An autistic birthday girl has drawn up a list of approved surprises for her family to prevent any actual surprises, it has been rumoured.

Krista Shure, who is about to turn 12, says she has enough to deal with without the prospect of her family trying to spring a surprise on her under the misguided notion that people who say they don’t like surprises actually secretly do.  

Shure said: “What I really want for my birthday is a day without so much uncertainty. I tried to explain that to my parents, but they thought ‘A Day Without So Much Uncertainty’ was the name of ‘one of those Japanese cartoons you like’. They can’t wrap their heads around the fact that I don’t have the kind of nervous system that allows me to open myself up to the possibility of an unexpected thrill.”

Shure’s father Ben said: “I wish Krista would just let us surprise her. I’d love to pick her up from school one day with all our bags packed and tell her we’re on our way to Disneyland. Isn’t that every child’s dream?”

Shure replied: “Dad, if I doze off during a car journey and wake up on the Dover to Calais ferry my first thought will be that you are praying for my downfall, so don’t do it. A gift card will more than suffice.”

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