Today it was lunch at the popular Poacher's Cottage, a pub on the edge of the greater area of Newcastle. It was fine, as was most food we had in England.
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Now comes the tragic part. Also attending was R's youngest niece who has two boys. The niece must be pushing forty now but when visiting Australia with her parents, she turned 21 here. Her youngest is about three and has the face of an angel, with long curly blond hair. He is profoundly autistic. He does not communicate at all with anyone, including not recognising his parents. He doesn't even answer to his name. I am not sure why, but they have to wait until he is three before serious intervention help begins. His mother still works and his father stays home to look after him, with the assistance of R's Sister 3. It doesn't get better. His eight year old brother has also been late diagnosed with autism, although that is essentially just a developmental delay of a couple of years. Once you are aware of it, you can see the symptoms.
R's nephew's back garden is nice, including a billiard room with a bar.I thought I took photos, but it seems not.
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It was just a sandwich for dinner later.
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Autism is such a difficult condition to deal with. I hope the boys' parents get the support they so desperately need.
ReplyDeleteI am sure they will receive the support they need JB.
DeleteEchoing jabblog. Three sounds late for intervention to me, but I do hope they get some support. SOON.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that the rest of your post was more cheerful. And sounded like fun for all.
EC, I can't imagine it is not intended. A couple of people I've spoken to say the earlier the better.
DeleteMost parents are not ready to deal with disability in their children. It does seem like an elephant in the room acting the way you described.
ReplyDeleteRoentare, so true. You can never prepare for anything like that.
DeleteThe Stalker
ReplyDeleteI am sure that they will get great support.there is so much awareness now , Children on the spectrum often have particular talents, a number are geniuses in particular areas …particularly stem subjects, and also with creativity . Rs family sound loving terrific and supportive of all their family group . Good wishes to them. All children are precious
Stalker, I can never see that coming from the young one. Maybe one day he will just sit at a piano and know how to play it. Her sister and mother take on the older boy for periods.
DeleteYour niece and her family have their hands full. That is tragic.
ReplyDeleteDebby, it is a situation not to be envied, that's for sure.
DeleteSounds like they are a supportive family. Being that far along the spectrum is very challenging for everyone, not least the kid.
ReplyDeleteCaro, they are supportive. I wonder what his thinking is like. He is only three.
DeleteIt seem like more youngster is diagnose with Autism now. I wonder what cause it.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest Granddaughter is autism, but she high funtional.
Coffee is on, and stay safe.
Dora, nothing as far as I know causes it. It just happens.
DeleteI've read that autistic people, even severely autistic people, have the same emotions and same range in IQs as the rest of us, but process information differently, and that, unfortunately, is what can cut them off from the rest of the world.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds plausible Kirk. You can tell he processes things, but not people.
DeletePoacher's Cottage, doesn't look like a pub at all; it looks like a lovely cottage in the middle of the countryside as you say. I find that very appealing.
ReplyDeleteHels, there are many such places like that spread around and they are popular.
DeleteThe cottage looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, some people do have their hands full with their children.
Love the tulips.
The cottage was nice Margaret and quite large inside. Two weeks later, the tulips had gone to god.
DeleteI would like to know why they wait so long for intervention and help, surely the earlier the better? The pub/cafe/restaurant looks delightful.
ReplyDeleteRiver, as I understand it here, as soon as there is a diagnosis, treatment begins. I guess you've heard or know the same.
DeleteI met a young man a couple of years ago, who is non-verbal, but brilliant with a keyboard and a video camera, he was about 20 before others recognized his abilities, up to that time the world had focussed on his disabilities.
ReplyDeleteTP, that's a nice twist.
DeleteMy niece has an extremely autistic daughter who was mute for quite a long time, And terribly angry, screaming, kicking her parents and her grandparents. But a special school has done wonders with her. And incredibly, to our tearful joy, she is now reading. Intervention can't start early enough. Why on earth is autism so terrifyingly common now? Is it the food chain? It baffles me.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
WWW, that is miraculous. Untreated? Who knows. Only crackpot theories as to why seem to come forth so far.
DeleteThat's terribly sad to think one family dealing with two autistic children. How will they cope over the years, I wonder. That's a hard card to pull.
ReplyDeleteTruly Strayer, the older boy seems well adjust, just a bit behind. It is the young one who is really the issue. His mother and her husband's path has been set in life.
DeleteI appreciate your sharing this, the beauty and sorrow. Best wishes to you and yours, my dear.
ReplyDeleteCheers Darla.
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