Autistic Spectrum Digest (Autism) Issue 14, December 2014 | Page 2

So   we   come   to   another   Christmas,   another   year   drawing   its   penul7mate   breath.   A   7me   for   cheer,   celebra7on   and   a   reminder   of   the   love   we   share   in   the   strength   of   our   families   and   our   hearth.       I  don’t  think  I  ever  truly  valued  the  strength  of   core  family  values  un7l  everything  went  wrong.   How   suppor7ve   people   around   me   are.   I’ve   always   been   one   to   kind   of   stand   back   and   watch,  keeping  myself  to  myself,  and  geAng  on   with   things   in   a   quiet   non   singing   and   dancing   kind  of  way.           Personally   this   year   has   been   very   difficult   in   casa  Ellis.  Moving  cross  country  to  be  nearer  my   support  network,  and  leaving  an  old  way  of  life   behind,   has   been   at   7mes   a   very   humbling   experience.   We   never   know   what   to   expect   whilst   life   pours   down   on   us.     When   at   my   darkest   7mes   this   year,   I   knew   I   had   a   strong   family,   good   support   and   a   few   friends   who   truly   believed   in   me   and   became   my   backbone   when  it  seemed  I  could  go  no  further.     Why  am  I  wri7ng  this  in  my  editorial?  Because  it   dawned   on   me   that   we   on   the   spectrum   although   we   may   think   we   are   func7oning   independently   and   do   not   need   the   support   of   others,  we  do.  We  may  all  be  different  in  many   ways,   our   intelligence   varies,   as   does   our   understanding.   Not   all   of   us   need   hugs,   and   physical   love   –   but   it   is   always   an   amazing   feeling   to   know   that   you   are   wanted,   useful   or   valued  for  who  you  are  and  what  you  do.       That   is   my   reflec7on   aQer   this   busy   and   some7mes  very  upseAng  year.       We  have  an  amazing  variety  of  ar7cles  for   you  this  month.         If  you  are  siAng  at  home  and  reading  this   thinking   “I   can   do   that!”   then   please   do   get  in  touch  with  me,  I  would  love  to  hear   f r o m   y o u .   P l e a s e   e m a i l   m e   a t   [email protected].  Your  work  could  be   featured  in  our  upcoming  magazines.     We   would   like   to   extend   you   all   a   joyful   and   happy   Christmas   wherever   in   the   world   you   are,   and   thank   you   sincerely   for   your   love   and   support   this   year.   You,   our   readers   make   this   magazine   what   it   is.       Thank  you  so  much.     Shãn     2