Being an autism parent can be a challenge when you donāt have a community of support and understanding. We are in a different phase of life than many of our friends who want to support us, but donāt truly understand the joys, tribulations, extreme victories and moments of defeat. It can be a lonely journey,…
Eye Exams and Autism
My youngest son, Daniel, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3 1/2 years old. Our family was thrown into our own āhow to navigate our autismā journey. Although my son has limited language now, he was essentially non-verbal in those early years. Communication was difficult. Thankfully, here and there, we met wonderful providers,…
Disclosing Disability in the Workplace – My Experience
I am a late-diagnosed autistic adult, and I have ADHD, Bipolar II, OCD, and generalized anxiety. I also have dermatillomania, or skin picking disorder, and my information processing abilities rank 13th percentile. Physically, I have substantial hearing loss in both ears. This article focuses on lessons I learned as I searched for employment. I now…
Andrea Miller-Weir Named 2023 Roman Award Winner
When Direct Support Professional Andrea Miller-Weir began working with 11-year-old Alex Bagley, he couldnāt put his face underwater in the pool. With Miller-Weirās help, Alex became an award-winning swimmer and Special Olympics athlete. In the years since their first meeting, Miller-Weir has supported Alex through high school graduation, securing meaningful employment, and traveling the world….
Support Groups: Finding Common Ground One Front Porch at a Time
We find common ground through our Support Groups, which continue to meet needs through all seasons of life, mine included, throughout our state. I am from the big city of Greensboro; still, seasons of isolation were pervasive in our family for many years. Having fulfilling relationships and experiences seemed frustratingly close and far all at…
The Tools that Help Me Organize a Neurodivergent Life
I live at the intersection between ADHD and Autism. While I love my neurodivergent brain (most of the time), there is absolutely no doubt that I have to organize my life strategically to stay on top of #adulting. Not going to lie, even though I have extensive coping systems in place, some stuff falls through…
Parenting the Young Adult with Low Support Needs
Iāve entered that phase of motherhood that most of us donāt prepare for ā the parent of a young adult on the spectrum with low support needs. It is a tricky time when we see our young adults have the capacity to become independent, but they need some help, and we may not know as…