Author: Lyric Holmans

Lyric, an autistic self-advocate from Texas, runs the the internationally recognized neurodiversity lifestyle blog Neurodivergent Rebel. Neurodivergent Rebel opened their blog in 2016 as a way to introduce people unfamiliar with autism to neurodiversity. Lyric's blog, which is sometimes released in written format and also via YouTube video, explores the ideology of neurodiversity and the creative expressions of Autistic people. Holmans’ blog pushes for acceptance of neurological differences and respect for the autonomy of neurodivergent people. Holmans is also known as the pioneer of the #askingautistics hashtag, which is often accompanied by a short question about everyday Autistic experiences. This simple hashtag connects neurodivergent people who would not otherwise have a reason to engage with each other to foster understanding of the Autistic experience.
Masking / Passing, Videos1 Comment

Autism & Hyperlexia – My Autistic Hyperlexic Experience

Lyric Holmans

According to Web MD, which is where I’m going to get the definition today, people with hyperlexia II, are often air quotes, “obsessed with numbers and letters, preferring books, and magnetic letters over other types of toys. They’re also frequently remember important numbers such as license plates and birthdates. These children usually have more typical autism signs, such as avoiding eye contact and affection, or being sensitive to sensory stimuli.” Continue reading Autism & Hyperlexia – My Autistic Hyperlexic Experience

Autism, Children & Families, Echolalia, Masking / Passing, Neurodiversity, Neurology, stimming, Tourette Syndrome, VideosLeave a comment

Autism & Vocalizations – My Autistic Experience with Echolalia, Palilalia, and Verbal Stimming

Lyric Holmans

Though each and every single Autistic Person is different, many Autistic People make different noises, repeat sounds, or make other vocalizations.

There are three main types of Autistic vocalizations I’m going to be talking about in this week’s video: the first one is echolalia, the next one is Palilalia, and verbal stimming. Continue reading Autism & Vocalizations – My Autistic Experience with Echolalia, Palilalia, and Verbal Stimming

Autism, life hacks, meltdowns, Neurodiversity, Neurology, Relationships, VideosLeave a comment

Autism & Learning to Recognize Autistic Meltdowns Before It’s Too Late

Lyric Holmans

Sometimes when I am unable to get away from other people, or the situation that I am in, or event that has triggered my meltdown, then I will go from flee to fight, and have a meltdown, where I may become air quotes, “combative”, “aggressive”, “defensive” -because I feel as if I am in danger, and cannot flee and get away from the danger, so then it switches to “defend myself and fight”. Continue reading Autism & Learning to Recognize Autistic Meltdowns Before It’s Too Late

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Late NeuroDivergent Diagnosis – Diagnosed Autistic at 29 – Reading my Autism Diagnostic Report

Lyric Holmans

It was August 23rd, 2016, when I went in for the first part of my autism assessment, an in-person interview with myself and the person who would be reviewing my childhood history and medical records.

By the end of August, all of the interviews would be concluded, and by early September 2016, at the age of 29, I would be diagnosed Autistic.

At that point in my life, being almost 30 and having such a bombshell of a piece of information dropped upon me, I skimmed a 13 page (actually 14 page) diagnostic report, but was very overwhelmed, and couldn’t process the report in front of me. In fact, I threw the report into a paper shredder, and destroyed the report.

However, recently, more than five years later, I’m feeling more ready to face the information that was in front of me all of those years ago. Continue reading Late NeuroDivergent Diagnosis – Diagnosed Autistic at 29 – Reading my Autism Diagnostic Report

ADHD, Autism, Children & Families, Family, Friendship, Masking / Passing, Neurodiversity, Relationships, stimming, VideosLeave a comment

Things I Got in Trouble for Growing up as an Undiagnosed Autistic ADHDer

Lyric Holmans

I didn’t find out I was Autistic until I was 29, and my ADHD wasn’t diagnosed until several years later, however, autism and ADHD are both lifelong neurodevelopmental differences.
This means I was Autistic and ADHD my entire life, growing up, as a child, and I will be Autistic ADHD, my brain will be the same, the day I die.
There were obvious manifestations of my brain difference as a child growing up, many of which were labeled as “behavioral problems” and dismissed, or I was constantly scolded for acting in a very Autistic ADHD way.
Continue reading Things I Got in Trouble for Growing up as an Undiagnosed Autistic ADHDer

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LGBTQIA+ & Autism Medicalization Timeline – A NeuroQueer Conversion Therapy History Lesson

Lyric Holmans

Up until 1973, psychologists and psychiatrists will still consider homosexuality to be a form of illness. It will be 1987, the year I’m born, before homosexuality will be completely removed from the DSM. Continue reading LGBTQIA+ & Autism Medicalization Timeline – A NeuroQueer Conversion Therapy History Lesson

Autism, LGBTQIA+, Masking / Passing, mental health, Neurodiversity, Videos1 Comment

Autism & Gender 101 – My Trans Nonbinary Autistic Experience with Autigender

Lyric Holmans

Gender is a social construct and a social identity. Someone’s gender is determined by how they feel. An individual can feel more like a man, more like a woman, they can also feel like both, neither, or something in between.

According to one study that included 641,860 people: “people who do not identify with the sex they were assigned at birth are three to six times more likely to be autistic as cis-gender people.” Continue reading Autism & Gender 101 – My Trans Nonbinary Autistic Experience with Autigender