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Month: December 2012
I Just Like It: Naturally Self-Watering Planter
Forgot to water the plants again? This self-watering planter is made from naturally porous unglazed earthenware. The water goes in the central chamber, and seeps gently out through the walls (the clever thing is the plants’ own capillary action determines the rate of water seepage, so there’s less risk of over-watering). Available from Joey Roth. Read more about the history of this kind of irrigation pot (called an ‘Olla’) here, it’s been used for hundreds of years and is now making a comeback.
Successful Career Women with Asperger’s Syndrome
A nice little article from the Mail Online about high-achieving women with Asperger’s, and how they cope with the condition. A few choice quotes below, just to give some idea of what Asperger’s is like –
Sarah has also got herself into trouble at work several times by repeating other people’s jokes and comments without understanding that they were inappropriate.
‘For example, I’ve gone up to people in the office and said things like: “You must be ‘Octopus Mike’ or ‘Orange John” — the secret nicknames people have given them.’
‘I’m very sensitive to light and noise, so with 200 people all working in one room, it can feel like fireworks going off in front of my eyes — and as if people are banging saucepans in my ears. I often have to escape for half an hour, count to ten, and get my thoughts in order before I can go back.’
‘It takes me at least two hours in the morning to prepare for work. I lay all my clothes out the night before and have a set routine, but if my husband moves something and it isn’t where I expect it to be, that can add an hour to my day.’
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Darran Knight: Jewellery Designer with Asperger’s Syndrome
45-year old Darran Knight had Aspergers since childhood and was a bus driver for eight years, before deciding to combine his interests in sharks and jewellery design into a business; designing shark-themed jewellery, of course. You can admire his handiwork at Shark Jewellery by DZN. (via The Sutton Guardian)
Montre Sticky Note Watches
Absent-mindedness or ‘brain fog’ goes with many autistic disorders, and everyone has their favourite way of dealing with it. If you’re the sort who likes simple, hands-on solutions, this product may be for you. It’s basically a sticky note that wraps around your wrist. One way to use it – draw a clock-face and mark your appointments around the face, then write the details on the strap. Available from PA Design in France. Via Better Living Through Design.
Movie Interlude: The Cult of Sincerity (Full Movie)
The Cult of Sincerity is an independent film about hipster culture and postmodernist irony set in Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York. It was released on April 8, 2008. The film has not received conventional distribution and is notable only as being the first feature film intentionally released in its entirety on YouTube. The film is also available as a US$3 digital download for an iPod or other mobile video device, most of which will be donated to Fount of Mercy, a charity for grassroots organizations in sub-Saharan Africa to provide help to widows and orphans.
Plot
When his mother informs Joseph that she’s divorcing his father, Joseph enters into a protracted existential crisis. Unhappy with the way society is moving, Joseph decides to attempt to turn back the flow of cynicism with a series of well-intentioned gestures and a slogan that he can put on a t-shirt. As Joseph struggles to find that slogan he quickly realizes that it is not very easy changing the world.
[Quoted from Wikipedia]
Understanding Asperger Syndrome: A College Professor’s Guide
There are many autistic students in higher education, especially since some autistics (particularly those with Aspergers or NLD/NVLD) have above-average verbal or math skills, or a strong interest in a particular topic. It would be good for college professors to have some idea of how to spot students on the autistic spectrum, and how to meet their specific needs. The following videos by the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) aim to equip teachers in higher education with some basic knowledge to help them in facilitating learning for autistic students.
November 1 each year is Autistics Speaking Day, when people on the spectrum are encouraged to tell their own stories on social networking sites and blogs. The aim is to raise awareness and acceptance of autism; and show that behind the stereotypes are a diverse range of individuals with very different stories, some common experiences, and much to contribute if given a chance (with a little patience and understanding). I only found out about the campaign today, but you don’t have to wait till next November 1 to participate. If you’re autistic, you can tell your story anytime on the campaign blog. Visit it today to read what others are sharing!
The plan is that on November 1st social networking sites like Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, as well as YouTube and blogging sites will see a huge increase in the posts of autistic people. We will post links to as many of these as we can to share the works of the autistic people. Our hope is that this will help promote autism awareness and autism acceptance. If you are a blogger or own a website, you can write a post on or around November 1st for Autistics Speaking Day and we will share the posts through this blog, Twitter, and Facebook. Everyone is free to participate in ASDay however they want. Some will just read through the posts, some will help to distribute the posts, and some will actively write them. [from the FAQ]
DESIGN FOR ASD 