Another very useful book for understanding autism is "Thinking in Pictures" by Temple Grandin. Grandin is one of the leaders in building equipment for handling large animals. She also has autism. At last report she was a professor at Colorado State University, although I'm not sure if that's still accurate. She writes books on animals and autism. She says that her autism actually helps her understand animals and see things through their eyes. She has written several other books on autism but I can't recall all the titles right now, but anything by her on autism should be helpful. She is also a frequent speaker at seminars on autism.

tphokie! Can imagine how grate that felt to watch your child feel so much enjoyment and comfortable in his surroundings!
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By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity -- another man's I mean.
Mark Twain

I'm happy that your son started coming out of his shell at the show. I had a similar experience long ago, and here I am, still joined at the hip with the music and the scene. There is really something therapeutic being among people who are understanding of other's differences. My thanks to all the heads out there, especially the ones at the Philly show...deadheads are good people...I'm happy you got to share that experience with your son. I'm biding my time until I can get out there with my boy. With any luck, this time next year we will be able to afford leaving the house.

I think tphokie is right, the people on the spectrum are gonna start coming out of the woodwork eventually, because the fact remains, the deadlot and Dead shows are good places for autistic people for a good many reasons...so I expect that there are more of us out there.

I went to an autism forum today...they were teaching school teachers about autism, and part of their training is talking to some aspies and asking questions. I took some notes, but I don't wanna post them yet, I'll wait until next week's forum and post both at once. I'm just blown away by tphokie's story right now. Here's to the boys for making our scene possible, here's to the fans for making our scene possible, and here's to you MaryE for making our online scene possible...

Nostrovia

tphokie, later today when he comes online, whether he has any info to share with us about this eye wandering topic. I would also suspect, like your boss joked, that he may have been in a sort of dreaming while awake (daydreaming if you will) state-but then I am no expert so I will ask.
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By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity -- another man's I mean.
Mark Twain

I think we will definitely do that!