Autism Pride
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Life Lessons from Assisted Living Visits
I was often told growing up that people come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When a member of the book club I used to attend mentioned that her mother had recently transitioned from independent living to assisted living and could use visitors to cheer her up, I planned the…
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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…
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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…
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Unraveling the Mystery of Roanoke’s Lost Colony
I was not older than 9 when I went to Roanoke, North Carolina, for the first time. Part of our homeschool history curriculum was traveling to places where history happened, and one of the first trips we took as a family was to Roanoke, North Carolina. I remember going to the museum, where they had…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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Autistic Barbie?
This weekend, I finally saw the Barbie movie, and I have to say I was VERY impressed by the film’s sense of humor. I found myself laughing quite literally out loud a number of times in the theater. Beyond its laughs, it was also super creative in turning the Barbie brand into a living world…
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Understanding Autism: Breaking Stereotypes and Expectations
I’ve been meditating on how the standards for those with disabilities can be different than those without them. I didn’t get my diagnosis until I was well into adulthood, so I was just expected to achieve like my neurotypical siblings. I have to say, when I tell people I have level one, I’m met with…
Living on the Spectrum 