This is a letter to myself about autistic forgiveness, and how I’m ok. Dear Laura-Marie, I love you unconditionally, and you matter to me. Thank you for being who you are. Your senses are good. That you feel your senses at an 8 out of 10 as baseline, while most people feel their senses at… Continue reading autistic forgiveness
Tag: autism
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
poem about autism
I’ve written poetry since I was a young child, make poetry zines, and went to grad school for poetry–I earned an MFA. Poetry is a big part of my life, and a way I process reality. This morning I read a Walt Whitman poem at the recommendation of my housemate. Poetry is part of my… Continue reading poem about autism
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
travel while autistic
Hello, an autistic writer I know of talked about a trip to Disneyland, and asked readers for tips for travel while autistic. It’s a commonality of autism that we have trouble with change. Travel is change. Travel usually means less control over our environment, so it helps to have a plan. When my spouse Ming… Continue reading travel while autistic
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