Welcome to an Actually Autistic Person’s World


Please review the menu for stories from other actually autistic people. No single person should act as your guide to autism; be sure to explore.

Table of Contents

I am autistic. I prefer to be called an autistic person, not a person with autism, since autism colors every aspect of my life—I do not have autism; I am autistic.

Self-Stimulatory Behavior
Relationship Between Autism & Self-Regulation

  1. Introduction to Stimming
  2. Flapping | Hands | Skirts & Dresses
  3. Rocking | Rock-N-Read | Wobble Stool
  4. Sliding | Bath-Time | Water Aerobics
  5. Spiraling | Spinning | Swirling

This blog is a work-in-progress until April 2019, so parts still need to be written (i.e., some hyperlinks are pending).

Sensory Sensitivity
Relationship Between Autism & Perception

  1. Introduction to Sensitivity
  2. Sense of Sight | Facial Expressions | Light
  3. Sense of Smell | Soap | Tuna Sandwiches
  4. Sense of Sound | Tone of Voice | Yelling
  5. Sensory Enhancement | Spinners | Toys

So if all these other sources exist, why did I create an autism awareness blog?

Meltdowns & Shutdowns
Relationship Between Autism & Emotions

  1. Introduction to Melt/Shutdowns
  2. Anger | Alarm | Fight Response
  3. Confusion | Isolation & Loneliness | Sarcasm
  4. Fear | Flight Response | Freeze Loop (External Link)
  5. Joy | Acceptance | Authenticity

Because Cleo said, “Make an autism amwareness blog,” and I agreed—it sounded like a good idea.

Ableism
Relationship Between Autism & Culture

  1. Introduction to Ableism (External Link)
  2. Micro-Aggression | Everyone’s Autistic | You’re Not Autistic
  3. Myths | The “Epidemic” | High-Function Autism
  4. Practice | Kindness | Understanding
  5. Gender Issues | 4x as Many Boys | Copycats

P.S.

My cats don’t talk. But how cool would it be if they did?

Co-Morbid Disorders
Relationship Between Autism & Health

  1. Introduction to Mental & Physical Health
  2. Anxiety | Math Phobia | Social Anxiety
  3. Depression (External Link) | Hopelessness | Passive Suicidal Thoughts
  4. Stomach Issues | Irritable Bowel | Ulcers
  5. Thriving | Positive Thinking | Routine

To read more about my writing projects leading up to April 2019, visit here or here.

Social Life
Relationship Between Autism & Belonging

  1. Introduction to the Autistic Social Life
  2. Interpersonal Skills | Internet | Friendship | Social Creativity
  3. Gaming Together | Nintendo | MMOs | World of Warcraft
  4. Therapy Pets | Birds | Cats | Fish
  5. Romance | Dating | Marriage | Sexual Exploitation
  6. School Life | Academics | Bullying | Teams

Please note I’m an expert by experience (I’m autistic), not by profession (ex., doctor), and I use this blog not just to educate others, but explore within myself.

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My Brand of Autism

Every autistic person has their own brand of autism. That’s why we call it autism spectrum; we are not a defined way, but rather, a spectrum of different ways that share similar characteristics.

Rituals & Favorites
When Joy Emerges from Curiosity

  1. Introduction to Sameness
  2. Food & Drink | Cinnamon Tea | Spice | Texture
  3. Language | Numbers | English | Foreign Language Class
  4. Music | Flute | Game Music | Symphony of Science
  5. Nature | Fire | Flowers | Water

Sometimes, I write (or speak) directly about an issue. Other times, it feels safer (or smarter) to approach a conversation through storytelling.

Special Interests
When Expertise Emerges from Curiosity

  1. Introduction to Special Interests
  2. 21st Century | AI | We Are Simulated | Virtual Worlds
  3. Consciousness | Collective Unconscious | Death | Spirituality
  4. Essential Oils | Anxiety | Depression | Creativity (External Link)
  5. Futurism | Technological Singularity | Roomba | Sci-fi Novel (External Link)
  6. Reading | Escapism | First Books | Research
  7. Writing | Communication | Exploration | Fantasy Novel (External Link)
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Events

The following posts were drafted as part of my participation with Autism Awareness Month and National Blog Posting Month.

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Thank you for your interest in my writing.