“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…

California Dreaming on Such a Winter’s Day

March 28, 2020 I woke up this morning wanting to make a long list. Facts and findings about the world health pandemic. But even lists seem inappropriate in these times. Day twenty of not leaving home. Winded and short of breath. Propped up in bed for the long haul. Turmeric water. Ginger tea. Tea tree…

Day Eight of Waiting: Watching the Petals Drop

This morning started off well, except for the crushing chest pain that woke me up a couple times before starting my day. David texted to see if I was up, and then, shortly afterward, we met on the upstairs balcony, outside our bedroom doors. This is our new routine. We bundled in blankets and sweaters,…

Take a Look Inside E.A. by Samantha Craft

I invite you to take a look inside of my book Everyday Aspergers. Take a look here. (I just deleted an entire paragraph explaining why I am uncomfortable with self-promotion. I’ll spare you the details!) My publisher, Your Stories Matter, took great care to provide this ‘book-to-look’ version of the second edition of Everyday Aspergers.…

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…

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…

A Stranger in My Home

  I rented a room out in my house this past October. My middle son left for college. I had the extra room and needed the extra funds. I didn’t realize having a stranger in my house would be detrimental to my mental well being. I thought I’d learned enough about me, and being on…

“Aspie” Rant: Integrity within Autistic Groups and Networks

The original start of the title was Master Mind Fu** . . . Which still works. I abide by the philosophy of take what you need and leave the rest behind. I was taught manners and live by the golden rule of treat others how you wish to be treated. I take pride in my…

Dynamite of Discord: The Responsibility of Influencers in the Autism Culture

Dynamite of Discord: The Responsibility of Influencers in the Autism Culture Empowerment comes with responsibility. Now, more than ever, as autistics become empowered, and meet together in thousands of circles on social media, in coffee shops, at festivals and conferences, we must acknowledge that our voices will affect generations of autistics to come. As autistics,…

What If the Tables were Turned

What if The Tables were Turned . . . What would it be like if autistics were the founders, owners, leaders, managers, and supervisors in most businesses in the world? And we told the non-autistics that we would train them for bottom-level entry jobs but they could work their way up, maybe. And we told the…