I recently came across this article. It is from last year but i think it is still very important and current. It is about an artist named Rebecca Burgess who created a comic which redesigned the autism spectrum. It gets rid of the of the linear spectrum chart which basically states that: ‘you are autistic, you are not or you’re in between’.

Rebecca wanted to smash the stereotype and basically show the consequences of stereotyping in a creative way. She says: “I want people to understand that autistic people don’t all fit a stereotype, and show people the consequences of stereotyping,” Burgess, from the U.K., told The Mighty in an email. “[Stereotyping leads to] underestimating the skills of autistic people or not believing someone [who is on the spectrum].”

Read the full article here: https://themighty.com/2016/05/rebecca-burgess-comic-redesigns-the-autism-spectrum/

VOTE HERE!

https://www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk/projects/view/sensory-equipment-for-little-miracles-ramsey

Vote closes 3rd April!

Little Miracles Ramsey supports families that have children with additional needs, disabilities and life limiting conditions. This project will see the creation of a multi-sensory studio which is specifically designed environment that will enable people who attend Little Miracles to enjoy a very wide range of sensory experiences for learning, stimulation, therapy, relaxation and fun.

Whilst Little Miracles supports families with disabled children this project goes much wider than this. The group is based in a rural location where families struggle to get to the larger cities and there is no other public access sensory room currently in the local authority. We are in the same building as a local school, and where children’s services provide support to families. However, in the times that we are not using the room we will be able to offer it to the wider community so that even more people will be able to benefit.

Many children with disabilities but specifically those with Autistic Spectrum Disorder also experience sensory sensitivities and we can work with the families to target specific difficulties to reduce sensory overload. For the family this will mean the opportunity to understand their child’s needs better, and for the child it will mean reduced meltdowns, improved behaviour and increased learning opportunities.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is a lifelong condition. Someone with FASD can sometimes find it difficult to make friends. This means it is important to build a safe social life for them, for example arranging activities for them that are non competitive. If possible, it is best for them to be in an environment where there are other people who understand, and are more accepting of those with learning disabilities. Building a network of people that the child or adult can turn to will be very beneficial.

Characteristics of FASD can vary at different ages. Toddlers may have hyperactivity, poor memory, lack of fear and no sense of boundaries. During the primary school years, children may be easily distracted with short attention spans and have difficulty with motor skills. Older children can have low self esteem because they may think they’re different. Finally, teenagers can have poor impulse control and be unable to distinguish public and private behaviours.

Children with FASD can have developmental delays. As an example, children with FASD can exhibit the social behaviour of a 7 or 9 year old. FASD children can become isolated as they often do not maintain relationships with peers. An early diagnosis is essential is key as it allows for early intervention. This means there is the opportunity for the appropriate and support.

So I am writing this in response to “The trouble with charity … and honours” by Nigel Thornton published in ‘Peterborough Today’ earlier this week.

The full article can be found at: http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/opinion/the-trouble-with-charity-and-honours-1-7814119

“David Beckham’s charity efforts put me to shame – in fact most people’s do.

Unlike David, who let’s face it is the ultimate chugger – I don’t give of my time to help others and if I’m honest I rarely put my hand in my pocket and drop coins in a tin. And if I do, it’s usually because I’ve been embarrassed into it.

I’m not mean and my heart is not made of stone so why do I have such a problem?

It is the frightening randomness of charity that unsettles me. Who says children with that terrible condition, are more deserving than children with that other terrible disease?

The most successful charities are often the ones that offer the best photo-opportunity and/or possess the most well-oiled fund-raising machine. And that can’t be right.

It’s not that I think the recipients of charity are not worthy of it – far from it. I just believe that in a mature, sophisticated society like ours people who need help shouldn’t be dependent on the kindness of strangers.

Instead I think we should all pay more taxes. I realise I’d never get elected and I don’t think my old mucker Becks would agree judging by what I’ve been reading has been alleged about his tax affairs.

But that extra revenue could then be used to help people who need it.

Becks and other celebrities wouldn’t have to work so hard encouraging us all to cough up on an ad hoc basis.

There is one huge flaw in my plan – and that is it would undermine those fantastic people who man cake stalls in draughty halls, cycle from here to far away, and shave their heads.

Amazingly, most of them don’t do it because they want rewarding they do it because they are good people.

In Peterborough we have many fantastic small charities run by people who make a difference.

Michelle King and Little Miracles, Steve Thorpe and Sam Downing at the Free Kicks Foundation, John and Rosie Sandall’s Chernobyl charity to name just three fantastic organisations.

I am genuinely in awe of these people and the work they do.

Like Becks, I’m not a fan of our honours system (although I think we may have different reasons) but if anyone deserves a gong it’s people like Michelle, Steve, Sam, Rosie and John.

I’m not forgetting Becks – he should be given the Freedom of Bridge Street (freeman are allowed to ride a bike down the street and sit on a blanket with their dog) and be the king of the chuggers.”

We hope everyone had a wonderful christmas and are all looking forward to the year ahead! Thank you to everyone that came down to our events over Christmas and made it very special. We hope you had as much fun as we did. The highlight of the christmas period was by far the panto! We had 672 people attend the event and it was a fantastic evening for all involved!

The picture above showcases the scale of the event!

October half term is finally upon us, and that means, the busiest and craziest time of the year for Little Miracles. Fortunately, we have lots of weird and wonderful events planned for the children to enjoy.

Starting the week off is Sublime science!

This is a wonderful event led by an external provider which involves a whole range of weird and wacky science based experiments and activities. Each session lasts for an hour and fifteen minutes, and allows children to really get involved with practical activities.

Tuesday is Arts and crafts day…with a twist. As it is Halloween soon, we thought we would mix up this session by making lots of spooky, wonderful decorations. On Wednesday, we are travelling to the amazing Wick steed park!  Here the children can run around, go on rides and generally just roam the park. It’s going to be a fun filled day for all.

Thursday, we are once again getting involved with lots of arts and crafts, making more decorations for our Halloween party on Friday! Finally, as you may have guessed, we’re hosting a Halloween party for all of our children involved. We’re expecting a massive turn out so it’s guaranteed to a fun filled, spooky night for all.