Baby Lyric is obsessed with the buttons on the phone. They want to know HOW the phone works because it seems magical.

Autism and “Social Difficulties” – How Sensory and Motor Control Differences Can Make Socializing Difficult for Me as an Autistic Person

Sensory obstacles are one of the biggest hindrances to my ability to communicate and socialize with others. There are a few reasons for this.

One way sensory things create an obstacle for me is that most social events are sensory nightmares by design.

Put a bunch of people in one indoor space, and it is almost always going to be more than my brain can handle (or if I survive it, I will then be exhausted and hung over – without touching alcohol).

If I turn down an invitation, people often take it personally, thinking I don’t want to spend time with them. Continue reading Autism and “Social Difficulties” – How Sensory and Motor Control Differences Can Make Socializing Difficult for Me as an Autistic Person

Lyric, standing on one of their favorite mountains, looking at other mountains. They’re wearing black and white shorts, and their bare back faces the camera s they face away. The RV they live in is on their right. In the foreground is white text that reads: I'm Polyamorous but I'm Also Afraid of Starting New Personal Relationships I'm on pause as I get to know my Self better - because that's a relationship I almost lost.

I’m Polyamorous but I’m Also Afraid of Starting New Personal Relationships

I’ve made no attempts to keep the fact that I am Polyamorous to myself.  This particular facet of my identity is one that I’ve known about since middle school (when I first found myself attracted to multiple people at the … Continue reading I’m Polyamorous but I’m Also Afraid of Starting New Personal Relationships

Adult Lyric, in a black ABA is abuse shirt, watching the sun setting over a lake.

From Shame to Self-Discovery: My Journey with Autism, Sensory Overload, the Pain of Behaviorism, and the Relief in Unexpected Places

I am a 37-year-old Autistic Adult who has fairly intense sensory sensitivities (that can trigger disorientation, vertigo, migraines, nausea, and other stomach problems). However, I did not understand this crucial fact about myself for most of my life. 

One might ask, “If things were so bad, why wasn’t your Autism identified earlier?” 

When I was first diagnosed Autistic (more than seven years ago now), I had the same question, though now I know the answer -it was noticed and mislabeled. Continue reading From Shame to Self-Discovery: My Journey with Autism, Sensory Overload, the Pain of Behaviorism, and the Relief in Unexpected Places

Photo of Lyric in a grey blazer, black undershirt, and red pants. They have their medium-length hair down and are smiling to the side in front of a bold orange and teal sunset. On the image is the text that reads: I AM Autistic and Proud - Lyric Rivera, NeuroDivergent Rebel.

Embracing my Autistic Identity: Do you ever get the feeling you are finally becoming who you were meant to be?

I’ve been spending a lot of time reflecting on who I used to be when I did not yet know I was Autistic, as well as who I am now (that I’ve known the truth about my mind for over seven years).

Continue reading Embracing my Autistic Identity: Do you ever get the feeling you are finally becoming who you were meant to be?

A group of people with their hands in the middle, as if about to break to go work together on an activity.

The Power of Opening Up: Why Vulnerability is Brave for Queer and NeuroDivergent People

My name is Lyric Rivera. I am NeuroDivergent -Autistic, ADHD, Hyperlexic; I have an anxiety disorder and am a survivor of abuse (which has also shaped my mind). I am also Queer. I am nonbinary (genderfluid), pansexual, and polyamorous. These … Continue reading The Power of Opening Up: Why Vulnerability is Brave for Queer and NeuroDivergent People