When people think of autism, usually what pops into their mind is Ray from Rain Man or some other harmful, maybe even more grotesque, stereotype media has embedded in our psyches through misinformation. The problem with those images besides their obvious stigma and discriminatory depiction is autistics are a vibrant and eclectic group of people who vary greatly across the wide spectrum that is our condition. Yes, that’s right. I’m autistic, too. Naturally, I have some bias on the subject. ...
neurodivergence
A Neurodivergent’s Battle
The first thing that went wrong that morning was I overslept. Turning over to see the clock read 8:03 AM instead of 7:00 made my stomach lurch. Of course, all I wanted to do was roll over and go back to sleep, but that would only make the situation worse. It wasn’t a normal Sunday. Pesach was tomorrow. There were groceries to be bought. Dishes to be kashered. Endless preparations looming in the back of my mind. I couldn’t relax; not for a second. Dragging myself out of bed, I stirred my ...
A Hierarchy of Needs
I'm back momentarily to share one quick update, and something I recently learned which may help you as much as it has helped me by boosting my confidence about Life interrupting what is important to me over these last few years. In one of my recent sessions, my therapist and I were discussing ways to help communicate my needs during this time of learning about my autism since my diagnosis, and how to establish my boundaries more firmly with different areas which might demand more from me than ...
Glass Ball, Rubber Ball
I dropped the ball again. Except—as I heard someone once share how they manage the demands of Life—to me this was a rubber ball, not a glass one. I know this will bounce back, but I still should have shared yesterday. Anyway…I’d like you to meet two new friends of mine: Mr. & Mrs. Shroom. They hang out with me at work to let my coworkers know whether I’m having a good or bad mental health day. If good, Mrs. Shroom hangs out with me; if bad, well…her grumpy spouse joins me instead. ...
Accepting My Own Neurodivergence
Hello, my name is Lynn, and I have autism. Like many of you, this came as a shock to me, but then again, it didn’t. It rather came with a sense of relief, vindication, mingled with grief and indignation for not knowing sooner. You may recall how I have spoken about being an INFJ at great lengths, emphasizing that was the reason for my difference in perspective about the world. However, in recent years, I have developed a sense of…transcendence, for lack of a better term, knowing who I ...
