Autism Pride
-
The Importance of Legacy
This past year, I’ve been giving more thought to legacy and how we are remembered after we’re gone. It might be because I turned thirty this year, or it might be because I’ve attended more funerals this year than I have in my entire life. My grandmother didn’t want to have a service, and we…
-
The Vital Role of Parents in Supporting Autistic Adults
Speaking to the parents of adults with autism at the past symposium was particularly anxiety-inducing. My parents had attended while I was an inpatient at a psychiatric hospital for my unmanaged OCD. I hadn’t yet been tested for autism, but they and I were certain that an official diagnosis would only confirm what we all…
-
Public Speaking Growth: My Journey at the Autism Symposium
I recently presented for the third time at the adult autism symposium in Chattanooga. The first time I explained, I got very nervous. I started volunteering for public speaking opportunities at church, which helped me feel more comfortable in front of groups of people. It did feel better the second time, and I wasn’t nervous…
-
Unraveling the Mystery of Roanoke’s Lost Colony
I could not have been nine years old when I went to Roanoke, North Carolina, for the first time. Part of our homeschool curriculum when it came to history was traveling to places where history took place, and one of the first trips we took as a family was to Roanoke, North Carolina. I remember…
-
Memorial Day Reflections
Tomorrow is Memorial Day in the United States. At church, we were reminded of those who have died in service to our country, the veterans who have served, and the families who have served and sacrificed alongside the service members. A specific memory has come to mind for this Memorial Day. In high school, I…
-
To the Newly Diagnosed Child
Hello, My Dear Child, You’ve officially been diagnosed with autism. I want this letter to read like a welcome to Hogwarts Letter. So I got diagnosed at the age of 23, and that was after many, many mental health struggles that I couldn’t understand. For me, my diagnosis was a relief, a source of empowerment.…
-
From Fear to Enjoyment: My Public Speaking Journey
Public speaking is not something I ever thought I would enjoy or want to throw myself into. I still don’t count it amongst my top 10 favorite things to do with my free time, but something is rewarding about conveying a message to a group of people and not being so petrified. My experience in…
-
Navigating Dating with Autism: Challenges and Insights
I was asked recently how having autism had affected my ability to date and find romantic partners. If you had asked me when I was recently diagnosed I would have told you that autism was going to be a defining challenge in my ability to find love and sustain a long-term relationship. I went through…
-
The pressure to represent
The answer is yes! I often feel pressure to be on my best behavior so as not to reflect poorly on my demographic groups. I feel the most pressure to represent well when it comes to being a woman and an adult with autism. I feel pressure to represent the autistic community positively because I…
Living on the Spectrum 