Being Autistic in a World of Watchers

“I deeply regret sharing my diagnosis. My coworker thought Aspergers was an extremely awful disability that makes people uncomfortable. He had no reference point. And nothing was ever the same again. It resulted in the end of our working relationship. If I was ever to go into another job, the last thing I would ever…

DON’T JUDGE ME BASED ON A MOUSE!

Last night I was thinking about two educational roles I interviewed for in the years past and the administered skills tests I subsequently flopped. For some of us, interview experiences stick with us for a lifetime. I remember two instances where I didn’t make the grade. The funny thing is that I was an exemplary…

The necessity to pause . . .

The necessity to pause . . . I had a really rough morning. Thankfully, I work at a place where I can bring my whole self to work. Fortunately, I work at a company where self-care, family, and mental health are a priority. If I had to, I could pick up the phone and call…

Happy Disability Pride Month 2022 from Samantha Craft

Happy Disability Pride Month from George Bailey and Me. I am part of the diverse disability community. Beyond being a #neurodivergent, I have been physically disabled for over two decades. Disability Pride Month holds a unique meaning depending on the individual. For me, it is about holding space for others’ dignity and truly reflecting on what…

Radical Leadership: It’s time to make space for our humanity

I’ve just sat through nearly a dozen presentations on ethical leadership in the past week, with local leaders in the Pacific Northwest from a variety of backgrounds and credentials, most, if not all, from historically underserved communities. I’ve survived my first twelve months in the doctorate program in leadership, with ample time to reflect on…

Samantha Craft: ‘Whole Lot of Somethings’ and TikTok

Hello All, Ramble warning. Pinball-like writing, official AuDHD style! Shall we proceed? I recently got a bumper sticker for my 2017 silver Honda CRV automobile that reads: I may be old but that’s ok . . . I got to see all the good bands. I wanted to laugh, but then Sir Brain thought, “Is…

Peace (The Power Of)

5.2022 Samantha Craft

My mind is a beautiful variant of the neurotypical mind. I’m neuro-variant.

A variant of a particular thing is something that has a different form from that thing, although it is related to it. “The quagga was a strikingly beautiful variant of the zebra.” (Collins Dictionary) This makes me think: “The Autistic individual’s way of thinking was a strikingly beautiful variant of the neurotypical’s mind.” The sentence…

Autism in a Briefcase: Straight Talk about Belonging in a Neurodiverse World

“…I’m looking for the face I had, before the world was made…” — William Butler Yeats, Irish poet, one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature Hello All, I have been busy, which is a blessing, during these difficult and challenging times. I wanted to share with you something profound in my life. About a…

What Workplace Discrimination and Inequity Looks like for the Autistic Neurominority

This is based on my experience as an active advocate in the autism community for 8 years, with over 10,000 direct interactions/correspondence with autistic people and their supporters. And based on my 6 years serving as a Recruitment Manager at Ultranaut Inc., an engineering firm with an autism-hiring initiative. Join me here on Linkedin and…

Nothing About Us Without Us: The Neurominority Dilemma

A distressed young child held down to a chairThey say he’s “just being a brat”They clearly don’t careThe teen they think is too shy to speakIs aware they are differentAnd may be more powerful than meekThe adult struggling to find lasting workIs discriminated againstOver their many ‘weird’ quirksWe may not always look others in the…