through their narrow but specialised
interests and pursuits.
Acting: Playing The lead role
in The Gruffalo’s Revenge
Stevie
Writing and creativity
Robert Kehoe
I would like to thank all contributors for their effort,
especially those from carers and families of autistic
children from which we had great difficulty
obtaining. This may reflect the time constraints and
difficulties they experience.
Quantumspirit
Guest Editor
2
page 4
Into the worlds of dinosaurs and anime page 6
Colin Tosh
Lego and hoovers
Dylan
Drawing inspiration form heroes
These interests and abilities can be observed from
an early age. Young Stevie, (Acting: Playing The lead Dominic Walsh
role in The Gruffalo’s Revenge) finds solace from the
anxiety of common social interaction through acting Photography and I
as a character within a play, where she expressed Ben Stone
her joy learning her lines and performing her role.
Chess
Some adults on the spectrum like to express their David
interests through writing, music, and poetry. Some
are already published or perform music semi- My story of writing, music, and poetry
professionally. Writing and Creativity explores an David Taylor
experience of the creative process when applied to
their own work of storytelling. It is like an How weightlifting complements
alternating cycle compelling the author to work my autism
feverishly one moment and to rest the next before it Alis Rowe
repeats itself. Another, (Photography and I)
although claimed they were no good at art, found
that photography was ‘his way of drawing’.
For one young woman with autism (How
weightlifting complements my autism) it is
weightlifting that provides solitude, reassuringly
repetitive movements, meditation, release of
anxiety, and development of self-esteem through
achievement.
page 3
page 9
page 11
page 13
page 15
page 16
page 19
Acting: Playing the lead role
in The Gruffalo’s Revenge
By Stevie (Aged 8years)
My name is Stevie and I am 8. I like being in plays. I used to get
nervous and anxious of people. I still don’t like it when there are lots
of people and they are talking or looking at me. But when I play a
character from a book I can be that person instead. Last week I was
in the ‘’The Gruffalo’s Revenge with my class. We all had our faces
painted and we all had costumes we had made with cardboard and
paint. We had lots of fun learning our lines and I laughed a lot.
When it was the day of the play I woke up and was really excited. I
wanted to put my costume on straight away when we got to school.
Everyone looked very funny. When we went to the hall there were
lots of people there. I was a bit nervous but everyone looked so
funny and no-one could tell it was me, I was the Gruffalo.
I enjoyed saying my lines to all the people and they smiled as the
Gruffalo roared. It was my best roar and very loud. My mum said
that it made some people jump out of their skins. Then we went
home and I was Stevie again.
3
Writing
and
creativity
By Robert Kehoe
Creative Writing has become my
mastered my interaction with it,
special interest over the last five
and haven’t learned whether I
years. I have read books about
can invite it directly. It seems to
writing, I have read countless
come and go as it pleases, but
novels to see how they’ve been
often it comes in cycles, like a
written, and I have discussed
wave that builds, peaks, and
writing
drops over a rock by the shore.
with
other
writers
online. But above all, I have
The idea comes slowly, always
spent a great deal of time
vague at first, but it simmers
writing.
Writing and creativity cannot be
separated,
and
this
is
particularly true when writing
fiction. An entire world must be
created in the writers mind,
along with characters and plot.
Without creativity there would
be nothing to make the fingers
work the keyboard or move the
pen.
Who knows where
creativity comes
from? We all have it
in different ways.
Over the years I have
nurtured mine into
storytelling, creating
characters and plots
and settings that seem
to have come from
nowhere.
and grows in the depths and
gradually
emerges
like
a
demanding guest, urging me to
get to work and write, sketch, or
otherwise put it to paper.
When it’s in full flow it takes
ownership of my brain and I feel
like a mere portal for its
delivery. Those are the times
when I have no choice but to do
its bidding and my usual routine
Who knows where creativity
is cast aside until it’s done.
comes from? We all have it in
For years I have been in this
different ways. Over the years I
slave like relationship with my
have
into
creativity. And I wouldn’t do
storytelling, creating characters
without it. For it allows me to
and plots and settings that seem
escape the real world and
to have come from nowhere.
explore
The unseen force of creativity
company of the characters it
visits me often. I’ve not yet
brings, who become my friends
nurtured
mine
4
new
ones,
in
the
Writing
and
creativity (cont.)
By Robert Kehoe
for the duration.
cycle that is always waiting to
After the creative burst has
take me in its clutch again.
gone I am left with the raw
The effect on mood is great.
results it has thrown at me. That
And I have reached a point in
is when I can take charge and
life where I can predict my
dictate the end result of this
moods based on where I am in
cycle. The characters that were
this cycle. I know when I must
prepare for the height of the
friends become puppets for me
cycle, and ease myself into its
to control, the settings and
events of the story become a
sculpture I can modify and
paint.
Then the cycle starts again,
either with new characters, new
settings, and new events, or
with new ideas for the one’s I’ve
just cycled through.
I have non-creative periods of
course. These are like voids in
my life, where I feel like I’m
I have non-creative
periods of course. These
are like voids in my life,
where I feel like I’m
nothing but a passive
observer of what goes on
around me, and I often
feel abandoned. But they
are necessary stages,
times of rest, without
which I would never gain
objectivity over what I’ve
produced.
nothing but a passive observer
absence. But this learning has
been
slow,
and
that
autonomous cycle is always
surprising me.
But I go on and on with it,
allowing it to take my time and
energy, for I have set my goals,
and
with
each
cycle
that
thunders by, I slip nearer to
them. And with my gift for
focus, analysis, and ‘what-if’
thinking, I see only a matter of
time before my goal is met.
of what goes on around me, and
So if you feel creative one day,
I often feel abandoned. But they
don’t be shy. Let those ideas
are necessary stages, times of
take you, be open to their
rest, without which I would
demands, and get to know your
never gain objectivity over what
own cycle.
I’ve produced. And they don’t
last, because these empty times
are vulnerable to the creative
5
Into the worlds of
dinosaurs and anime
by Colin Tosh
I have been attending ASGMA
just what companies do to these
for well over 1 year now and I
shows in order to make them
have met people who claim
appeal to children. I decided to
they are my “friends”. I haven’t
take a simple approach and
actually had proper friends
watch
since primary school.
version first and then watch the
I am
the
dubbed
English
amazed that there are people
Japanese subtitled version.
there
who
had
the
then look at the original source
to
my
material which is usually the
rambling about my interests. I
manga. I gather more manga
have actually converted some
once every month and have a
patience
have
I
to
listen
into taking an interest in my
primary
hobby,
manga.
For those who don’t
know,
anime
anime
is
and
animation
mainly coming from Japan. This
obsession
started
with
something called Sailor Moon.
Since the second I started
watching this show the theme
tune had stuck in my head and
the voice acting and scripts
were laughable. It appeared to
me
the
writers
were
on
For those who don’t
know, anime is
animation mainly
coming from Japan. It
has have every kind of
theme you can imagine.
The content can appeal
to adults as well. You
should look up a theme
you are interested in
because there is likely
something that will
appeal to you.
small amount of it. I am close
to passing the 100 mark soon.
Interestingly, the manga can
often be as heavily edited as the
dub. Yugioh and Venus Versus
Virus are the best two examples
to use in that case. The Venus
anime didn’t even have a proper
ending. Yugioh has rather dark
stuff edited. I will not get into
the details as it may raise
curiosity.
Despite the fact I have found
minimum wage and the voice
interest in virtually every anime
actors were desperate for cash.
I watch I will never ever sit
I had spent hours of my life
myself through horror. I don’t
watching Sailor Moon, Yugioh,
have the stomach for it. Anime,
Digimon,
Z,
despite being animation, does
Pokemon etc. Any show I had
have every kind of theme you
the time to watch.
can imagine.
The interest took off from there.
different than the amount of
I
drawn
adults that watch South Park,
between the comparisons of
Family Guy or The Simpsons.
have
Dragonball
long
been
6
To me it is no
Into the worlds of
dinosaurs and anime
(cont.)
by Colin Tosh
They are all of a similar nature
Many Disney films, Harry Potter,
but the content can appeal to
Thriller yet funnily enough, my
adults as well.
mum was reluctant to show me
If you aren’t
interested in anime then you
Jurassic
Park
because
she
should look up a theme you are
thought it might scare me. It
interested in because there
didn’t scare me at all. There is a
likely is something that will
completely different thrill I get
appeal to you.
watching dinosaurs then the
many things that have scared
This is nothing compared to my
main research, dinosaurs. The
me over the years. I was also
largest majority of my time may
saying words which my mum
go into watching anime or
thought were impossible to say
reading manga but I watch
every single documentary I can
find. This will include Horizon
on BBC, Walking With, March
of, Clash of etc. I don’t only
watch the educational themes
though. I have watched most of
the dramatic shows and films
like Dinotopia, Primeval, Terra
Nova and obviously Jurassic
Park.
I
portrayals
interesting
always
of
as
the
find
This is nothing compared
to my main research,
dinosaurs. I watch every
single documentary I can
find. I have watched most
of the dramatic shows
and films like Dinotopia,
Primeval, Terra Nova
and obviously Jurassic
Park.
at the age of 2.
Tyrannosaurus
Saying
Rex
or
Stegosaurus stunned my mum.
I
knew
I
had
a
peculiar
attraction to these two subjects,
especially
in
regards
to
dinosaurs, Sailor Moon and
Yugioh, but I never thought
there was a malfunction in my
brain.
the
I learned I had autism long after
animals
I was officially diagnosed with it
many
will
but when I looked it up it
exaggerate features for the sake
explained every major problem I
of drama. Others may include
faced in life. The bad side of
vague clues on behaviour but
this is I couldn’t get over
mostly the animals are made to
somebody who shafted me over
frighten people.
my Yugioh cards. That is the
On the frightening front, I
point where my autism came
earlier mentioned that I am very
out. It can drive you mad when
easily scarred by horror. A lot of
something goes wrong and
things did scare me as a child.
nobody will listen to you. That
7
Into the worlds of
dinosaurs and anime
(cont.)
by Colin Tosh
is another side to me which I try
without
to keep away from view but it is
background or concept.
hard when everybody thinks the
may have picked up on this flaw
worst of you. On the other side
in this article.
of it I have learned a lot of
I have thought long and hard
things that has given me a large
explaining
the
You
about combining my two main
amount of knowledge which I
interests in the form of my long
can use for good things.
thought about story.
What I do think is parents need
concept of this started out as a
to
video game in college while
learn
more
about
the
condition and how it particularly
affects their children. While my
mum never really bothered with
what I did, my dad has hardly
been supportive at all, until he
learned something was wrong
with me. I think rather than try
to encourage children with
autism into something they
aren’t happy or comfortable
with, encourage them to look at
what
makes
them
happy.
Parents often make it out that
they
struggle
and
I
What I do think is
parents need to learn
more about the condition
and how it particularly
affects their children.
Rather than try to
encourage children with
autism into something
they aren’t happy or
comfortable with,
encourage them to look
at what makes them
happy.
have
learning programming.
The
That
was a long 6 years ago. As I got
stuck it became clear I didn’t
have the intelligence to design
games, I turned my concept into
a story. I never intend to get it
published
people
though
tend
to
because
make
connections which don’t exist
and accuse me of copying.
I
would like to draw out my work
to help me do something
constructive.
I would like
people to read it but it sounds
sympathized with my mum but
silly as I read it back to myself.
there is only so much you can
Thank you for taking the time to
control about it. Once I learned
read this.
how it affected me I have tried
Colin Tosh
to correct things and make
myself have a better life. One
such way it affects me is,
according to my critics, I tend to
throw out the knowledge I have
8
Lego and hoovers
By Dylan (Aged 8years)
Two of my favourite things are Lego and hoovers. Here is my ‘Lego city’.
I like Lego because it’s fun and it’s awesome.
I play Lego with my Mum at home.
I like the colours the best.
My favourite thing in my Lego city that I have
built is Emmit’s house.
My favourite character is called Emmit.
I like Emmit because he’s happy and he has a
red car.
9
I like hoovers because they pick up dust and I like their sound.
I think hoovers are fantastic and cool. I like to watch videos of them on YouTube and
I like to play with them.
My favourite Youtube videos are:
Dyson Animal DC59 review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSsM_6LXa28
and
Numatic Henry vacuum cleaner review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=s58s_VIHrQo
My favourite hoover is Henry Micro. I like him because I like his colour and his face.
There are different Henry the hoovers. They are
called, James, George, Harry, Hetty, Edward and
Charles.
This is the hoover I have at home. It’s called a Dyson Dc07.
This is the hoover I would like to have. It’s called
Dyson Animal DC59. I like this one because it’s
cool.
10
Drawing inspiration
form heroes
By Dominic Walsh
I have a special interest in Neil
Gaiman and Doctor Who. The
first Neil Gaiman book I read
was called American Gods
which I bought after reading a
review of it in SFX. I thought the
main character, Shadow, was
really amazing.
I liked him because he was a
good man who was quiet but
brave. I loved how in American
Gods ordinary places and
people seemed magical and
how a lot of the characters were
good men trying to do their
best. Neil Gaiman is my
favourite because his characters
feel like real people and you
want them to win through. In
my writing there are ordinary
people
encountering
extraordinary things.
I have written about somebody
who travels on a bus that goes
to fantastic places and a story
about a gamer who is tempted
by the devil. Both influenced
from reading Neil Gaiman’s
books because of how strange
and haunting the fantasy
elements are in his writing. Neil
Gaiman has a way of describing
ordinary and extraordinary
things in a way that is so precise
and perfect. You instantly
recognise what is being
described and you wonder how
you could have thought of it any
I have a special interest
in Neil Gaiman and
Doctor Who. Neil
Gaiman is my favourite
author because his
characters feel like real
people and you want
them to win through.
Doctor Who is optimistic
about humankind and
shows that ordinary
people can be incredible.
11
other
way.
My other special interest is in
Doctor Who. I watched the
Doctor Who movie with Paul
McGann as the Doctor when I
was eleven and I thought it was
great. When Doctor Who came
back on TV I watched it every
week. The reason I like Doctor
Who is because it is optimistic
about humankind and human
potential and because it shows
that ordinary people can be
incredible. The Doctor looks for
the best in everyone and gives
everyone a chance, which to me
is a fantastic trait for a hero to
have. My favourite Doctor is
played by Matt Smith because I
adore the sense of whimsy and
fun he brings to being the
Doctor. His idiosyncrasies such
as air kissing people when he
meets them for the first time
and his love of odd items of
clothing like bow ties and fezzes
endears the Eleventh Doctor to
me like no other. I wrote a
Doctor Who fan fiction in which
Eleven saves a suicidal girl and
convinces her to keep on living.
This was inspired by a
Superman comic I read.
Superman persuades a suicidal
girl not to kill herself and I
thought that Matt Smith's
Doctor would be perfect for
that kind of story because of
how enthusiastic about life and
Drawing inspiration
form heroes
(cont.) By Dominic Walsh
the universe he is. Another
inspiration for this story was
Neil Gaiman’s comic Death: The
High Cost of Living. I also wrote
a fanfiction where the Doctor
meets Calvin and Hobbes. I was
inspired to write this by the
homework from my creative
writing class which asked that
we write about a childhood
adventure.
Sometimes I am inspired to
write about my own memories.
I contributed to an anthology
for Alzheimer’s patients. I was
writing about my memories of a
friend who helped me through a
period of depression. Since
2010 I have been going to a
creative writing group in
Winsford that was run by a
lovely lady called Olwyn Dean.
We now call ourselves the
Winsford Writers. I also go to
the poetry session at Blue Sci in
Trafford Bar run by Jackie Hagan
who is awesome, and I have
been to my friend Joanna
Hope’s class in Stockport. These
groups have helped me make
friends and develop my writing.
I think joining a creative writing
class or group is really helpful
especially for people beginning
to write as it provides you with
a focus. The Winsford Writers
have given me prompts for my
writing and gotten me into the
Left-Right: Elizabeth Horrocks, Liz
Picken and Penny Luker of The
Winsford Writers Group
Sometimes I am inspired
to write about my own
memories. I contributed
to an anthology for
Alzheimer’s patients. I
was writing about my
memories of a friend who
helped me through a
period of depression.
discipline and habit of writing
every week. They have also
made me consider angles that I
would not have considered
before, such as writing for
characters in a soap opera.
Jackie's class allows me to have
fun with writing and to take it in
creative
and
humorous
directions
(often
involving
Doctor Who). Joanna's class
introduced me to texts I would
otherwise
have
not
encountered and challenged me
to think about things, for
example a prompt to write a
piece with the subject "I rage
against".
I love the buzz and the
excitement of having a new idea
for a story when it comes into
my head and then my mind will
just shoot off in all different
directions to where that story
might go. I really enjoy seeing
ordinary people in extraordinary
situations and I like to see good
people winning through in the
end. That’s why I love writing.
Many thanks to Joanna Bricher,
David Bruce, Jenny Hardiman,
Phyllis Armitage, Liz Picken,
Elizabeth Walker, Elizabeth
Horrocks and Will Butters for
editing
and
suggesting
improvements.
12
Photography
and I
by Ben Stone
I’ve been taking photos for as
long as I can remember and I’ve
always had that desire to
capture a moment in time and
create a memory of it. It all
started with a cheap film
camera and I gradually learnt
how to use it and eventually
moved to a 35mm camera with
the wonders of ‘auto focus’,
selectable shutter speeds and
the like. I then got into the habit
of taking photos and never
getting the films developed and
then just stopped pressing that
shutter button altogether.
Several years later, digital
cameras came along and whilst I
know some people hate digital
photography, I think it was the
calling I needed to get back into
photography. I’ve had my fair
share of cameras, and have yet
to find the ‘perfect’ camera, but
all of them gave me the
opportunity to capture those
‘Blackpool Illuminated’
Not being any good at
art, I guess photography
is my way of ‘drawing’. I
like the saying that ‘a
picture can tell a
thousand words’.
13
‘moments’. Not being any good
at art, I guess photography is my
way of ‘drawing’ and is also a
form of expression – it shows
what I see, what I like, etc., and
I like the saying that ‘a picture
can tell a thousand words’.
Landscapes are amongst my
favourite genre and I like the
peace and tranquillity landscape
Photography
and I (cont.)
by Ben Stone
photography can bring. For me,
it beats the hassle of street
photography, where you need
to be a bit bolder and thicker
skinned. I’ve learned with
photography that no matter
how much you know, there’s
always just as much to learn and
I’m still learning after years of
taking photos, and whilst it’s
not happened thus far, I’m
hoping that one day I’ll make a
living/career from it. It might
just be me, but I can look at a
photo I’ve taken: sometimes
from years ago and it kind of
takes me back to when I took it
– a bit like listening to an old
song you used to like and it
transports you back into a
memory. I often remember
what I was thinking at the time,
how I felt, etc. I think I must
have some Japanese ancestry
somewhere as I seem to have
the photography bug for taking
photos and I can’t imagine being
without a camera. In fact, it
doesn’t bear thinking about,
and If by some miracle I ever get
asked to do ‘Desert Island
‘Technicolor Fountains’
I can look at a photo
I’ve taken: I often
remember what I was
thinking at the time,
how I felt, etc.
Discs’, never mind the music I’ll insist on taking my camera!
Photography may not be your
cup of tea, but I think we’re all
good at something, so find what
you like doing/what makes you
happy and to quote Nike (other
sportswear
brands
are
available!) – ‘Just Do It.’
Ben Stone
14
By David Age 9years
15
My story of writing,
music, and poetry
by David Taylor
I have often heard it stated that
people with Asperger’s or other
such
autistic
spectrum
conditions lack imagination,
especially in the way of
creativity. Regrettably this is
accepted by many, particularly
the uneducated or misinformed
as the truth. It is a
generalisation
based
on
insufficient/inconclusive
evidence. However, this is not
always the case, as I would like
to think especially in this
instance.
At the age of ten, I myself was
diagnosed
with
Asperger
Syndrome. It should have,
needless to say, and would have
been sooner had it not been for
the ignorance of those around
me. My mother, Louisa, owing
to perhaps the vast majority of
time spent with me had pleaded
the case many a time to those
around her that there was
“something different about
me”. But ultimately to no avail.
This became more apparent
when I started high school and
try as I might found myself with
no/few friends.
For as long as I can
recall I would often find
myself with pen and
paper in hand scribbling
down some story or other.
I have had poems
published which is minor
but an achievement
nonetheless.
With regards to my “creativity”
this energy channelled itself (for
as long as I can remember) into
the art of writing. For as long as
16
I can recall I would often find
myself with pen and paper in
hand scribbling down some
story
or
other.
In
accompaniment with this I
would also have grandiose
ambitions to be a writer (or
musician, my other hobby).
Who knew it would become
reality. I have also had poems
published which is minor but an
achievement nonetheless. (I
have also noted how my
atypical use of language
synonymous with Asperger’s is
perhaps filtering through to my
writing style. This is not
intentional so please bear with
me).
In my mid-teens I began to
branch out in terms of what I
was writing. At this time I was in
the midst of an obsession with a
particular playwright, who I
chanced
upon
having
discovered him through a
person who was my idol at the
time. So I began to write plays
hindering under the naïve
assumption that they would one
day come to be performed on
the West End stage. This having
been
said
it
was
fun
nonetheless. I wrote with a
feverishness characteristic of
one who has Asperger’s and is
My story of writing,
music, and poetry (cont.)
by David Taylor
currently in the grip of an
obsession. I produced around
five or so plays at this time. Back
then I believed them to be
terrific, but now looking back I
can see that they were
mediocre at best. Still it was fun
while it lasted.
Another “talent” that I had
ready in my arsenal was that of
music. This art, while not
creative in a liturgical sense,
was nonetheless demonstrative
of my creativity in the art of
performance. Almost as long as
I had an interest in writing, so
too did I have an interest in
music.
Coincidentally I began to learn
the drums at the age of eleven.
One year after my initial
diagnoses of Asperger’s. After
completing High School (which I
might add was mainstream) it
only seemed fitting to go to
college and enrol on a music
course. This culminated in a
three year course in total where
I made some great friends,
many of whom I am still in
contact with to this day.
the Greater Manchester Area).
This led to the making of friends
who were more like-minded,
like myself, and I shall always
remain deeply grateful for this.
I began to learn the
drums at the age of
eleven. I was asked if I
would play drums for a
friend who was starting
up a band. Things began
to look up as we set to
work on an album with a
potential tour to
Germany and Belgium.
However this was not to
be.
In College it was said (by my
tutors) that I had an eclectic
taste in music, this channelled
through in terms of who I
listened too (Split Enz, Dirty
Pretty Things.) These were
bands outside the norm,
classical and the like. I was
asked if I would play drums for a
friend who was starting up a
band. After some consideration
it was decided that the band
would be called “Strangeways”.
(A nod to our Mancunian roots).
I accepted and soon we were
playing around three gigs every
week. However it took its toll, in
relation to my Asperger’s I
began to suffer terrible “anxiety
attacks” which affected my
performances. But with the
reassurances of my Mother I
muddled through it, albeit with
one or two sweat stained tshirts.
Things began to look up as we
set to work on an album with a
After College ended I went
through a tough time, but
through this I was put in touch
with ASGMA (Autistic Society in
potential tour to Germany and
Belgium. However this was not
to be. This was due to a sense of
17
My story of writing,
music, and poetry (cont.)
by David Taylor
hostility
between
two
fruitless. However, eventually I
out of my creative hobbies I also
founding members. The band
was chosen to have my poem(s)
liked to draw, and at one
disbanded, and that as they say
published by United Press Ltd.
particular
was the end of that.
As I write I am awaiting the
entranced by the work of Van
Fortunately not long after this
outcome of the National Poetry
Gogh
Competition, so whilst being
attempted a reproduction of
began to take off. For a long
hopeful I am also realistic, well
“The Scream”. Which I felt went
time my trawling of the internet
grounded etc.
quite well considering.
for poetry competitions proved
Whilst not being the strongest
David Taylor
particular
event
the
my
poetry
and
time
Munch.
Flight Of The Lark. David Taylor.
Night Creature. David Taylor.
Away, away flies the lark of the night.
Nocturnal creature of the night.
became
I
even
With so little will but so much fight.
Through darkened skies amongst stars so bright.
Fending for itself, through woods and valleys.
Brave in the face of the darkest alleys.
It was made for freedom and free it is.
Scrounging for a living from tables and bins.
Blessed with angel like wings marked with god`s kiss.
Knowing full well, he who is strongest wins.
Darwinian theory`s come into play.
Over hills and valleys so it does fly.
A sense of hostility keeps strangers at bay.
Left quite alone to its own devices.
Ascending ever higher into the sky.
Some mouldy bread, oh how it entices.
To its destination we know not where.
Grateful for so little.
From it we could learn.
But it does ever so freely without so much as a care.
Whilst we fill our bellies.
Its constantly churns.
A picture of innocence, untainted by the world.
To give is better, than to receive.
And its ignorant peoples who follow the herd.
Let us not be consumed by greed.
For there are many more like this poor creature.
A slave to thee, it will never be.
Who in this world too often feature.
Forever and always, it shall remain free.
To remind us of our selfish ways.
18
How weightlifting
complements my autism
by Alis Rowe
Weightlifting has become my
set of weight plates for as little
favourite thing in the world. It is
as £700 and they will last you a
the best sport for “an autistic”
lifetime.
person. I like it because it is
I like weightlifting because it is
solitary. It is not really a team
my way of meditating. It has
sport, although it can be if you
become as essential for my daily
choose it to be, the contribution
wellbeing
from
might prioritise meditation or
other
people
is
not
necessary. When I am lifting
weights, it is just me and the
barbell.
The
whole
going
Me and my barbell
world
disappears. Because it is not
dependent on other people, it is
totally within my control when I
want to do it. I can do it at any
time of the day, which suits my
routine-driven lifestyle. If I have
an unusually busy day I can
easily reschedule weightlifting
in order to fit it in. For example,
once I even did weightlifting at
3am because I was going to be
out the whole day.
I like weightlifting
because it is my way of
meditating. It has become
as essential for my daily
wellbeing as someone
else might prioritise
meditation or going to
church. For someone
with autism who enjoys
repetitive behaviours and
movements, weightlifting
is ideal.
as
to
someone
church.
else
The
movements are very specific
and controlled and breathing is
carried out carefully so you
could say it was relaxing.
Weightlifting is as technical as it
is strength-based, which is good
for someone like me or the
many autistic people who have
technical
and
mathematical
minds. Even if you are very
strong, you might not be able to
do a Snatch or a Clean and Jerk,
simply because you haven’t got
the technique. You are limited
Weightlifting is an inexpensive
or challenged as much by your
sport. You can do it in a gym (a
ability to focus and learn the
24 hour gym would be ideal for
movements, as you are by your
those who want to do it at a
strength, if not more so.
time to suit them with no
For someone with autism who
restrictions) but I like to train at
enjoys
home. Once you have bought
repetitive
behaviours
and movements, weightlifting is
the barbell and the weight
ideal.
plates, in theory you are good
There
are
only
two
movements. You can study
to go. You can buy a barbell and
endlessly on the internet how to
19
How weightlifting
complements my autism
(cont.)
by Alis Rowe
improve your technique. Even
will train it over and over and
the
are
sure enough, if you compare the
continually working on their
weights lifted before and after,
technique. Technique is never
you’d see an increase. That’s
perfect.
really motivating. The creative
Weightlifting is my way of
part of lifting lies not only in the
relieving anxiety. I can let go of
execution of the lifts, but also
all my inhibitions and stress
the tailoring of the programme
when I am with my barbell. It is
to meet individual goals. It is
a
way of releasing excess
very creative deciding which
energy, which for me is often
exercises are to go on each day
Olympic
manifested
athletes
as
anxiety.
Its
exercise which means you get a
rush of endorphins during and
after, which makes you feel
wonderful for the rest of the
day (one reason why I like
exercising in the morning!). As
somebody
who
lives
in
a
constant state of anxiety, it is
very important for me that I
have found a way to get rid of
some
of
that.
Weightlifting is my way
of relieving anxiety. I can
let go of all my
inhibitions and stress
when I am with my
barbell. The creative part
of lifting lies not only in
the execution of the lifts,
but also the tailoring of
the programme to meet
individual goals.
Weightlifting
and why.
Weightlifting
is
typically
performed in sets and reps. So,
for those who enjoy repetitive
movements, it is ideal. For
example, if you’re performing a
5 repetition set, that means you
get to do the same movement
five times. And this happens day
in and day out. For this reason
weightlifting
is
not
for
everybody. I have even heard
definitely does that.
professional lifters say that
I like how easy it is to monitor
sessions can sometimes
and
with
“same-y” and “boring.” But I like
it’s
it. It’s never boring for me. And
track
progress
weightlifting.
Because
mostly numbers based, it is easy
seeing
to observe how the weight on
makes it the most exciting thing
the bar changes as the days
in the world.
pass. Like anything, practice
Having
makes
appearance
perfect,
so
if
I’m
struggling on a particular lift I
progress
strength
can
over
be
or
time
a
also
fit
do
wonders for an individual’s self
20
How weightlifting
complements my autism
(cont.)
by Alis Rowe
esteem. Not only have I got
middle that is the experiment.
some nice muscles, it’s also
The middle can be manipulated
pretty cool to be able to do
in order to achieve the end (the
daring things such as squat
goals). The artist is enthralled by
whilst holding a barbell with
its elegance. If you ever watch
straight arms above my head.
an Olympic weightlifter move,
And not many adults I know can
you will see how elegantly
do handstands. Weightlifting is
smooth it looks.
impressive and good for self-
In summary, weightlifting is my
esteem.
special interest. It keeps me
I track my progress on a
relaxed
whiteboard. I have a long list of
exercises and each has a “1 rep
max” “5 rep max” and “3 rep
max.” Because there is such a
long list of exercises and each
exercise has three potential
opportunities for maxing, it is
likely that every session gets a
record. This is very rewarding
and motivating and is good for
people who are goal-orientated.
Not only have I got some
nice muscles, it’s also
pretty cool to be able to
do daring things such as
squat whilst holding a
barbell with straight
arms above my head. If
you ever watch an
Olympic weightlifter
move, you will see how
elegantly smooth it looks.
and
helps
keep
structure to the day. It keeps
me healthy. “A healthy body is a
healthy mind.” It keeps burning
that fire within me to achieve by
focusing on that whiteboard
and
getting
records
every
session. It is a good sport to
train discipline and consistency.
For someone like me who likes
doing the same things every
day, it is the perfect opportunity
You can come out of the gym
to get really good at something.
feeling as though you have
And to be really good at
accomplished something every
something, just one thing, gives
single time.
me so much more confidence
Although
weightlifting
when I go outside into the big
is
technical, I’d be inclined to say
wide world.
that it is both a creative art and
Alis
a science. The scientist is drawn
to it as though it were an
experiment. It has a beginning,
middle and end and it is the
21