You know when your struggles seem so unique and ridiculous and they make you see yourself as an alien? Well, I found the place where all the aliens hang out and it's pretty okay. I belong to a lot of Facebook groups, some for music, which I'd been invited to, and many for animal rights … Continue reading Community: Online Autistic Pals
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Autism Book Shelf: Autism in Heels, and Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate
I've been building my spectrummy book collection, looking for some in-depth self-portraits from actually autistic people. The first two are both by autistic moms who were diagnosed as adults. I was worried about overlap at first, but as I devoured both of these books within a week, their experiences and styles support the adage: If … Continue reading Autism Book Shelf: Autism in Heels, and Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate
I Went to the Dentist & Now I Need a Nap
Let me begin by acknowledging the fact that I let myself become a cautionary tale. You can keep your judgment to yourself--I've got this one. The last time I went to the dentist, I was having a cavity filled and the Novocaine had worn off or wasn't enough, so I felt everything and they wouldn't … Continue reading I Went to the Dentist & Now I Need a Nap
On Friendship
A lot of what I read about autism and relationships focuses on friendship: the lack of friends, the difficulty in making or keeping friends. I'd thought about it previously, but now it feels like something I should dig into... I have friends. And I think I'm a good friend--I try to be. I am a … Continue reading On Friendship
Ugh, Hugs
In the first episode of Everything's Gonna Be Okay, Matilda is asked for a hug by her half-brother and explains that she doesn't like hugs. They'd made her dad happy so she learned to do them, but since he died she hoped she wouldn't have to do them anymore. (Her substitution idea was to dance … Continue reading Ugh, Hugs
Re-examining My Suicide Through an Autism Lens
Oh, where to begin with the content/trigger warnings? Seriously, just an open, graphic recounting and examination of some pretty rough stuff ahead. The title should imply it all: talk of suicide, psychological issues, hospitalization... You can't read this sort of thing without having some feelings about it, so feel free to walk away now. Still … Continue reading Re-examining My Suicide Through an Autism Lens
Second-Guessing My Memories
I just blew my own mind, so I'm sharing this with you in real time as I work through it. Bear with me. Both personally and professionally, I've written about plenty of social issues, but there are a few that I've consistently backed away from because I've never felt secure in my voice or position. … Continue reading Second-Guessing My Memories
While I Wait: The Consideration of Labels
I'm still writing from a place of self-assessment. Three months ago, I called and got myself on the waitlist at the AARTS Center at Rush, and then one week ago I called to check in, leaving a message that has not been returned. That's frustrating. I was told it would be 6-9 months before I … Continue reading While I Wait: The Consideration of Labels
Lost Girls Represent
In my research on neurodivergence, I've focused quite a bit on its presentation in girls/cis-women/XX/AFAB, because that's what I was and am, even I haven't experienced textbook gender roles. The term "The Lost Girls" keeps popping up, referring to girls born before experts started studying or identifying them as being on the spectrum. Even though … Continue reading Lost Girls Represent
The Writing Was on the Wall; We Just Couldn’t Read It
My mom sent me some images, pages out of my baby book. I don't know if they still do baby books or if it's ever been a universal thing, but it's a book full of prompts for parents to record their child's development. For example, there's a grid for first through fourth years, likes and … Continue reading The Writing Was on the Wall; We Just Couldn’t Read It
