You have been invited to a party! Yay! Now what? Speaking from experience, parties can be very tricky for people with autism. I am an adult with autism, and I teach and coach young adults with autism. I’ve also taken a lot of acting and writing classes, which often require homework that consists of observing…
I Really Am Listening to You!
I really am listening to you! My eyes are looking elsewhere. I’m playing with something. I’m rocking. Humming. Giving an unpleasant facial expression. Fill in the blank! “Normal” people look right at you and respond. Sorry! I can’t! But I can listen! I AM listening! You are very important to me. Your thoughts are interesting….
What’s Speech Got to Do with It?
When I was studying to be a doctor in India, in the third year of my 51/2 year course of homeopathic medical science, I read about “autism.” I did not react to it much as I thought (just as anyone might), “Wow, what a terrible challenge, wonder how folks who have it cope and deal…
Autism and the Sibling Connection
My husband, Chip, and I have two adult children, Hayley (26) and Evan (22). Evan has autism and other co-morbid conditions. At age 19, he graduated high school Cum Laude with an OCS diploma. According to Evan’s former case manager, an older sibling can be the best therapist. Not to discount professional intervention, but in…
Why Do I Get Overwhelmed in New Places?
When I go somewhere new, I am not comfortable. I am very guarded. There are a lot of things that could threaten me. I am not aware of this fear. I am not able to respond to you as I can at home. I am not the person you know when I walk into the…
Finding My Purpose in Teaching Youth on the Spectrum
As a person with high-functioning autism, I have been blessed with the amazing opportunity to work with youth on the spectrum. I have worked for about 20 years as a teacher, if my volunteer teaching is included. I have worked as a regular education teacher in high schools, as a community college instructor for filmmaking,…
What It’s Like to Have a Severe Autism Meltdown
One of the biggest fears a person can have is loss of control of self. The other is fear of the unknown. For many with autism, the unknown can trigger a loss of control. One great fear leads to another. There are many sources out there that will tell you why we do what we…
On the Road to Interdependence
Merriam-Webster defines independence as the quality or state of being independent, or competence. Other words used to express independence include self-support, self-subsistence, self-reliance, self-sufficiency, and finally, self-dependence. How many times have you heard or said the word “independently” or used any of these synonyms when discussing goals, measuring growth, or contemplating the future as it…