Moving from a Deficit Medical Model to a Social Model for Humans on the Autism Spectrum

Image of black bird perched atop an empty closed cage with words below reading: Birds born in a cage think flying is an illness. In all capitals. Quote by Alejandro Jodorowsky. The spectrum of autism, including the variable attributes of nationality, age, gender identity, ability, intersectionality, and coexisting conditions, greatly determines one’s understanding of the…

Guesswork in the Time of COVID-19

Sitting here in bed, after an online meeting with my kind coworker, feeling out of breath and a bit overly-anxious. I just finished wiping a blob of Manuka honey off the Otterbox protective cover on my Samsung-10 smartphone, thinking I wish my body had an Otterbox case. It’s day twenty-three (23) of being ‘sheltered in…

Instinctual Observation, Analysis of Data, and Knowing: The Lurking Virus

There are moments that my hyper-fast cognitive processing and ability to find patterns is a burden, particularly when I am trying to engage in a balanced and fully engaged conversation with another human being. Often times, during discussions, my mind takes me outside of the conversation into a realm of what ifs, what could be,…

We cannot definitely say someone is not infected: COVID-19 Nightmares

“We don’t have a test that can definitely say someone is not infected,” said Dr. John Swartzberg, a specialist in infectious disease and clinical professor emeritus at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health. (Source) I am listening to my neighbor who is standing outdoors below, outside my upstairs bedroom window, coughing his lungs out. I…

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…

Defining Autism? Consider the Source

“The main thing every business leader should know about autism is the understanding of autism itself. Without it you will not only be unable to utilize the strengths of your employee, but it will be a complete waste of time, as you’re presuming you speak a language you’ve never learned better than someone who’s spoken…

What This Autistic Teacher Wants Professionals to Know

What This Autistic Teacher would like Professionals to Know . . . ONE: Many of us on the autism spectrum embrace the word “autistic” and prefer the use of autistic over phrases such as “with autism” or “with Aspergers.” Autistic isn’t a bad word. How one refers to oneself is a personal preference. TWO: Autism…

Autism: Lesser Known “Facts”

1. A significant number of autistics don’t identify with a gender or are transgender or bi-gender. A significant number of male autistics relate to the autistic experience that the majority of female Aspergerians express, particularly, intense and confusing emotions, deep empathy, sense of isolation and awkwardness, not being believed when authentic, and difficulty with conforming to…