This just in: I saw a beautiful Youtube video of a man with ADHD who got his compassionate wife to help him by sorting out a lone grey bowl that didn't fit into his pile of blue and grey bowls and dishes in the cupboard, to which she responded with compassion and kindness rather than neglect and brutality like some fans feel Horrid Henry's parents treat their equally horrid son. Here, we shall break down the meanings behind each of the things featured in this beautiful video:
The man in the video represents the challenges and trials autistic people struggle with everyday. To some autistic people, the world is a challenging place, full of noise, bright lights and triggers that they can't escape from. However, there are some strategies that they can do to cope with this unfamiliar world, such as asking for help, doing some meditation or playing with a stress toy like a squeezy skull, that can help them in their day to day lives. In fact, some autistic people even carry around some comfort objects that they from an early age refuse to give up because of how sharp and scary the world seems to them. Examples include ear defenders, a soft pillow or a favourite toy they've had when they were a baby.
The man's wife represents the kindness and care we all need in the world if someone is diagnosed with autism or ADHD and is struggling to find the answers to all their questions or ask for help on a different subject, like maths homework or trying to research something for an essay. The wife's caring, gentle ways are all the ways we can help autistic people live their lives like they recommended they want to their way, whether it's by a strict schedule or involving therapy-approved techniques for staying calm and concentrated in this upsetting and irritating world we call 'Earth'.
The bowls are a major talking point of representation here. The grey bowls which the man lines up with the blue bowls represent structure, which means if the colour grey pops into his mind, he thinks about the grey bowls and sets off to do not a whole overloading list of tasks for today, but two simple tasks he can do every day to keep calm and concentrated, such as cook a new recipe, write a story or song or do some simple, stress free housework. The blue bowls on the other hand represent sweetness, which means that if the man is feeling up to it if he sees the colour blue, he could do something that's out of his rules of structure for today. Something like baking, watching a Youtube video, reading or relaxing in the bath, doesn't matter what, moments of leisure represent moments of sweetness.
Now, the grey bowl he refuses to put on either piles mean he chose his individuality for a reason. He picked something that made him unique and stand out from other people in this flock of sheep - he was a black sheep, but now he is a shining star. By picking this bowl, that man has a bright future ahead of him - being with his wife until they die, going to sensory friendly sessions together and somehow, someday, having kids. That man will have a future unlike any of the friends he made in school or at work - being one of a kind means having the brightest future out of any of the litter, like me for instance, I discovered a knack for therapy sessions after using some of my favourite cartoons, films and TV series to show emotions and daily struggles.
So next time you want to live a balanced life, do structure before sweetness. This means picking the grey before the blue. If you want your reward for the daytime, then you must learn that structure comes first, just like my Bluey & Stitch Rule: structure first, sweetness second. So, on my trip out today, I decided on one priority: magazines first, food second. That's what happened when my support worker and I got to the little seaside town.
Follow this example, and you will have a future just like this man - bright, simple, clear.
