World Autism Awareness Day April 2

The theme of World Autism Awareness Day this year is 'Empowering Autistic Voices' which aims at providing more support and power to the individuals with this condition, in order to ensure they lead a meaningful life and even pursue successful careers.

I have a grandson who is 15 and diagnosed as Autistic, I am trying to figure out a way to help him succeed in his life because right now he doesn't have a chance in hell

1. Priming: This prepares the student with autism for a situation or task. They may feel anxious if exposed to a sudden change or a new addition to their routine. A surprise class quiz or test, for example, can result in emotional meltdowns. However, if informed well in advance, they tend to take any test with utmost sincerity. Similarly, deciding on a signal for time to pause when in group conversations allows them to maintain unsaid social protocols.

2. Managing sensory stimulation: This is critical to keep the learning environment less stressful. It helps to understand the student's discomfort with flickering lights, unpleasant sounds, specific textures, etc., and address them as needed. Driven by senses, they might want to sit closer to the teacher who smells like their mother, in a quiet corner in a library, or might want to hum while working, etc.

3. A list of potential behaviours: List of a short and unambiguous list of expected behaviours can keep students with autism in control of their actions in a group setting. It’s more effective if this list is available visually in front of them.

4. Flexibility: Flexible approach to reading and comprehension of text ensures that students continue to be engaged in intellectually stimulating content, which might be the subject of their intense interest too.

5. Direct instructions: Explicit and direct instruction in the usage of figurative language will help students in their conversations with their peers. They tend to interpret expressions like metaphors, idioms, etc., literally, and thus familiarising them with the most commonly used figurative terms and phrases is important.

6. Teach as per their style: Working with the students on their frequency helps them reduce their outbursts. For example – not forcing them to write legibly, letting them take as much time in completing their work, allowing them to walk out of the class when it becomes overwhelming, etc.

7. Maintain a positive vibe: Facilitate a positive social environment for them by praising them for their unique strengths in front of their peers; awarding them with a certificate for something they are good at, along with their peers for their achievements; giving them responsibilities in events, etc.

8. Encourage them to speak out: Allowing them to verbalise their understanding of the concepts rather than in a conventional written format also encourages them to focus on the value of learning rather than a rigid form of expression.

Hindustan Times

 

 

 

 

It is Poetry month

 Please join me. Write a poem about Natures song and add it to the comments if you want to play. Can't promise a prize but I would love to see them.

Todays prompt was:

Nature's song

Nature's song sings in my soul,
A melody that makes me whole.
Each note a whisper, pure and clear,
Nature's song sings in my soul.

In every breeze, I feel it near,
A harmony that's always here.
Nature's song sings in my soul,
A melody that makes me whole.

It has been so long, I've missed its cheer,
Nature's song sings in my soul.

Yesterday turned into a wonderful day! Not only did I get to meet this little guy while I was putting Easter Eggs out but I also met a bunch of littles and spent time with them.

The group to the right consists of from left to right: my niece Tori, Mordecai, Jackson, Damien, Athena & Tori's friend Aria 

GS #1 and #2 (14 & 15) were also there but didn't want to get a picture taken still they enjoyed the egg hunt as much as the littles did

To complete the afternoon we took this crew to McDonalds for lunch. A good time was had by all including me. My day wasn't complete though as later in the afternoon I heard children out back playing so I said hi, turns out they live in the second last house behind me. I miss the sound of the song of children's voices.

The next part of this entry is a bit of a heads up as I will be talking about Autism ( & other brain diseases) as well as poetry this month. But the thing I'm not sure about is if I should share my stable diffusion creations here or someplace else. Last month I did it on Pinterest and I am seriously considering that again. I just keep thinking there has to be a way to make them do something besides look pretty and be an example of AI art this prompt system I am using is single words or phrases which is great for a one-off but it isn't really a creative expression of me so this month I might just ignore the single word prompts and actually create something from all those bits and pieces I've collected





April Intentions

My intentions:

Awareness days through the month : Autism, Day of Pink, Wear a star day, Earth Day, & Pay it forward

Adventures are in the plans including a few things for my Photo-A-Day and movement goals

Also adventure wise I'll be working from a list of prompts to design Woulf's adventure in a bit more broad strokes

As Appreciation of my life right now I will start the day with a smile on my face and a positive mind. The world has so many beautiful things waiting for me to discover.

Abundance wise I am looking into a walk with some garbage bags. During the walk I plan on cleaning up some messes along the railroad walking path between the tiny house village and Lansdown Road as my good deed for the month. Also during the walk I will be looking for some wild greens and great photo ops

Ambition wise I will be improving my AI IQ and finally getting a handle on Lightroom Classic, Stable diffusion and Photoshop. I have 12 books on my fiction reading list and another 12 Non-fiction books, I want to read them all but I'd be happy finishing even a quarter of them.

I have a list of daily prompts for Stable Diffusion. This is also Poetry month so I have decided that it's time I got back to that so there is a poetry challenge in my lists. I am challenging myself to journal everyday though rather that will happen remains to be seen. 

I have a 30 day set of chair exercises so I can start slowly moving into the 175 lbs range

If you are interested in seeing all the lists you will find them at this Pinterest. I don't use Instagram for my images they will be found at Pinterest or at Deviant Art, mainly cause I make about about a dozen images a day and that seems excessive for Instagram. Deviant Art holds my collages which are what I make from all of the prompts from a single day sometimes.

Just realized as I was going through my pins that I am looking into making a spa day or two for myself and I really need a hair cut. Both of which I will have to add to my journal or else they won't get done


Woulf's Story

This is a basic outline of the first three chapter of Woulf's Story (working title). It is very bare bones no big descriptions or anctual conversations only a suggestion of them. Any and all feedback is welcome! EL if you decide you have to do actual edits copy and paste the chapters in Word make the changes then send it through messenger in our private chat please. Everyone else please leave a comment with your suggestions below.


  1. Chapter 1: The Call to Adventure
  2. Chapter 2: The Lumibear Village
  3. Chapter 3: The Guardian
  4. Chapter 4: The Mushroom Village
  5. Chapter 5: The Nagarats' Farm

Chapter 1: The Call of the Forest

Finally, the day had come. With a heavy heart and a determined spirit, Woulf stood before his village. For a year, he had felt the pull of distant voices, the cries for help echoing in his mind. Today, he would heed those calls.

Within his village, there had been rumblings of pain. The villagers gathered to support Woulf in any way they could as he prepared for his journey. There were tears and commands to be safe and to make the village proud. With resolve, he faced the road to the Lumibear village.

The voice of the forest cried in his ears as he shouldered his backpack and headed west towards the setting sun. The weight of his decision bore down on him, but he knew he could not ignore the call. The mycorrhizal network whispered secrets of unrest, and it was up to him to uncover the truth.

As he ventured deeper into the forest, the familiar sights and sounds of his home gave way to the unknown. Shadows danced among the trees, and the air was thick with the scent of magic. Every step brought him closer to the source of the disturbance, and he could feel the forest's heartbeat quicken in anticipation.

Ahead, the path forked, and Woulf paused, unsure of which way to go. The mycorrhizal network hummed with urgency, guiding him towards the left path. Trusting in the forest's wisdom, he followed its lead, his senses alert to any signs of danger.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest floor, Woulf pressed on. He knew that the journey ahead would be fraught with peril, but he also knew that he was not alone. The forest was alive with whispers of support, and he drew strength from their words.

With each step, Woulf grew more determined to uncover the truth behind the forest's unrest. The Lumibear village awaited him, its fate intertwined with his own. As the darkness closed in around him, he knew that his journey had only just begun.


Chapter 2: The Lumibear Village

As Woulf ventured deeper into the forest, guided by the whispers of the mycorrhizal network, he emerged into a clearing bathed in an ethereal glow. The Lumibear village lay before him, a marvel of nature and Lumibear craftsmanship.

The village was alive with activity. Lumibears bustled about, their fur shimmering in the moonlight. What caught Woulf's attention, however, were the delicate, shimmering webs that adorned the village. These were not ordinary spider webs; they were the work of the Lumibears' revered spider companions.

However, Woulf noticed something amiss. The Lumibears' fur, which usually glowed brightly, seemed to be fading, and some of the webs were in poor condition, as if the spiders were sick. The once intricate patterns now looked frayed and weak, a stark contrast to the usual beauty of the village.

Seeking answers, Woulf was led to the village elder, a wise Lumibear whose fur still held a faint glow. The elder listened intently as Woulf recounted his journey and the troubles plaguing the forest. With a solemn nod, the elder spoke of a darkness that had crept into the forest, disrupting the natural balance. It seemed that the Lumibears had also felt the effects, their once vibrant village now showing signs of decay.

Determined to help, Woulf offered his assistance. The Lumibears, grateful for his offer, showed him to a secluded grove where mushrooms thrived. There, Woulf could sense the disturbance in the mycorrhizal network, a darkness lurking just beneath the surface.

Chapter 3: The Guardian

Determined to uncover the source of the darkness plaguing the forest, Woulf set out to find the Guardian. The Lumibears had spoken of an ancient being, a protector of the forest, who might hold the answers he sought.

After a long journey, Woulf arrived at the heart of the forest, where the Guardian resided. The Guardian was a towering figure, with skin the color of bark and eyes that glowed with ancient wisdom. As Woulf approached, he felt a wave of energy wash over him, filling him with a sense of awe and reverence.

The Guardian listened as Woulf recounted his journey and the troubles facing the forest. With a voice like the rustling of leaves, the Guardian spoke of a powerful force that had infiltrated the mycorrhizal network, corrupting its natural harmony. The Guardian explained that the network was the lifeblood of the forest, connecting all living beings and ensuring their survival.

The darkness, the Guardian revealed, was a malevolent entity that had taken root in the network, sapping its energy and causing imbalance throughout the forest. The Guardian sensed that Woulf carried a unique gift, a connection to the forest that could help him combat this darkness.

Determined to restore balance, Woulf offered his assistance to the Guardian. The Guardian, recognizing Woulf's bravery and determination, agreed to help him. Together, they devised a plan to confront the darkness and restore harmony to the forest.

As Woulf left the Guardian's presence, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. He knew that the journey ahead would not be easy, but he was determined to see it through. With the Guardian's guidance, Woulf set out to confront the darkness and protect the forest he called home.

One last thing and if you have read this far help me decide on the source of the conflict.

"It sounds like you're looking for an antagonist or a source of conflict that disrupts the mycorrhizal network and threatens the balance of the forest. Here are a few ideas that could serve as potential sources of disruption:

  1. The Dark Entity: An ancient, malevolent force that seeks to corrupt the mycorrhizal network for its own sinister purposes. This entity could poison the network or create barriers that block the flow of energy, weakening the forest and its inhabitants.

  2. The Environmental Imbalance: Perhaps there's an external threat to the forest, such as deforestation or pollution, that disrupts the natural balance of the ecosystem. This could indirectly affect the mycorrhizal network, causing it to weaken or malfunction.

  3. Magical Interference: A powerful mage or sorcerer could be manipulating the magic of the forest for their own gain, inadvertently causing harm to the mycorrhizal network in the process. Their actions could disrupt the flow of energy and destabilize the entire ecosystem.

  4. Natural Disaster: A catastrophic event, such as a wildfire or a severe drought, could ravage the forest and damage the mycorrhizal network. The sudden loss of vegetation or water could disrupt the symbiotic relationships between plants and fungi, leading to widespread devastation."

The mycorrhizal network is the network of fungi under the ground it is how trees communicate. In my story it is the most important entity in the magic forest they live in.


March Art 1-3

 I figured since I have the space I'd brag a bit. 3 days, 3 pcs, 6/7 lists. That 7th list is kinda kicking me in the butt as I have yet to get a usable image from any of the AI I've tried but I'll keep trying. Just a reminder that you can find all of my lists on this Pinterest board: March 2024





Songs of the Month

I've been trying to write this post for two days, but the words just wouldn't come. This was supposed to be a soundtrack, like those...

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