10 Reasons We Need Autistic Pride
Autistic Pride Day was not borne from the need to celebrate being Autistic, but instead in recognition of our right to live authentically (or at all). Continue reading 10 Reasons We Need Autistic Pride
Tag: ASD
What IS Autism? How do you explain being Autistic to people?
The most important thing you can do as a newly discovered Autistic Person (or someone who’s supporting one) is learning NOT what AUTISM is but what being Autistic means to YOU (or your loved one) as an individual Autistic Person. Continue reading What IS Autism? How do you explain being Autistic to people?
Friendly Reminder: The First Pride Was a Riot
They say Queer People are “perverts” and “sexual deviants,” but our accusers seem to be the ones obsessed with sex and private parts.
Continue reading Friendly Reminder: The First Pride Was a Riot
Self-Identified Autistics: IS diagnosis a Privilege? Why Some People May Self-Diagnose with Autism
There is a misconception that, because someone’s NeuroDivergence is identified in adulthood, they struggled less growing up than NeuroDivergent People diagnosed as children.
Continue reading Self-Identified Autistics: IS diagnosis a Privilege? Why Some People May Self-Diagnose with Autism
Autism & Learning to Recognize Autistic Meltdowns Before It’s Too Late
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
Late NeuroDivergent Diagnosis – Diagnosed Autistic at 29 – Reading my Autism Diagnostic Report
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
Pride Month: Why We NEED Queer Pride
These things, that society tends to value in heteronormative culture, are ways that I have been told I am wrong throughout most of my life… or that the way I experience my gender identity and my orientation, and my attractions to other human beings, is wrong, much like being told, being ADHD and Autistic is wrong. Continue reading Pride Month: Why We NEED Queer Pride
The Challenges of being Autistic in a NonAutistic World
Learning I’m Autistic has helped with some things, and made them easier. I am studying facial expressions and body language, to learn what some of that stuff means. I’m learning it in a very unnatural way, and I hear some people picked up on that naturally in life, which is hard for me to fathom… but I’m learning it.
I’m capable of understanding these things, it’s just like learning a foreign language to me. Some things, however, haven’t gotten any easier, because some things might be more difficult for some of us.
Continue reading The Challenges of being Autistic in a NonAutistic World
What is it Really Like Being Autistic
What’s it like being Autistic? The answer to that question is going to change a lot, depending on the Autistic Person you ask… but I’m happy to share my experience with you this week. Continue reading What is it Really Like Being Autistic
I See Autistic & NeuroDivergent People Who Don’t KNOW their Minds Work Differently
There are people out there in the world today who do not know that they are NeuroDivergent, and may never know in their lifetimes. Not knowing that our brains work differently from that of a lot of other people on this planet, can have impacts on us, on our mental health, and our sense of self-worth; when we constantly compare ourselves to others around us, whose brains do not work as ours do. Continue reading I See Autistic & NeuroDivergent People Who Don’t KNOW their Minds Work Differently