Dr Hélène Cohen

Lots and lots of talking and conversations about autism what causes it?, how do we stop it?, how do we cure it? , what im not seeing a lot of is Reminders that autistic children become adults, talking about homelessness amongst autistic people, and unemployment. i fear that all we'll see is supermarkets promoting autism awareness hours during times, that were already quiet and an upsurge of autism friendly screening of Disney movies at the cinema, ironically we'll see tick box schemes aimed at the very people that don't fit into boxes.

Ryan's a autistic youg man with learning disabilities, he has 2 younger brothers, his younger brother Brady is home from university for the summer, he has a summer job at a pub in town doesn't get home until the early hours, so he's fast asleep in bed, Ryan goes into his room periodically checking on his brother, seeing if he's awake, then as he's waking up Ryan sits on the floor next to his bed, puts his hand on his little brother and says, Brady I'm going to miss you when you go to university , there was a time Ryan never spoke a word, and here he is telling his little brother he's going to miss him, proud dad. #autism

We were in Taco Bell earlier, we walked in me holding Ryan's hand, and we ordered Ryan's food. The guy asked anything for you? I say no Thank-you, we then go to the table , I get Ryan's drink, I then pick up Ryan's food when our numbers called, I then help him with things like his straw and those fiddly little sauce packets all the while the guy that served us is watching us, he then comes over with a empty cup he just hands me this cup, I say thankyou we've already got the drink , no he says its for you , we've been awake since before 5am and honestly I'm shattered, these seemingly small acts of kindness mean so very much, so I just want to say thankyou to the guy in Taco Bell Cheltenham for your kindness.

Ryan's a really popular young man and people love hearing about him and his adventures, people get in touch and ask to send him items,we have a arrangement with the local post office who very kindly take in post for Ryan, yesterday I had phone call fom the post office they found a little tiny parcel wrapped in Christmas paper addressed to Ryan in their overflow cupboard that they use at Christmas, it looks like a little piggy wrapped in a blanket, it all looks handmade, thankyou to whoever sent Ryan this little piggy .🐷