As you can tell, I'm a fan of Downton Abbey. I'd never seen an episode, until the summer of 2012, when my PBS station aired reruns of seasons one and two over a two week period. Needless to say, I was hooked! I first shipped Anna and Bates but somewhere along the way Edith and Anthony completely captured my heart and became my OTP.

I finally found the nerve to publish a story about our lovely couple for ANDITH FEST 2016 and I so appreciate the response I've received from the Andith community. These folks are truly wonderful and so supportive!

Many thanks to all the wonderful writers who keep this ship afloat! Long live Andith!!!

If someone has autism, this can mean:

Their brain works differently than others'. They don't understand facial expressions and emotions, and have a hard time showing their own emotions. Other people’s emotions confuse and upset them.

They have some trouble understanding language and instruction. Sometimes we have to talk to them like they are younger than they are. They often seem not to be listening to us when we talk to them.

Everything stresses them out (trying to look at people’s eyes, changes in routine and schedule, doing unfamiliar activities) and so they try to stop the stress by trying to be in control of EVERYTHING and EVERYONE around them. Sometimes they might seem rude or bad, but they are really just struggling to understand things around them.

Even their own family can have trouble helping them sometimes, but you can help by:

--talking to them using a calm voice.

--not making fun of them or teasing them.

--realizing that people do their best to help him be calm and do well.

--making sure you have their attention before you tell them something.

Some of the symptoms or effects of autism can be:

--normal teaching methods don't work.

--inappropriate laughing and giggling.

--crying or tantrum.

--acts as if he or she is deaf.

--no fear of real dangers.

--is upset by changes in routine or other things.

--spins objects or own body.

--extreme distress for no known reason.

--sustained odd play.

--has trouble playing with peers.

--not cuddly and might resist touch.

--little or no eye contact.

--seems standoffish.

--inappropriate attachment to objects.

--may have trouble understanding language.

--sometimes seems overactive and is sometimes overly quiet.

Copy this into your profile if you know someone with autism or if you just want to spread the awareness.