The manual which provides the criteria on which psychiatric diagnoses are made is called the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). It is currently upgrading from 4th to the 5th edition – expected out within the next 12 months. It is the first major revision the manual has had in 17 years. This provides the international standard and benchmark for a mental health diagnosis to be made. Of the many changes, the diagnosis of Aspergers is proposed to be altered – to an extent which I see is quite significant.
The proposed changes mean that it will soon be classified as an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), not separated as Asperger Syndrome any more
Did you hear the one about the country bumpkin who took his family to the big city for the first time? Lost in a strange place, he stopped in front of a multi-story hotel building. Father and son went inside to get some directions.
Standing in the lobby, they were looking around for someone to ask. They spied a kind-looking old man with a cane and started toward him. They drew back, though, when the wall opened up for him! They watched in amazement as the wall closed, numbers above the opening grew larger then smaller, and the doors opened again. Out came a young man in confident stride and business suit. “Son, wait right here,” said the farmer. “I’m going to get in that thing!”
Its birthday-season in the family, which I have to admit puts quite a lot of extra stress. The whole party thing is loads of fun but does impact the troops quite a bit since it is sooooo exciting, and out of routine. Whilst its fun to be centre of attention, I can also see that it is stressful on him.
There are some days when being a parent (especially of an Aspergers child) feels like its a of running around, asking this, telling them that, saying no, saying yes, do this, do that…and the end of the day comes and I just can’t wait for that moment when I switch off their bedroom light. Then I plonk myself down, tired, and start to feel guilty! Oh yes, there’s plenty to feel guilty about, isn’t there?! For not letting them stay longer, for growling, for being impatient, for not wanting to do something they ask. I could go on and on with this, but what’s the point?
This is the second in my series about making delicious home made ice cream desserts that are healthy and taste divine. Jump to here for my ice cream recipe
Not only is it delicious, its easy and saves money and the big plus is that you can make up whatever flavours or types you feel like right there and then! So you can be like the fairy godmother when it comes to dessert – and it takes minutes to make!
So, lets check out how to make a sorbet.
Ingredients
It has to be said that both my husband and I are quite partial to ice-cream. We used to frequently enjoyed it until one day somebody told me that many commercial ice creams contain anti-freeze!! YIKES!! Its always best to check these things out for yourself, and to my horror I found it was true! Propylene glycol (E477 477) is an emulsifier used commonly in foods and cosmetics. Its needed to mix in the fats. Although considered to be a relatively safe substance, overdoses have been associated with serious adverse effects (1). There are reports of toxic effects in animals and humans. Noted toxic effects have included seizures, sudden collapse, cardiac arrythmia and asystole, hepatic damage, renal damage, and hemolysis.(2) So maybe its safe in small doses??? Would that be the same for each person? Would it be different for adults and children?? Are you happy to take the gamble? There are so many other disagreeable ingredients to ice cream, let alone the high sugar content.
OK this is definitely a controversial topic. 
Big Pharma as Pharmaceutical Companies have a very powerful effect on our health environment. Without us really knowing, the medical model has been shaped around pharmaceutifcals. So much so that now its considered “normal” to take meds if you have symptoms, and its widely considered “quackery” to use nutrition and natural therapies.
My personal ‘truth’ is that there is room for both – utilising our body’s natural tendencies and needs to stay healthy, with quality food and lifestyle choices, but if there’s an acute need that pharmaceuticals be considered at that point.
Happy Mother’s Day to all you amazing ladies out there. I hope you got some love and appreciation from your special ones today.
I was sent this quote and feel its well worth sharing with you…
“A mother is a small portion of God’s love in action.
She looks with her heart and feels with her eyes.
A mother is the bank where her children deposit all their worries and hurt.
A mother is the cement that keeps her fanily together and her love lasts a lifestime.
There are so many little things I look to break the mould of my past habits. So often all that happens is we keep doing what we’ve always done – most of the time we do things unconsciously without even questioning why! Does this make it wrong? Does it mean its right??!!What I like to do is just start by asking the question – is there a different way to do this – is it a better way? Then the next thing to ask is “How to change?”This all sounds a bit deep when all I’m talking about today is toothpaste, but the fact is that it doesn’t matter what the “it” is – what matters is that we ask the questions.
So for a long time there has been many ruminations on the benefits of fluoride. As with anything relatively new I do severely question whether there is and what they are – especially since fluoride is known for its toxic properties. For an in depth discussion listen to this podcast that goes way deeper into the topic than I can go.