Anyone watching Celebrity Mastermind?

I've just seen this topic and have read it through before posting.

bellsisabelle We are having an argument as to whether he is really autistic or not. They say he is, I say he isn't. And your training for this 'diagnosis' is years spent reading special needs posts on Mumsnet? Please tell me I'm hallucinating and you didn't really write that

Anya Children with ASD need 'labels' (or diagnosing as we prefer to call it) as that is the only way they can get support and the extra help they need. Sorry if I keep going on but I feel very defensive about GS1. He's been dealt a difficult hand. I so agree and would add that his parents have also been dealt a difficult hand.

I took my DGS to see his GP about a cough a few years ago and mentioned that his parents were worried he may be autistic. The GP asked if he laughed voluntarily at something funny (so not just repeating what others were doing) and commented he could see the child kept eye contact so no, he didn't have autism and anyway there were plenty of surgeons at xxx (a top London hospital) who were autistic so not to worry about it. Thankfully the parents weren't satisfied with that and 18 months later he was diagnosed as being on the spectrum.

I could go on at some length about the range of autistic behaviours, disabilities and the difficulties of everyday life but will instead suggest bellsisabelle that you read a bit more about it before making such assertions again.

Right, now I've watched it I would him firmly on the spectrum. I think his red hair, nail varnish and tattoos are his version of GS1's costumes. And the garden design based on the Fibonacci sequence was the clincher. GS1 would think that was brilliant.

Agreed Judy and a nice tribute to them
The thing is though, that more autistic people don't have a job at all ( of any kind) than do have one.My DGS is autistic, and intelligent ( it doesn't always follow) but would have to change a great deal in the next five years to even be in with a chance of a job.
Still, we live in hope.

There was a fascinating article in the Sunday Times Supplement about 18 months ago where their reporter spent a day at GCHQ. Apparently over 60% of their employees are on the autistic spectrum. The reason being that these special people are generally of high intelligence, are extremely single minded and completely focused on their given tasks. They are brilliant code-breakers having numerical memories and rather like a dog with a bone will persevere with a problem till solved. The reporter found it strange that there was no chatting in corridors, by coffee machines, lifts, everybody just got on with their job. Thank goodness for these wonderful and differently able people who help keep our country safe.

A friend's son is autistic. He has quite a high-powered job, which involves public speaking. I once asked her about how he manages. The answer was that he has been told from a young age that there's nothing to worry about. As he takes things so literally, he doesn't worry.

What Anya said
I have seen The Autistic Gardener programme ( found him a bit annoying tbh) but if he is Asperger, he will enjoy showing off his knowledge/special interests etc.

Yes. I can well understand that Anya. (Dealt a very difficult hand). Very best to him.

Children with ASD need 'labels' (or diagnosing as we prefer to call it) as that is the only way they can get support and the extra help they need.

Sorry if I keep going on but I feel very defensive about GS1. He's been dealt a difficult hand.

Why do we all have to have labels now? I learnt from Alan that I was NT, probably!

I met Alan Gardner at Chelsea in 2015, we chatted, I assumed he was part of a tv crew. No, he was an award winning garden designer and a very pleasant man. I thought his tv series was great, it used the special talents of each person on the team and created some highly original gardens while giving them belief in themselves.
Good for him for going on to the Mastermind programme.

Yes, I realise that re the noises and was not trying to make light of it; DGD's little friend is autistic.

Sorry, did not mean either or, I realise that too.

I was just making the remark that small girls also can make annoyingly weird noises that go on and on and on
and on

Aspergers is part of the Autistic spectrum it's not either or.

My son doesn't appear oddball (quote) just not very communicative but he has an official diagnosis of High Functioning Autism.

Actually constant repetition (and I mean constant) of words, noises or movements is a symptom.

It's not just small boys who make weird noises, small girls can make extremely weird noises too, I have just been subjected to some of them.

I digress, that is not to do with Autism or Aspergers.

He's not that small anymore bells but that's just an example of how he can 'perform' when given a role and then something goes ping!

Also Btw, I got most of my knowledge of aUTISM AND ASPERGERS FROM MY YEARS OF READING THE SPECIAL NEEDS THREADS ON mUMSnet.

sorry for bad typing. got new keyboard and hate it.

BTW I would stress the word was HIS. Not mine. I wouldn't actually use it myself.

Yes, I get what you're saying Anya. Although in my experience, small boys and weird animal noises are not that unusual. But I do agree.

Watched the you tube merlot. He mentions "oddballs". And that's what's missing with him. There is nothing "oddball" about him.

GS1 has ASD. He performed his part in the pantomime, singing, dancing and acting perfectly and was word perfect. Half an hour later I had to order him out from under my bed and ask him to stop making weird animal noises.

Autism comes in various forms and in varying degrees. Deedaa understands that and has explained it well. I've tried to give you an insight.

Ana I used the wrong word, so, sue me.

I was totally off topic.

As you were.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyMDxNm51bw

Have a look and see what you think,bells

Yes. I googled about him. Aspergers. It does seem a very wide rangeing thing, autism. Still not sure about him. Is he just using that as a way to make himself a bit different and get noticed?

Oh so she did actually say that! I thought I must have misheard! She must have been nervous - surely.

Not just 'slightly' off topic...