Autism Pride
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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.…
-
I Found My People in Tennessee
This past weekend, I attended the Southeastern Conference for Adults with Autism in Chattanooga, Tennessee. My parents attended a few years ago when I was in the hospital. I was excited about the community and the learning I would experience. I left work on Friday and drove for two hours to Ocoee, Tennessee. I drove…
-
We Must Do Better
I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about the generations of those with autism spectrum disorder in my family, myself included. While life has gotten better with each subsequent generation, there is still so much work to do. I can only speak to what it’s like trying to navigate this world as an adult…
-
Diagnosis At Last
My path to an autism diagnosis began after a series of mental health challenges caused the upheaval of my professional and private life. A relationship and a job had ended. In the throes of self-loathing and depression, I wanted to understand why I operated in the world the way I did. It had been suggested…
Living on the Spectrum 