A Simple Message

(Image of stick figure in black paint holding up red empty heart with the words: Trauma is the chronic disruption of connectedness. A quote by Stephen Porges. Original posting of image by Beacon Services in UK.) * The global crisis of the Covid-19 pandemic comes with many challenges and tragic losses. The continual changes and…

I’d Love You If You Were a Lobster

Life lately is a shit-muffin. Which reminds me. I had my first ever slice of brown sugar pie, as an Easter (curbside order) treat, and declared that it’s officially my least favorite dessert, hovering at the bottom, below banana cream pie. Oddly, on Easter Sunday, while sitting on the balcony by myself, I saw a…

“It’s Okay to Be Afraid” Notes to Self in the Year of COVID-19

March 31, 2020, Day 22 of ‘shelter in place.’ During these times of the COVID-19 global pandemic, it is reasonable to assume that most individuals will experience some level of fear. Whether the fear is a result of self- or family-preservation, woes of the world, concerns over medical conditions or supplies, a neurological condition, mood…

Ask an Autistic: 10 Considerations You Should Know Now (Not Tomorrow)

“We are loyal to those who support and nurture us . . . It frustrates me that I am expected to follow the same trajectory as all the others, while my positive traits are down played. If my employer could only help me to be my best, they’d get the best employee ever.” Apprentice Truck…

Fake It: How We are Failing Autistic Job Seekers and What You Can Do About It

  If you are familiar with the topic of autism and the workplace, you’ve likely noted that extensive time and energy is dedicated to the way in which an autistic job seeker can change their presentation style in effort to get hired. I was recently contacted by a job candidate on the autism spectrum who wrote: ‘As…

Celebrating Becoming ‘Normal’

I posted a, what-turned-out-to-be, thought provoking statement on social media yesterday (on my Facebook author’s page and Everyday Aspergers page). Thank you for all who partook in the discussion. I had angst after I made my post, and started to stim and move into OCD behaviors. I had to modify one part of my posted…

It’s Time WE Start Questioning Emotional IQ Tests for Autistics

  At times autistics are said to have low emotional IQ levels and told that they need improve emotional IQ levels, by well-meaning employers and support professionals. In fact, some individuals on the autism spectrum are segregated in work environments and told to take emotional IQ trainings, while their peers are not subjected to such…

Autism & Employment: Setting the Record Straight.

  There is a statistic quoted, 1000 times over, about unemployment and underemployment rates associated with the autistic population. I used to quote it. The quote states: Sources estimate between 75% and 80% of autistic adults are either unemployed or underemployed. I’ve heard this statistic on news channels. Watched it on YouTube videos. Read it in books.…

Invisible . . .

  Sometimes I feel invisible when another assumes things about me that are not accurate, particularly, if their assumption contradicts my own deepest self. This happens most often when another interprets my actions as having an ulterior motive. When I speak, there are times another will assume I am: bragging to impress; stating something to…

Setting Boundaries and the Autism Spectrum

I am on the autism spectrum and have coexisting conditions, including PTSD and GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder). Because of my prior history and the nature of my neurology, sometimes I find it hard to set boundaries. Furthermore, it is a challenge to recognize when my boundaries have been crossed. Sometimes it takes me days, months,…