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: disability
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
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
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
Designing for every user – Neurodiversity in the workplace
Hello, how are you doing? My spouse Ming and I recently watched a zoom called Designing for every user – Neurodiversity in the workplace. That bright art glass pic is a screenshot of the scientist presenter’s website. I saw something about the free zoom on eventbright. Sounded great. I don’t have a workplace or plan… Continue reading Designing for every user – Neurodiversity in the workplace
smells
Hello, I have autism which includes sensory sensitivities, including sensitivity to smell. When my spouse and I visited Lotusland botanic garden this summer, one of the other guests on a tour was wearing perfume. I was angry because I was there to experience a place. Plants and the earth have a distinctive smell that I… Continue reading smells
uncouth
“Can I give you some feedback?” I asked my spouse Ming. I wanted to tell him how he had been uncouth. “It’s negative feedback. Two of them.” “Sure,” he said. Ming is the only person I’ve ever known who actually wants feedback about what he’s doing and how he made a mistake. Most people seem… Continue reading uncouth