Autism Pride
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Loving Pets: No Matter the Breed, It’s About Connection
I almost let out an audible gasp when I noticed the small bald patch on my male cat’s head, right near his right ear. For a moment, I worried he had sudden feline male-pattern baldness. I went to investigate, hoping to get a closer look, but he was less than thrilled and made every attempt…
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Is It a Victory to Drive and Work? Navigating Disability, Accomplishment, and Belonging
I’ve been reflecting on what it means to live with a long-term diagnosis—one I’ve carried since childhood. As I come to terms with this part of myself, I keep circling back to two facts: I can drive, and I have a job. On the surface, these might seem like ordinary milestones, but for me, and…
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My Journey to Applying for a Service Dog
I’m excited to share that I’ve officially begun the journey to apply for a service dog—a step that’s been years in the making, even if I didn’t realize it at first. The first time I learned service dogs existed was on a field trip to a training facility when I was a small child. Back…
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Balancing Work Ethic and Networking in Autism Employment
Growing up, the skill that was emphasized most to me was working hard. Sleep deprivation—even suffering—was acceptable as long as you could say you had worked hard. My dad seemed to pride himself on how little sleep he needed to function. I, on the other hand, would sleep well into the late morning or even…
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Hypermobility & Family History
Looking for patterns keeps me safe—or so I’ve told myself over the years. A few months ago, I started researching hypermobility and autism. Something tickled the back of my brain, and after running my first 5K and being in so much pain, I knew I had to invest time and resources in physical therapy. Now,…
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Inclusive Exercise: Prioritizing Health Over Competition
Growing up, the sport I was pushed to do most was swimming. My mom spun it as being a strong swimmer was a safety issue, but I think learning the four various strokes eventually stopped being about safety and started being an athletic endeavor. I started in the five-and-under group, which swam their practices in…
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Autism & Eating Disorders
Since my autism diagnosis at age 23, I have spent a great deal of time sifting through my life experiences and trying to understand how they might be tied to my diagnosis. One of the final puzzle pieces that recently fell into place was the eating disorder I began struggling with in high school, and…
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High School Personal Growth
When I walked into freshman orientation, what grabbed my attention most weren’t the classes or the teachers—it was the glitzy dances: homecoming and prom. My parents had a rule: no dating until sixteen, which meant I couldn’t have a boyfriend until junior year anyway. Of course, prom wasn’t even available to me until then. What…
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What I wish my dentist knew
I’ve been going to the same dentist since middle or high school. I remember when he graduated from the only dental school in our state. Now, years later, he’s balding and carrying some extra weight around the middle—a sign that time moves for us both. In my younger years, I had more energy to mask…
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Autism & Hypermobility
Growing up, I learned quickly I couldn’t trust my body. I’d be standing up one moment and on the ground the next. My torso would turn one way and my legs another. A knee would give out from under me. What would follow would be pain and nausea, and I’d be found by someone holding…
