Communication is a two-way street and when it comes to autism, it's often one-way traffic. When I say that people usually assume they know what I mean. They think I mean that autistic people are disordered and can't communicate as well as non-autistic people. That's not what I mean. Communication is one-way traffic insofar as … Continue reading How I Show Love: Autism
Tag: acceptance
The Power of ‘Can’ over ‘Should’
I love words. I love how they roll around my tongue and catch on my teeth. I love how they dangle and splutter and sometimes struggle to find their way out. Last week I did something new. I entered poems in a competition that required a reading. It was easy enough, I signed my name … Continue reading The Power of ‘Can’ over ‘Should’
I’m not just Socially Awkward
My autism isn't just what you can see on the surface.
The Cost of a Cure for Autism
What would a cure for autism really look like?
Autistic Peers
It's time we recognised a real need for #Autistic peer support. We need each other.
Adieu Autism Awareness
As another Autism Awareness month is over, I'm feeling silent. Acceptance or not, I shall carry on being here. Diagnosis or not, I shall carry on being who I am. Noticed or not, I shall still be. Wasn't it Descartes who said, "I think as an autistic, therefore I am an autistic"? Or something like … Continue reading Adieu Autism Awareness
Neurotypical Awareness
Being diagnosed late in life has meant that I've needed to learn a lot about a new subject that I didn't know applied to me. I've read personal accounts written by autistic people, I've read research papers, I've looked into coping mechanisms - and mostly found that I've built my own solutions over the years … Continue reading Neurotypical Awareness
I wanted to be good
That rule-following little girl, she really wanted to be good. She wanted to be able to eat all the food on her plate, even though the textures made her gag. She wanted to not shudder and press her ears to each shoulder in turn, every time you scraped your plate and it made that sound … Continue reading I wanted to be good
Autism is a Normal Neurological Variance
What is Autism? It's a social processing condition. It's a different way of processing sensory information. It's a different way of interfacing with the world. What isn't autism? Autism isn't a learning disability. Autism doesn't mean a low or high IQ. Autism isn't a behavioural problem. Autism isn't a person trapped inside a mental cage. … Continue reading Autism is a Normal Neurological Variance
