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.
ADHD, Autism, Neurodiversity, SPD, VideosLeave a comment

I’m Autistic – This is What I WISH People Understood About Sensory Processing & Sensory Overload

Lyric Holmans

Well, for me, that is when some kind of sensory input light, sound, touch, smell, a sensation on my skin, et cetera, and so forth, becomes so overwhelming to me that I either shut down, meltdown, or run away from it; because I am basically sent into almost a panic or, just this need to stop, or get away from and escape something that is currently agitating me, within the environment around me.

Some of my common triggers for sensory overload would be bright, fluorescent, lighting, certain smells, certain sounds, just really get to me. Continue reading I’m Autistic – This is What I WISH People Understood About Sensory Processing & Sensory Overload

ADHD, Autism, Children & Families, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, hyperlexia, Masking / Passing, Neurodiversity, Neurology, Relationships, Relationships / Bullies / Friendships, School, Videos2 Comments

Autism & NeuroDivergent Trauma in Public Education – My Autistic Experience

Lyric Holmans

 If you would like to know a little bit more about my personal experience with school, and why education, the way it was for me, was a very traumatic experience – please do stay tuned. Continue reading Autism & NeuroDivergent Trauma in Public Education – My Autistic Experience

ADHD, Autism, Coworkers, Family, Friendship, Gender & Sexuality, how to, Intentions, Masking / Passing, mental health, Neurodiversity, Neurology, Psychology, Relationships, Relationships / Bullies / Friendships, Romance, Videos1 Comment

Autistic and NeuroDivergent Masking – Help! I Don’t Know How to Unmask

Lyric Holmans

NeuroDivergent masking is when a NeuroDivergent Person, a person who is brain may be Autistic, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, OCD, et cetera. Is masking or hiding that NeuroDivergence, in order to blend in and appear more NeuroTypical. Continue reading Autistic and NeuroDivergent Masking – Help! I Don’t Know How to Unmask

Autism, diagnosis, Masking / Passing, Neurodiversity, Psychology, Relationships, Videos2 Comments

Late Autistic Discovery – What Happened During My Autism Assessment?

Lyric Holmans

Lyric here, and today, I want to talk about what happens during an autism assessment, and I’m just going to be sharing what happened during my autism assessment, because obviously I’ve only been through one of those. If you would like to know what that was like, please do stay tuned.
Continue reading Late Autistic Discovery – What Happened During My Autism Assessment?

aba, Autism, Children & Families, diagnosis, Masking / Passing, mental health, Neurodiversity, Psychology, Relationships, Videos3 Comments

Why are Autism Diagnostic Numbers Increasing?

Lyric Holmans

Hey humans, Lyric here, and this week I’m going to be talking about why autism numbers have been going up over the past several years, and why there IS NO Autism Epidemic and this, actually, is a good thing.
Continue reading Why are Autism Diagnostic Numbers Increasing?

aba, ADHD, Autism, Autistic Interests, Children & Families, Collaborations, Masking / Passing, Neurodiversity, Neurology, Psychology, Relationships, VideosLeave a comment

Why Autistic and NeuroDivergent People May Not See Themselves in the Autism Diagnostic Criteria

Lyric Holmans

This day, to day. This week, I am going to be talking about why some people do not see themselves in the diagnostic criteria for autism and other different forms of NeuroDiversity and things that are in that diagnostic manual.

NeuroDivergent People aren’t in control of our own narrative & the diagnostic manuals are one way the NeuroTypicals control the narratives around NeuroDivergent People. Continue reading Why Autistic and NeuroDivergent People May Not See Themselves in the Autism Diagnostic Criteria

ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, Coworkers, Family, Friendship, Masking / Passing, mental health, Neurodiversity, Neurology, Psychology, Relationships, Romance, social anxiety, SPD, Videos2 Comments

How NeuroDivergent Masking and Burnout Can Become a Perpetual Cycle

Lyric Holmans

DHD, OCD, whatver… is pressured to hide the parts of them that would out them as having a different brain –  So some NeuroDivergent people learn to hide those struggles and those differences, in order to appear more NeuroTypical. Continue reading How NeuroDivergent Masking and Burnout Can Become a Perpetual Cycle

aba, dogs, life hacks, Neurodiversity, Psychology, Relationships, Videos3 Comments

Why I Left Behaviorism Behind & Quit Dog Training

Lyric Holmans

All right. I did a post on Facebook recently, talking about how I used to be a dog trainer and how I used to really, really love behaviorism, believe it or not.

I am a reformed behaviorist. I no longer use behaviorism on animals, and now my focus is entirely on teaching the animals around me to communicate with me, and that I am a safe person and how to get their needs met.

So has been quite a change, and you wanted to hear more about that. So those of you that asked for this video, or if you’re curious now… please stay tuned. Continue reading Why I Left Behaviorism Behind & Quit Dog Training