Tag: autistic pride

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If Not ABA, then What? Increasing Communication, Language, and Academic Skills

Lyric Holmans

I sat in on and gave testimony at multiple meetings, listening to representatives from various ABA organizations (including Autism Speaks) reading scripts intended to create fear that Autistic People would create “astronomical costs” for the state if we didn’t get ABA.

On one occasion, I listened in horror as an ABA provider casually and coldly threw in statistics about parents who kill their Autistic children because we are so challenging. Continue reading If Not ABA, then What? Increasing Communication, Language, and Academic Skills

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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

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"Defiant," "oppositional," "strong-willed," "opinionated," "inflexible," "disobedient," "contrarian," "insubordinate," "rigid," "unruly," "bull-headed," - if it's another word for rebel I've been called it. This is the main reason I named my blog "NeuroDivergent Rebel" - because I'm reclaiming a term used to describe me for most of my life (one that was not intended as a compliment).

Stubborn Rebellious Child: Autistic, Demand Avoidant, and Anxious, with a High Need for Autonomy

Lyric Holmans

“Defiant,” “oppositional,” “strong-willed,” “opinionated,” “inflexible,” “disobedient,” “contrarian,” “insubordinate,” “rigid,” “unruly,” “bull-headed,” – if it’s another word for rebel I’ve been called it. This is the main reason I named my blog “NeuroDivergent Rebel” – because I’m reclaiming a term used to describe me for most of my life (one that was not intended as a compliment).

The reasons for my “rebellions” were often misunderstood by the adults around me, especially when I would “refuse” to do even the things I wanted to do and enjoyed (when those things felt compelled). Continue reading Stubborn Rebellious Child: Autistic, Demand Avoidant, and Anxious, with a High Need for Autonomy

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The unrealistic and unfair expectations that are placed on Autistic People, combined with pressure to blend in and camouflage one's Autistic traits and the fact that Autistic ways of resting and recharging are often seen as "taboo," leaves many of us teetering on a dangerous edge - spending our lives tip-toeing in and out (or on the edge of) burnout.

Teetering on the Edge of Burnout and Ideation – Is being able to Camouflage one’s NeuroDivergence a “privilege?”

Lyric Holmans

I have many things I want to write and do, but I often struggle to find the time and energy.

Like many Autistic People, I operate on a perilous edge, teetering between burnout and barely resting enough not to burn out.

This can happen to Autistic People for various reasons (but capitalism and societal expectations are a significant source of stress and burnout for many, possibly most, of us). Continue reading Teetering on the Edge of Burnout and Ideation – Is being able to Camouflage one’s NeuroDivergence a “privilege?”

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Because I am incompatible with the world, I have two options regarding how to deal with the compatibility issues I face daily. Option 1: Modify MYSELF to fit into the world (because the world expects me to conform and doesn't have compassion for my NeuroDivergent brain). Option 2: Changing my environment and the world around me to better suit my needs instead of changing (and breaking) myself to fit into the world.

My Autistic Truth: Two Choices – Modify Myself to Fit into the World OR Modify the World Around Me to Fit My Needs

Lyric Holmans

Because I am incompatible with the world, I have two options regarding how to deal with the compatibility issues I face daily.

Option 1: Modify MYSELF to fit into the world (because the world expects me to conform and doesn’t have compassion for my NeuroDivergent brain).

Option 2: Changing my environment and the world around me to better suit my needs instead of changing (and breaking) myself to fit into the world. Continue reading My Autistic Truth: Two Choices – Modify Myself to Fit into the World OR Modify the World Around Me to Fit My Needs

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Being Autistic doesn't necessarily mean one will have a mental health condition; there are Autistic people with great mental health out there, but they are in the minority.

Autism is NOT a Mental Illness! What IS Autism: Autistic People Without the Pathology

Lyric Holmans

One piece of misinformation I’ve been seeing a lot of recently on this page is the misconception that “Autism is a mental illness” – which it’s not. 

Being Autistic doesn’t necessarily mean one will have a mental health condition; there are Autistic people with great mental health out there, but they are in the minority.
Continue reading Autism is NOT a Mental Illness! What IS Autism: Autistic People Without the Pathology

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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)