Learning to Read Lento

How do you read? Do you skim the print quickly, scanning from left to right, top to bottom? Or do you read slowly, taking notice of every word, every phrase, every sentence, letting the language roll over you like waves at the beach. In our digital age we have learned to read quickly: scanning and …

Our New Normal

Only a few months ago we were wondering what the new year would bring. At the time Australia was in the middle of an apocalyptic fire season. This was followed by floods. Now we are in the grip of the Corona Virus pandemic that is sweeping across the world, taking lives and dramatically changing the …

Breaking the Communication Barrier

Communication difficulties and autism go hand in hand. It might be misunderstanding facial and body cues, taking things too literally or just physically getting the words out. Dan’s communication difficulties were the first indication that something was different. It was a very frustrating time for all of us. There was a lot of pointing, leading …

Dan the Mailman

In this digital age, an actual letter in the letterbox is a rare occurrence. Most of our mail is announced with a ping in the inbox rather than the roar of a motorbike. Yet every day we still trek out to the letterbox, just in case there is something to retrieve. However, apart from the …

I Love a Good Story

In the Age of Technology there are champions and nay-sayers. Some praise the wonderful advantages of technology in the modern life, while others voice concerns about failing eyesight, bad posture and poor social and communication skills. I'm inclined to think that both sides have a point. Technology is a major part of our lives today …

The Trials of the Non-verbal

Dan is non-verbal. Well, that's what I usually tell people when they first meet him because it's easier than trying to explain the ins and outs of his oral communication abilities. But he's definitely not mute. You can ask his sister, Bec, about that! Dan loves to sing – at any time of the day …