About two years ago, we sat our then nine-year-old son down to review test results from the child psychologist he’d visited a few weeks earlier. “Did she say I’m autistic?” he asked. “Yes,” I said. “You are Autistic.” He was silent momentarily and finally replied, “But I don’t want to be Autistic. The kids atContinue reading “My Son Doesn’t Want to Be Autistic”
Tag Archives: Autism
Auditory Processing Disorder in Autism
Do you remember those hearing tests in elementary school? A test administrator would plunk bulky headphones over your ears and ask you to raise your hand every time you heard a sound. I always expected to fail those things but never did. Once my mother asked my doctor to do the test. She was certainContinue reading “Auditory Processing Disorder in Autism”
Putting Words First: Why Eye Contact Shouldn’t Be Used to Measure a Person
When I was a child, my parents encouraged – well, more like forced – me to make eye contact. “Look me in the eyes when I speak to you,” they’d bark. They didn’t understand how painful making eye contact can be for me. It feels like I’m forcing myself to hold my hand over anContinue reading “Putting Words First: Why Eye Contact Shouldn’t Be Used to Measure a Person”
What’s Tone Got to Do with It?
The natural communication style for autistics tends to take a straightforward approach. We know what we want to say, and we say it. But there’s more to communicating than words for non-autistics. Words are just one piece of the puzzle, and the non-verbal communication accompanying a verbal message can significantly influence how others interpret theContinue reading “What’s Tone Got to Do with It?”
But Everyone is a Little Autistic, Right?
If everyone is a little autistic, then wouldn’t it be the norm?
I’m NOT Fine, Thank You. How are You?
As an autistic person, I hate the question, “How are you doing?” When I say that I hate the question, think Grinch-loathes-Whoville-and-Christmas level hate. Seriously, it’s a horrible question. Why haven’t neurotypicals figured this out yet? As most autistics do, I learned about the insanity of this question the hard way. People may ask thisContinue reading “I’m NOT Fine, Thank You. How are You?”
Task Interruption at the Office: Hell on Earth for Autistics
We all know that interrupting someone is rude. Our parents taught us that. Our teachers taught us that. It’s frustrating to be engrossed in a task or conversation and be interrupted. Just about anyone, neurotypical or neurodivergent, is irritated on some level. I envy the person that can pick up a conversation with, “Now whereContinue reading “Task Interruption at the Office: Hell on Earth for Autistics”
What Does Identity Language Choice Mean for an Autistic?
Is LinkedIn promoting its polling feature? I must have missed the memo. All I see as I scroll through LinkedIn these days are polls. Polls about leadership and jobs and benefits. Polls about inclusion and interviews and, well, it turns out you can make a poll about any topic. Just scroll through your LinkedIn feed;Continue reading “What Does Identity Language Choice Mean for an Autistic?”
What’s In a Name? Asperger’s vs. Autism
Humans have fluid identities. The names or labels we use influence how we see ourselves and our place in the world. We build our experiences, emotions, and communities around those labels. As new labels are added to our lives, we reevaluate our identities to incorporate our new understanding. This process happens after an autism spectrumContinue reading “What’s In a Name? Asperger’s vs. Autism”
To Aspie or Not to Aspie 