Category: Children & Families

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Lyric Rivera - NeuroDivergent Rebel Asks: Has anyone ever tried to punish the NeuroDivergence out of you?

Have You Ever Been Punished (or Scolded) for Your NeuroDivergence?

Lyric Holmans

Recently, I asked my NeuroDivergent readers if anyone has “ever tried to “punish” the NeuroDivergence out of” them (while being reasonably sure I knew the answer to my question).

Overwhelming comments came pouring in on various platforms, with stories from my readers telling how they had been harmed by people around them (who insisted on unfair and unrealistic expectations of NeuroTypicality).

I knew there would be Autistic People and ADHDers who had been punished for our NeuroTypes because many of my readers are my age (or older), and when we were growing up, punishment was the standard of care for kids who struggled to fall in line.

What surprised me was how many people with other NeuroTypes were also punished for things beyond their control. Continue reading Have You Ever Been Punished (or Scolded) for Your NeuroDivergence?

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When I didn't know I was NeuroDivergent, I used to feel like a failed NeuroTypical Person (because the expectations for me to be a "good" NeuroTypical seemed impossibly out of reach).

I Used to Hate Myself When I Thought I was NeuroTypical

Lyric Holmans

When I didn’t know I was NeuroDivergent, I used to feel like a failed NeuroTypical Person (because the expectations for me to be a “good” NeuroTypical seemed impossibly out of reach).

“Why can’t I just _______ ?” – Do something NeuroTypicals find simple.

“Why do they hate me? Why do they think I’m weird?”

“If I could only ______.” – Insert some activity that NeuroTypicals don’t struggle with.

“What’s WRONG with me? Why am I such a failure?” Continue reading I Used to Hate Myself When I Thought I was NeuroTypical

Relationships / Bullies / Friendships, Substack2 Comments
Autistic People may struggle to express our love (and many other emotions) in ways non-autistics expect us to. Autistic Love is Different - That Doesn't Make it Wrong! #ActuallyAutistic #AskingAutistics - what is YOUR experience of love like? How do YOU express your love and affection for those you care about?

#ActuallyAutistic #AskingAutistics – what is YOUR experience of love like? How do YOU express your love and affection for those you care about?

Lyric Holmans

Autistic People may struggle to express our love (and many other emotions) in ways non-autistics expect us to. Autistic Love is Different – That Doesn’t Make it Wrong! Continue reading #ActuallyAutistic #AskingAutistics – what is YOUR experience of love like? How do YOU express your love and affection for those you care about?

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For those of us who feel safe enough to live "outside of the closet," coming out is something we will choose to do (or NOT to do) repeatedly with every new person we meet.

Coming out: It’s not something we do “just once.” It’s something we will do over and over again our entire lives.

Lyric Holmans

Unfortunately, sometimes the people you think (hope) will be safe aren’t always safe. It can be tricky to know if someone will accept you or judge you harshly, thinking less of you when you tell them you’re Queer (regardless of what flavor Queer you are). 

For those of us who feel safe enough to live “outside of the closet,” coming out is something we will choose to do (or NOT to do) repeatedly our entire lives.  Continue reading Coming out: It’s not something we do “just once.” It’s something we will do over and over again our entire lives.

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My grandmother entered the room just as the commercials had come on, startling me from my television-induced trance with a question - "What are you watching?" she asked in a friendly voice. Though I had been deeply engrossed in a show only seconds ago, and I was reasonably sure I was enjoying myself and what I was watching, I COULD NOT remember what had just appeared on the screen before me. "I don't know, but it's good!" I tried to explain.

Autism, Memory, & Change: Why Even Good Change is Hard for Me as an Autistic Person

Lyric Holmans

My grandmother entered the room just as the commercials had come on, startling me from my television-induced trance with a question – “What are you watching?” she asked in a friendly voice.

Though I had been deeply engrossed in a show only seconds ago, and I was reasonably sure I was enjoying myself and what I was watching, I COULD NOT remember what had just appeared on the screen before me.

“I don’t know, but it’s good!” I tried to explain. Continue reading Autism, Memory, & Change: Why Even Good Change is Hard for Me as an Autistic Person

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Google search results for can autistic with results: people love, people drive, people live alone, people be social, people join the army, people be empathetic, people have sex, be doctors, and drink alcohol

Can Autistic People Love? Thoughts on Love, Autism, NeuroDivergence, Passion, and Life

Lyric Holmans

Today, I typed the words “can autistic,” and the top result was “Can autistic people love?” – suggesting there’s a myth that we can’t love our love is different from non-autistic love.
Continue reading Can Autistic People Love? Thoughts on Love, Autism, NeuroDivergence, Passion, and Life

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This mark had been like a scarlet letter upon an otherwise exceptionable resume, creating assumptions about what I could and could not do before people even had the chance to meet me.

Openly Autistic: Why I DON’T Recommend Disclosing an Autism Diagnosis While Job Seeking (in MOST Situations)

Lyric Holmans

When I was first diagnosed Autistic, starting this blog shortly after, I was all for being Openly Autistic whenever possible (for a few reasons). However, my perspective has changed since then.
Continue reading Openly Autistic: Why I DON’T Recommend Disclosing an Autism Diagnosis While Job Seeking (in MOST Situations)