Too autistic for this world

Cole | 21 | Autistic trans kid | he / him Pro self diagnosis | Special interest: Mushrooms!

[allcatsareautistic]

Hi if you have the energy to answer, what app are you using for AAC? I've been wondering if I should try it out because talking is just so difficult sometimes. Feel free to add any fun fact(s) about mushrooms because while they're not my special interest I really enjoy them!

No problem!

I am currently waiting for my waiver to approve a new iPad and cover the app Proloquo2Go for me. This app is $120, so probably not the best option for if you’re just wanting to try out AAC, because it’s a pretty significant financial commitment.

That being said, the Proloquo apps are pretty fantastic and really robust, with lots of options for customizability. Proloquo2Go is the symbol based one and what I am switching to. Proloquo4Text is a text based version and one that I currently have. I found that symbol based options actually work a whole lot better for me, even though I am a strong reader. I prefer the grid layout of symbol based apps, and having those symbols there lets me find the button I want much more quickly.

Here’s a screenshot of Proloquo4Text on my phone. I can get more detailed with some of the specific features that the apps have if anyone is curious! P4T is also $120.

Right now, while I am between apps, I have been creating boards on Boardmaker Online to use. Boardmaker Online has a 60 day free trial and lets you easily create boards with symbols. I created a board based off of the core word interface of Proloquo2Go with an added letter board so I can spell out any words I’m missing. Because this is not an actual app, I just save the boards as images to my old iPad and point to my selections. This method does not give me a voice output and so you have to rely on your communication partner to be able to read your selections, which can be challenging to people who aren’t used to it. Here’s the main board that I’ve been using. If anyone wants a higher quality version of this board to test out using for themselves, let me know and I’m happy to provide that!

[positiveautistic-deactivated202]

I use snap core first!

[normal-downloadfailed]

Some links to the products mentioned:

Proloquo2go,

Proloquo4text

Boardmaker online (their website currently shows 30 day trial rather than 60 days in the original post)

Snap Core First

[normal-downloadfailed]

My wife, who is a speech language pathologist, did suggest that those exploring AAC devices to consult someone who understands the options and can help determine what is most useful for an individual’s specific needs

*disclaimer: neither of us use an AAC device and our voices don’t outweigh the individual using the device. each person is ultimately the one who understands what they need and their opinion is the one that matters

[allcatsareautistic]

I know you mean well, but the attitude that a professional like an SLP knows better than the community is such a common message that can cause a lot of harm. I appreciate the disclaimer on there where you acknowledge that our voices are important and can see that you are recognizing that you don’t share this same identity, and I would invite you to consider that a lot of nonspeaking and semispeaking folks are exposed pretty much constantly to these kinds of messages.

For many people and for a variety of reasons, SLPs may not be great option or an option that is available at all, and so I think it’s important to make that information available to everyone. Working with an SLP is absolutely an option that might be a good fit for some people (It is something I’m doing, for example), but for others it makes more sense to do it independently, or with help from others in the community instead, and that’s just fine! If you’re interested in continuing this conversation here or privately, I am happy to do so :)

[normal-downloadfailed]

I appreciate you pointing that out - I didn’t stop and think about the frequency that that kind of advice gets thrown around and how repeating it - especially as someone outside the community - could not only be not helpful but actually harmful to hear constantly repeated rather than letting help come from inside the community. Because I inserted myself into that exact situation, where people in the community were helping each other, without thinking about whether my advice was wanted especially given that y’all were literally already helping each other. Like, really I’m so glad you pointed this out bc I kicked myself as soon as I read it since it should’ve been so obvious to me, my sincere apologies for not taking a moment beforehand to think about why I was offering my advice and come to the conclusion myself about it’s impact.

[allcatsareautistic]

Thanks so much for taking it so well and listening to what I had to say!

[allcatsareautistic]

Hi if you have the energy to answer, what app are you using for AAC? I've been wondering if I should try it out because talking is just so difficult sometimes. Feel free to add any fun fact(s) about mushrooms because while they're not my special interest I really enjoy them!

No problem!

I am currently waiting for my waiver to approve a new iPad and cover the app Proloquo2Go for me. This app is $120, so probably not the best option for if you’re just wanting to try out AAC, because it’s a pretty significant financial commitment.

That being said, the Proloquo apps are pretty fantastic and really robust, with lots of options for customizability. Proloquo2Go is the symbol based one and what I am switching to. Proloquo4Text is a text based version and one that I currently have. I found that symbol based options actually work a whole lot better for me, even though I am a strong reader. I prefer the grid layout of symbol based apps, and having those symbols there lets me find the button I want much more quickly.

Here’s a screenshot of Proloquo4Text on my phone. I can get more detailed with some of the specific features that the apps have if anyone is curious! P4T is also $120.

Right now, while I am between apps, I have been creating boards on Boardmaker Online to use. Boardmaker Online has a 60 day free trial and lets you easily create boards with symbols. I created a board based off of the core word interface of Proloquo2Go with an added letter board so I can spell out any words I’m missing. Because this is not an actual app, I just save the boards as images to my old iPad and point to my selections. This method does not give me a voice output and so you have to rely on your communication partner to be able to read your selections, which can be challenging to people who aren’t used to it. Here’s the main board that I’ve been using. If anyone wants a higher quality version of this board to test out using for themselves, let me know and I’m happy to provide that!

[positiveautistic-deactivated202]

I use snap core first!

[normal-downloadfailed]

Some links to the products mentioned:

Proloquo2go,

Proloquo4text

Boardmaker online (their website currently shows 30 day trial rather than 60 days in the original post)

Snap Core First

[normal-downloadfailed]

My wife, who is a speech language pathologist, did suggest that those exploring AAC devices to consult someone who understands the options and can help determine what is most useful for an individual’s specific needs

*disclaimer: neither of us use an AAC device and our voices don’t outweigh the individual using the device. each person is ultimately the one who understands what they need and their opinion is the one that matters

[allcatsareautistic]

I know you mean well, but the attitude that a professional like an SLP knows better than the community is such a common message that can cause a lot of harm. I appreciate the disclaimer on there where you acknowledge that our voices are important and can see that you are recognizing that you don’t share this same identity, and I would invite you to consider that a lot of nonspeaking and semispeaking folks are exposed pretty much constantly to these kinds of messages.

For many people and for a variety of reasons, SLPs may not be great option or an option that is available at all, and so I think it’s important to make that information available to everyone. Working with an SLP is absolutely an option that might be a good fit for some people (It is something I’m doing, for example), but for others it makes more sense to do it independently, or with help from others in the community instead, and that’s just fine! If you’re interested in continuing this conversation here or privately, I am happy to do so :)

[allcatsareautistic]

Hi if you have the energy to answer, what app are you using for AAC? I've been wondering if I should try it out because talking is just so difficult sometimes. Feel free to add any fun fact(s) about mushrooms because while they're not my special interest I really enjoy them!

No problem!

I am currently waiting for my waiver to approve a new iPad and cover the app Proloquo2Go for me. This app is $120, so probably not the best option for if you’re just wanting to try out AAC, because it’s a pretty significant financial commitment.

That being said, the Proloquo apps are pretty fantastic and really robust, with lots of options for customizability. Proloquo2Go is the symbol based one and what I am switching to. Proloquo4Text is a text based version and one that I currently have. I found that symbol based options actually work a whole lot better for me, even though I am a strong reader. I prefer the grid layout of symbol based apps, and having those symbols there lets me find the button I want much more quickly.

Here’s a screenshot of Proloquo4Text on my phone. I can get more detailed with some of the specific features that the apps have if anyone is curious! P4T is also $120.

Right now, while I am between apps, I have been creating boards on Boardmaker Online to use. Boardmaker Online has a 60 day free trial and lets you easily create boards with symbols. I created a board based off of the core word interface of Proloquo2Go with an added letter board so I can spell out any words I’m missing. Because this is not an actual app, I just save the boards as images to my old iPad and point to my selections. This method does not give me a voice output and so you have to rely on your communication partner to be able to read your selections, which can be challenging to people who aren’t used to it. Here’s the main board that I’ve been using. If anyone wants a higher quality version of this board to test out using for themselves, let me know and I’m happy to provide that!

[positiveautistic-deactivated202]

I use snap core first!

[allcatsareautistic]

I hadn’t heard of that one, thank you!

[allcatsareautistic]

Hi if you have the energy to answer, what app are you using for AAC? I've been wondering if I should try it out because talking is just so difficult sometimes. Feel free to add any fun fact(s) about mushrooms because while they're not my special interest I really enjoy them!

No problem!

I am currently waiting for my waiver to approve a new iPad and cover the app Proloquo2Go for me. This app is $120, so probably not the best option for if you’re just wanting to try out AAC, because it’s a pretty significant financial commitment.

That being said, the Proloquo apps are pretty fantastic and really robust, with lots of options for customizability. Proloquo2Go is the symbol based one and what I am switching to. Proloquo4Text is a text based version and one that I currently have. I found that symbol based options actually work a whole lot better for me, even though I am a strong reader. I prefer the grid layout of symbol based apps, and having those symbols there lets me find the button I want much more quickly.

Here’s a screenshot of Proloquo4Text on my phone. I can get more detailed with some of the specific features that the apps have if anyone is curious! P4T is also $120.

Right now, while I am between apps, I have been creating boards on Boardmaker Online to use. Boardmaker Online has a 60 day free trial and lets you easily create boards with symbols. I created a board based off of the core word interface of Proloquo2Go with an added letter board so I can spell out any words I’m missing. Because this is not an actual app, I just save the boards as images to my old iPad and point to my selections. This method does not give me a voice output and so you have to rely on your communication partner to be able to read your selections, which can be challenging to people who aren’t used to it. Here’s the main board that I’ve been using. If anyone wants a higher quality version of this board to test out using for themselves, let me know and I’m happy to provide that!

[failure-to-adult]

To add to this:

I use Proloquo2Go and Proloquo4Text and they're awesome. You can do a HUGE amount of customization on them for how they look (huge if you're like me and benefit from high contrast) and how the voices sound. Also Proloquo2Go lets you attach up to 60 second sound recordings to buttons, which is nifty.

Sadly they only work on iOS and MacOS, but they're really really cool.

Also if folks want to try out a cross platform AAC app, CoughDrop offers a...I think 4 month trial period currently (it was 2, but they extended it when the pandemic hit so people could have easy AAC access at home if they normally only had it at school or wherever). Its symbol based.

Here is a good graphic of available AAC options!

[allcatsareautistic]

Thanks for this fantastic graphic and some more info about Coughdrop!

[allcatsareautistic]

Hi if you have the energy to answer, what app are you using for AAC? I've been wondering if I should try it out because talking is just so difficult sometimes. Feel free to add any fun fact(s) about mushrooms because while they're not my special interest I really enjoy them!

No problem!

I am currently waiting for my waiver to approve a new iPad and cover the app Proloquo2Go for me. This app is $120, so probably not the best option for if you’re just wanting to try out AAC, because it’s a pretty significant financial commitment.

That being said, the Proloquo apps are pretty fantastic and really robust, with lots of options for customizability. Proloquo2Go is the symbol based one and what I am switching to. Proloquo4Text is a text based version and one that I currently have. I found that symbol based options actually work a whole lot better for me, even though I am a strong reader. I prefer the grid layout of symbol based apps, and having those symbols there lets me find the button I want much more quickly.

Here’s a screenshot of Proloquo4Text on my phone. I can get more detailed with some of the specific features that the apps have if anyone is curious! P4T is also $120.

Right now, while I am between apps, I have been creating boards on Boardmaker Online to use. Boardmaker Online has a 60 day free trial and lets you easily create boards with symbols. I created a board based off of the core word interface of Proloquo2Go with an added letter board so I can spell out any words I’m missing. Because this is not an actual app, I just save the boards as images to my old iPad and point to my selections. This method does not give me a voice output and so you have to rely on your communication partner to be able to read your selections, which can be challenging to people who aren’t used to it. Here’s the main board that I’ve been using. If anyone wants a higher quality version of this board to test out using for themselves, let me know and I’m happy to provide that!

[allcatsareautistic]

As far as more affordable options go, I used Speech Assistant for several years. You can’t customize it nearly as much as Proloquo, but if you’re just looking for something to use occasionally, during meltdowns for instance, it works pretty well. It is around $10 I’m pretty sure, and it’s text based.

An option for symbol based AAC that I haven’t personally used is Coughdrop. I’ve heard decent things about it. It looks pretty similar to P2G but with slightly fewer options for customization. That one offers a free 60 day trial, and after that you can either buy it outright (for a similar price to P2G I think), or you can get a subscription and pay month by month. I believe that the subscription price is around $8/month but I may be wrong about that.

[allcatsareautistic]

Finally, here’s a cool mushroom fact! There are several species of fungus that act as parasites to other fungus. There are two that are particularly cool because when they take over another mushroom, they can turn a non edible or even a poisonous species into a really good edible one! The two that I know of that do this are lobster mushrooms and aborted entolomas (a.k.a shrimp mushrooms)

Here are some lobster mushrooms I found once! I don’t have a good picture of any shrimp mushrooms to share, but they’re wild looking so you should look those up too.

[allcatsareautistic]

Hi if you have the energy to answer, what app are you using for AAC? I've been wondering if I should try it out because talking is just so difficult sometimes. Feel free to add any fun fact(s) about mushrooms because while they're not my special interest I really enjoy them!

No problem!

I am currently waiting for my waiver to approve a new iPad and cover the app Proloquo2Go for me. This app is $120, so probably not the best option for if you’re just wanting to try out AAC, because it’s a pretty significant financial commitment.

That being said, the Proloquo apps are pretty fantastic and really robust, with lots of options for customizability. Proloquo2Go is the symbol based one and what I am switching to. Proloquo4Text is a text based version and one that I currently have. I found that symbol based options actually work a whole lot better for me, even though I am a strong reader. I prefer the grid layout of symbol based apps, and having those symbols there lets me find the button I want much more quickly.

Here’s a screenshot of Proloquo4Text on my phone. I can get more detailed with some of the specific features that the apps have if anyone is curious! P4T is also $120.

Right now, while I am between apps, I have been creating boards on Boardmaker Online to use. Boardmaker Online has a 60 day free trial and lets you easily create boards with symbols. I created a board based off of the core word interface of Proloquo2Go with an added letter board so I can spell out any words I’m missing. Because this is not an actual app, I just save the boards as images to my old iPad and point to my selections. This method does not give me a voice output and so you have to rely on your communication partner to be able to read your selections, which can be challenging to people who aren’t used to it. Here’s the main board that I’ve been using. If anyone wants a higher quality version of this board to test out using for themselves, let me know and I’m happy to provide that!

[allcatsareautistic]

As far as more affordable options go, I used Speech Assistant for several years. You can’t customize it nearly as much as Proloquo, but if you’re just looking for something to use occasionally, during meltdowns for instance, it works pretty well. It is around $10 I’m pretty sure, and it’s text based.

An option for symbol based AAC that I haven’t personally used is Coughdrop. I’ve heard decent things about it. It looks pretty similar to P2G but with slightly fewer options for customization. That one offers a free 60 day trial, and after that you can either buy it outright (for a similar price to P2G I think), or you can get a subscription and pay month by month. I believe that the subscription price is around $8/month but I may be wrong about that.

[allcatsareautistic]

Hi if you have the energy to answer, what app are you using for AAC? I've been wondering if I should try it out because talking is just so difficult sometimes. Feel free to add any fun fact(s) about mushrooms because while they're not my special interest I really enjoy them!

No problem!

I am currently waiting for my waiver to approve a new iPad and cover the app Proloquo2Go for me. This app is $120, so probably not the best option for if you’re just wanting to try out AAC, because it’s a pretty significant financial commitment.

That being said, the Proloquo apps are pretty fantastic and really robust, with lots of options for customizability. Proloquo2Go is the symbol based one and what I am switching to. Proloquo4Text is a text based version and one that I currently have. I found that symbol based options actually work a whole lot better for me, even though I am a strong reader. I prefer the grid layout of symbol based apps, and having those symbols there lets me find the button I want much more quickly.

Here’s a screenshot of Proloquo4Text on my phone. I can get more detailed with some of the specific features that the apps have if anyone is curious! P4T is also $120.

Right now, while I am between apps, I have been creating boards on Boardmaker Online to use. Boardmaker Online has a 60 day free trial and lets you easily create boards with symbols. I created a board based off of the core word interface of Proloquo2Go with an added letter board so I can spell out any words I’m missing. Because this is not an actual app, I just save the boards as images to my old iPad and point to my selections. This method does not give me a voice output and so you have to rely on your communication partner to be able to read your selections, which can be challenging to people who aren’t used to it. Here’s the main board that I’ve been using. If anyone wants a higher quality version of this board to test out using for themselves, let me know and I’m happy to provide that!

[allcatsareautistic]

Like, I never realized that speech was such an issue for me until I found an alternative that was so much easier. For a handful of years as a kid I was almost entirely nonspeaking but went through a bunch of therapy and got to a place where I was able to use speech well enough to get by. I’ve always had a hard time speaking when my emotions get intense, but figured that I wouldn’t benefit from AAC outside of meltdown situations.

It turns out, though, that I wasn’t realizing all of the different ways that trying to use speech was holding me back. I’ve never been able to keep up with group conversations, for example, just because trying to process all of what everyone is saying didn’t leave me any mental energy to manage to speak at the same time. I also would always end up getting frustrated when people didn’t ask me questions, because answering questions was the only way I was able to express what was on my mind. If my partner didn’t ask me how my day was in just the right way, I wouldn’t be able to tell them, even if I was really excited and wanted to share it with them more than anything. It led to so many meltdowns and meant that I just ended up avoiding socializing just because it was so frustrating. Switching to AAC has made me realize just how much I was missing out on all these years by trying to force myself to use speech.

[allcatsareautistic]

Hi! Quick question, what is AAC?

AAC is alternative and augmented communication. This is what I use to communicate instead of speaking:

[allcatsareautistic]

Since I have started using AAC almost full time:

I can initiate conversations without being prompted

I am able to share stories about my day without worrying about how to bring them up

I can request what I want instead of waiting for someone to offer it to me

I feel more comfortable with doing activities with others, because I know that I can express my own preferences instead of going along with what others want

I can react more quickly to what people say in a conversation. I don’t have to rely just on scripts anymore and can respond to what people say once the conversation starts

I was able to correct someone who misgendered me for the first time in my life

I no longer feel like I need to avoid activities just because of the amount of communication required

My meltdowns are less frequent and less intense

I am able to stand up for myself more easily and tell people when they have done something that upset me

[a-fools-jester]

STIGMA

This is a hot take on this, but Imma say it anyway. 

Stigma isn’t always intentional cruelty or malicious words. Sometimes it’s:

Being treated like a helpless child all the time

Hearing The Caring Neurotypical Voice™ when people talk to you

“Oh you can do that?” in regards to being able to do normal things everyone else can do. 

Not being given the freedom to do what you want out of concern

“(Name) is… different”

Everyone acts so scared to name the disorder like it’s a summon for the devil

Say it. Say autistic. Say schizophrenic. Say bipolar. Say the disorder we have. Say it.

Struggling to keep your head above the water but keeping it in because you’d rather face the suffering alone than have everyone walk on eggshells around you

“I have X disorder, I can’t do this activity right now” “Oh but honey, you shouldn’t put yourself in a box. just think you’re not and it might help you recover. give it a try.”

“I am not broken, let me do it” “Honey, I know it’s sometimes hard to accept but you have X disorder and shouldn’t push yourself. sit this one out.”

Not being given the chance to prove that you can take care of yourself or do things the others can

“Oh have you met that boy/girl from (grade/ place)? He’s also [X Disorder].”

it might “not be good for someone like you”

Having someone tell your story for you. Not being given a voice or having it shushed by people who are neurotypical. 

People looking at you like you’re shattered glass, their eyes filled with pity and sympathy as if you’re a living tragedy, as if you are this thing that they wish they could fix.

They do not ask you if you want to be fixed. They do not consider that this is your life, and although occasionally troubled, this is yours and it’s the only life you’ve had. 

They cannot fathom you ever being happy with your life, but you are. Perhaps not always, but you’ve learned to be content with your life.

Sometimes they push you. But sometimes they also hold you back.

[invisible-goats]

I am a Museum Studies student looking for UK OR EUROPE-BASED AUTISTIC ADULTS to complete an ANONYMOUS survey on their experiences in museums.

The survey closes on 15th June

Please reblog if you don’t qualify so I can get a nice wide sample

Thank you

https://apps.mhs.manchester.ac.uk/surveys//TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=n2K03660H

[probablybadrpgideas]

Mod Paper’s dissertation needs YOU

[uwumars]

hey lets stop only representing stimming as cute, it contributes to the infantilization of autistic people. stimming can be cute but if we are to actualy accept autism, most of the time it should be completely unremarkable and not even worth noticing. my stimming is not a childish behaviour. it is not cute. i am an autistic adult and you will treat me as such.

infantilization is not the same as acceptance.

[gendernewtral]

not to like. be discouraging? but sometimes there are things disabled people can’t do. like wow im super impressed a diabetic climbed el capitan! doesn’t mean i can. doesn’t mean i can work through a bad blood sugar episode, either.

some of us have limits we can’t get through at all, and lots of us have things we absolutely cannot ever do and that doesn’t make us inferior to disabled people who Can do those things.

and just because we can do -something- sometimes, doesn’t mean we can always do it. sometimes we do suddenly lose the ability to do something that we did once, occasionally can do, usually can do. sometimes it’s in our control, but very often it is not. we make mistakes in controlling the things we can and the results of that, the limitations of that, are not any less valid than the things we can’t ever control.

we are not our limitations, but it’s shitty to ignore them. it’s even shittier to call us unproductive, or useless, or goddamn worthless because of them.

[defectivegembrain]

“When an autistic teen without a standard means of expressive communication suddenly sits down and refuses to do something he’s done day after day, this is self-advocacy … When an autistic person who has been told both overtly and otherwise that she has no future and no personhood reacts by attempting in any way possible to attack the place in which she’s been imprisoned and the people who keep her there, this is self-advocacy … When people generally said to be incapable of communication find ways of making clear what they do and don’t want through means other than words, this is self-advocacy”

— Mel Baggs (via mindingmyownbrain)

[allcatsareautistic]

I get so so frustrated at my brain sometimes. I’ve been awake for five hours and I’ve had three meltdowns already. I wish I could do things by myself more and not need so much help all the time.

Lately I’ve been melting down over everything, like my toast getting too dark or hearing the tornado sirens being tested. This week has just been so so so hard. I thought I would feel better once I went back to work but it’s just made everything so much more difficult.

[allcatsareautistic]

AAC Tumblr: can you show me how you organize your board? I’m switching apps and want to set mine up in a better way.