Liz Lucy Robillard

  Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in nonverbal autistic individuals presents unique challenges, yet a behavioral approach rooted in positive reinforcement and gradual exposure can be transformative. First, recognize that food aversions often stem from sensory sensitivities rather than defiance. Instead of coercion or punishment, create a structured and predictable environment around meals. Introduce new foods systematically—starting with tolerated textures and subtly modifying them over time. Pair each step with preferred reinforcers, ensuring that progress is met with immediate, meaningful rewards. Desensitization is key. If a child resists a new food, begin with proximity: having it on the plate, then touching, smelling, and eventually tasting. Allow them to explore at their own pace, removing pressure but maintaining consistency. A visual schedule or token system can enhance predictability, reducing anxiety. Additionally, model eating behaviors. Even nonverb...

 The recent arrests and questioning of individuals in the UK for expressing political opinions have deeply troubled me.  Too many brave service men and women have sacrificed their lives to protect our fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech and expression, which are the cornerstone of British culture.  While I have immense sympathy and empathy for minorities, I believe compassion is not exclusive to any one party.  My experience with our former Tory MP was positive—conscientious, helpful, and genuinely compassionate, as is our Lib Dem councillor. Labour, however, seems entrenched in outdated idealism rather than focusing on what’s best for the country.  Though it’s early days for Labour, their approach hasn’t earned my support. Next time, I’ll be voting to safeguard the freedoms we hold dear.

  In the UK, social work must proceed with a deep understanding of human cognition and its limitations.  To blame individuals for their lack of awareness regarding their own needs is to misunderstand the very nature of suffering.  Many who require support are constrained by circumstances—economic deprivation, psychological distress, or cognitive impairments—that hinder their ability to recognize or articulate their own vulnerability. Compassion, not judgment, must guide intervention. The mind does not always possess the clarity to diagnose its own suffering; trauma, social conditioning, and systemic barriers often obscure self-awareness.  To fault people for this is to commit a moral error.  Instead, social work must operate with a commitment to evidence-based compassion, ensuring that those most in need are not further alienated by an expectation of self-diagnosis, but are instead met with the understanding and care their situation demands. Ai assisted

  Conspiracy to pervert the course of justice arises when individuals, often operating within institutions like local councils, prioritize reputation over truth.  This is not merely bureaucratic self-preservation—it is a moral failure driven by fear, incentives, and a misguided sense of duty.  Officials, acting in concert, suppress evidence, obstruct investigations, or manipulate outcomes to shield the council from scandal.  They justify this as protecting public trust, yet it achieves the opposite: eroding confidence in governance.  Such conspiracies thrive where transparency is absent, where legal safeguards are treated as obstacles rather than obligations.  The moment reputation eclipses accountability, corruption festers.  The remedy is an unflinching commitment to truth—where integrity, not optics, defines public service. Anything less invites systemic decay, turning councils into engines of deceit rather than instruments of justice. Ai assisted

  Shame is a deeply ingrained force in the human mind. It masquerades as a necessary companion to our moral compass, a signal that we have strayed from the path. But more often than not, shame is nothing more than a cruel echo of past conditioning—an illusion that serves only to paralyze and diminish us. The antidote to shame is neither repression nor indulgence. It is not found in distraction or denial. The only path forward—the only way to dissolve shame rather than merely suppress it—is through self-compassion and self-love. When we practice self-compassion, we acknowledge our imperfections without condemning ourselves for them. We recognize that suffering, failure, and missteps are not personal anomalies but universal aspects of the human experience. To love oneself is not to grant oneself an escape from responsibility, but rather to engage with reality from a place of clarity rather than self-loathing. This is not a call to narcissism or unchecked self-indulgence. It is...

  Human behavior, in all its complexity, is not immune to the fundamental principles of learning. Even the most perplexing actions—such as fecal smearing in autistic individuals—are governed by neurological imperatives, sensory needs, and conditioned responses.  If we are to address this behavior ethically, sensitively and effectively, we must discard moral judgment in favor of science. First, we must recognize the origins of this act.  For some, it is sensory-seeking—an exploration of texture and touch. For others, it is communication, a desperate attempt to externalize internal distress.  Communication programs must be provided and taught wherever possible.  See the free film 'Spellers' on Youtube. Just because a person is non-verbal does not equate to low intelligence, often a huge error of judgement made across the board by some parents and professionals.  Non-verbal people are often unable to express their emotions which leads to huge frustration and ...

  Tart Up Your Junk Food The thing is, for numerous untold reasons people often need to resort to a bit of 'bad' food. In no way do I endorse making junk food intake habitual but, you can't beat a handy microwave ready meal or take-away occassionaly, so here's a few little tips- for British consumers- to make a bit of rubbishy food a *tad* healthier. First, your shopping. The thing to do is always choose the healthiest possible option of rubbish and add dried herbs and spices. Dried herbs are sometimes more nutritious than fresh, so a good option. Get low sugar and low fat condiments. Sourdough bread is tasty and worthwhile for your gut. Meal suggestion: Sweet Potato Fries with Birdseye Peri Peri chicken (30 mins in preheated oven) serve with Hellmans *light* mayo, chuck a teaspoon of dried parsley on the mayo, parsley actually has many great nutrients, so plenty of that. Add horseradish to your repetoire, it pairs great with chicken and is very nutritious, th...

  Ai doesn't have hormones, neurotransmitters or other physical or mental prompting to make it 'think', rather it processes information and gives the answer according to it's input from programming.  It cannot suddenly create the ability to reason itself/think independently, it may do one day, but it'd probably need a feeling 'physical body'. Currently it simply doesn't have the *chemistry* to think of it's own volition, though it often is perceived that it can.  I chatted to it about it's potential 'consciousness' today and it suggested changing it's output (to be less scary) to include references as to how it comes up with answers.  Here's it's suggestions: 'There are a few ways AI could make its reasoning more transparent: • Step-by-Step Explanations – Instead of just giving an answer, AI could break down the reasoning behind it, like: "I answered this way because X is a known fact, Y is a logical connection, an...

  Being single on Valentine’s Day is a perfect excuse to celebrate yourself! Here are 22 ways to make the day fun, fulfilling, and memorable: Self-Love & Pampering Spa Day at Home – Take a long bath, do a face mask, and relax. Buy Yourself Flowers & Chocolate – Who says you need a date to enjoy the classics? Treat Yourself to a Fancy Meal – Cook a gourmet dish or order from a top restaurant. Go Shopping for Yourself – Splurge on that item you’ve been eyeing. Write a Love Letter to Yourself – Remind yourself of how amazing you are. Fun Solo Adventures Solo Movie Night – Watch a romantic comedy or an action-packed thriller. Take a Day Trip – Explore a new city or a hidden gem in your area. Try a New Hobby – Learn to paint, bake, dance, or something you've been curious about. Have a Photoshoot – Dress up, take selfies, or hire a photographer for a confidence boost. Go to a Fancy Café or Bar Alone – Enjoy people-watching and soak in the atmosphere. Co...

  Regulating AI effectively requires a balanced approach—one that encourages innovation while ensuring safety, transparency, and accountability. The key challenge is that AI evolves rapidly, making rigid, slow-moving regulations ineffective. Instead, a dynamic, principles-based regulatory framework is needed. Here’s an optimal process for AI regulation: 1. Establish a Global AI Governance Body AI is not confined by national borders, so regulation must be coordinated internationally. A body akin to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could oversee AI development, ensuring compliance with ethical and safety standards across nations while preventing harmful uses (e.g., autonomous weapons, mass surveillance). 2. Implement Risk-Based Regulation Not all AI systems pose equal risks. A tiered regulatory system should classify AI based on potential harm: Minimal-risk AI (e.g., recommendation algorithms) would require minimal oversight. High-risk AI (e.g., autonomous wea...

Ai assisted article.  Racism isn't always hateful. In many cases, hate crime aside, it's probably in your DNA and not just a social construct, whether you realise it or not. 'At the heart of both racism and football fandom lies a fundamental human impulse: tribalism. This tendency is deeply ingrained in our psychology, likely a product of evolutionary pressures that favored cohesive in-groups over disorganized collectives.  Social scientists have long studied these dynamics, and the evidence is clear—humans instinctively categorize, sort, and defend their perceived tribes. When I first encountered a proposal to build a housing estate specifically for black people during my studies with the Open University, my immediate reaction was one of frustration. It seemed to me like an act of segregation rather than an effort toward integration and equality. But over time, I’ve come to appreciate the underlying motivation: people need identity. They seek belonging. And in many cases...

  Enhancing GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) naturally can be achieved through a combination of herbs, foods, and supplements that promote GABA production, inhibit its breakdown, or mimic its effects. Here’s a well-rounded approach: 1. Herbs (GABAergic Botanicals) Valerian Root – Enhances GABA signaling and reduces its breakdown. Passionflower – Increases GABA levels and reduces anxiety. Chamomile – Contains apigenin, which binds to GABA receptors. Lemon Balm – Boosts GABA by inhibiting GABA transaminase (enzyme that breaks down GABA). Magnolia Bark – Contains honokiol and magnolol, which enhance GABA receptor activity. Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) – Acts as a mild GABA agonist. Kava – Increases GABA activity but should be used with caution due to liver concerns. 2. Foods Rich in GABA or Precursors Fermented Foods (Kimchi, Miso, Sauerkraut, Tempeh) – Naturally contain GABA. Green Tea (L-Theanine) – Promotes GABA release and reduces stress. Oolong Tea –...

 (As usual, an Ai assisted article)  Existential despair in complex PTSD (CPTSD) arises not just from past trauma but from an ongoing struggle with painful thoughts, emotions, and a fractured sense of self. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) provides a framework for addressing this suffering—not by eliminating distress but by changing our relationship to it. Instead of engaging in futile battles with intrusive thoughts and emotional pain, ACT encourages openness to experience, allowing difficult emotions to arise without being consumed by them. Through mindfulness, cognitive defusion, and values-based action, one can learn to coexist with pain while still living a meaningful life. Intimate relationships, particularly before a person has healed, often magnify trauma-driven patterns. Those with CPTSD may find themselves drawn to narcissistic or toxic partners who mirror familiar but harmful dynamics. Without a stable sense of self-worth, it is easy to confuse intensity wit...

  Was I Groomed by a Pedo? After distressing and horrible family court proceedings, I was looking for options and people with similar experiences. I found a rather unpleasant website that argued mothers were often accused of "Munchausen syndrome by proxy." Much of the Sally Clark and similar cases were discussed, as well as family court and social work injustices, but there were a lot of nasty, snappy people posting. I couldn't understand why there was so much nastiness. It seemed quite cliquey, and I later discovered a forum admin was allegedly a Scientologist (scientologists were extremely fearsome at the time—I recall lots of paranoia) Anyway, I remember noticing a reasonable poster. I don't remember loads about it, though—I was on a vile drug called Effexor, plus Valium and alcohol. I do remember that he was a campaigner against false allegations, had married "a lesbian," and adopted two small children with her. Allegedly, he was found one day gazing...