autistic trait

“That’s my biggest autistic trait–not knowing when I’m friends with someone,” my housemate said. We were at the dinner table, talking about social. “I think friendship is different when you’re housemates,” I said.  “Friendship can be like affection, reaching out, shared norms, shared language, shared values, things you do together.  But when you live with… Continue reading autistic trait

so you have a kid with autism

Hello, reader.  My spouse Ming has a friend whose kid was recently diagnosed with autism.  To celebrate Ming’s birthday, we were on a hike in the forest.  I mentioned how I’d had my limit, and Ming’s friend told me that it impresses him, how I know myself and can express when I’ve had enough.  He… Continue reading so you have a kid with autism

autistic timescale

I’ve been thinking about autistic timescale. It’s rare that I feel at the same timescale as anyone else.  Even other neurodivergent people.  We can neurodiverge in so many ways. Time is a huge part of life.  This autistic timescale difference causes struggle and feels like a big part of my disability. faster Often I am… Continue reading autistic timescale

autism and touch

Hello, I was excited to read this post by one of my favorite instgrammers neurodivergent_lou.  I felt very validated to hear another autistic person talk about autism and touch. https://www.instagram.com/p/Clwd8Zussfg/ Yes, there’s a stereotype that people with autism don’t like touch.  But issues with touch can play out in many ways.  In fact I love… Continue reading autism and touch

letter to my spouse

Hello, readers.  Thought you might enjoy this letter to my spouse Ming. It’s part of an email I sent him this morning. It’s about emotions in our mini-family lately, and how autism is part of the struggle. Today is my mom’s birthday, and I’m crying a lot because I miss her. Unexpressed intense grief can… Continue reading letter to my spouse

autism and sexuality

Hello, I’ve been thinking about autism and sexuality for a long time.  A friend of mine with autism mentioned she feels sorry for people who don’t have autism–because of sex.  She was saying that sensory sensitivities mean some people with autism feel sexual pleasure more intensely. Wow, yes.  I’ve been told by a few folks… Continue reading autism and sexuality

headphones as assistive devices

Hello, I’ve been thinking about tools I use to survive in a world that’s not made for disabled people.  I like headphones as assistive devices. loud world For a long time, I saw wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, grabbers, hearing aids, canes, screen readers, and shower chairs as assistive devices that mattered.  It was only recently that… Continue reading headphones as assistive devices