Autistic Interpretations

Jess is autistic and blind, and full of joy and happiness that she easily spreads to those around her.

[autismafterschool]

Our Experience with Disability Access at Disney - Autistic Interpretations

Autistic & Blind - Our experience with Disney’s Disability Access Service that allows guests with disabilities to receive a return time fo

[autismafterschool]

New blog post. Link ⬆️ Jess and I – we’re peas. All things considered, Jess adjusts fairly well when we travel. This time though, we definitely reached that point of being gone too many days. Was it because of the combination of autism & vacation or was it just time for us to go home in general? It has been a long time since we were on a vacation that extended. Our 6th day of Disney was our 7th day of being gone from home. To read more about our trip and see video of Jess on rides, follow link in bio. . . . #autisticadult #autismlife #autismvacation #corticalvisualimpairment #corticalblindness #blindlife #blindvacation #thrillrides #magickingdom #disneyworld #splashmountain #sevendwarvesminetrain #peoplemover #mobility #sightedguide #wheelchair #mommyblogger #momblog #blogging #bloggermom #autismblog #multipledisabilities #developmentaldisabilities #accessibility #disabilityaccess #autoimmunemom #teenmomforlife (at Disney's Magic Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoXu9UknU17/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1r1z6v23njq30

[autismafterschool]

Then, I Can Rest - Autistic Interpretations

Life seems like one long string of thoughts that go something like, “Once I get past ___, then it’ll be easier. Then, I can rest.” I am learning there will always be one more thing before it's time to rest. If I keep waiting to write a new blog until after I'm rested, it'll never happen.

Have you forgotten what it feels like to be rested? I always have my sights set on getting some rest in the near future, right after I get past this next thing. I've been tired for so many years I don't remember ever not being tired. Like so many others, tiredness is a way of life.

[autismafterschool]

I intended for this to be a serious video. However, as I kept getting tongue-tied, I kinda got the giggles. . It is a serious topic, though. One that is sometimes hard to be open with. Not because I don’t wanna talk about it or because it’s hard for me to talk about. It is because I want to protect those around me from worry, even though, they all know. But here goes… . I live with depression . and have as long as I can remember. I’m going to start talking about it more. It’s time. . #depression #livingwithdepression #ilikemybubble #ilikemyshell #depressionlife #specialneedsmom #autismmom #cvimom #hydromom #ntmom #hypothyroidmom

[autismafterschool]

*New Post - I was beyond thrilled to get a text today from a Captain Vaughn of the Chattanooga Police Department letting me know their TAKE ME HOME Chattanooga program was launched today. Honestly, it gave me cold chills and nearly made me cry. This is such an important thing, and since we have experienced episodes of Jessica wandering, this really touched me. So Thankful! ⬆️👆🏻Link up there. . . . #takemehomechattanooga #tmhchattanooga #cpd #chattanoogapolicedepartment #autismawareness #autismwandering #wandering #autismsafety #autisticadult #specialneedsadults #corticalblindness #cvi #hydrocephalus #seizuredisorder #developmentaldisability

[autismafterschool]

New Blog Post with Video - Negative Expressive Communication - link in bio. The reason I wanted to share a video like this is because I think it’s a good example of how I try to work through situations with Jess that could otherwise lead to a meltdown. Also, I think this video demonstrates how Jess can emotionally struggle even with an event that she’s looking forward to, work through the emotions, and then end up enjoying the event. . . #expressivecommunication #communicationdisorder #autisticadult #autism #specialneedslife #partyproblems #sitinthefront #travelpreferences #corticalblindness #corticalvisionimpairment #cvi #hydrocephalus #vpshunt #receptivelanguage #negativenancy

[autismafterschool]

A Dog Named Whiskey - Autistic Interpretations

Where her family lives, the dog named Whiskey is very well-known as the swimming dog, and people always stop and admire her when she walks along with her frisbee in her mouth! She has a very loud bark and loves to swim in the sea and catch frisbees! Her favourite trick is to give a high-five.

[autismafterschool]

(via Supported Independence - Identifying Our Path) 

Supported Independence – Independently living at home and in the community through formal (paid) and informal (family, neighbors, friends) support and assistance with personal and domestic care.

My goal is to have enough caregiver supports in place so that I can occasionally plan to go out-of-town for work or recreation without having to impose on family for extra coverage.

[autismafterschool]

The Visual Mystery of Jessica’s CVI - Autistic Interpretations

What exactly Jess is able to see is a visual mystery that remains almost 30 years after her diagnosis of CVI. Jess cannot tell us what she can see.

Imagine how weird it would be if your blind child walked up and asked you, "Why aren't you wearing your glasses?" The combination of autism and cortical vision impairment makes Jess such a complex person. What she can and cannot see has always been a mystery. Her communication difficulties prevent her from being able to explain it to us. We know some specific things she can see, we are not sure what all she can't see, and every now and then she will see something that we would never have thought she could see. #corticalblindness #corticalvisionimpairment #visualmystery #functionalvision #autism #adultautism #brainct #ctbrain #circa1990s #congenital #birthdefect #hydrocephalus

[autismafterschool]

Personally for me, myself and I, medication is something I have tried to avoid when possible. I admit - that resistance carried over into Jessica's world. Regrets? Maybe. What if I had found the right combo of medication sooner? Link in Bio - http://thetransitionaltruth.com/medication/ #autismandmedication #autisticinterpretations #seizuremedication #anxietymedication

[autismafterschool]

DO YOU HEAR ME? I Am Tired and Look For The Light at the End of the Tunnel - New Blog Post - Link in Bio - #reallytired #recovering #discouraged #struggles #caregiving #singleparent #balancingontheedgeofpoverty #autoimmunedisease #thyroid #hashimotosthyroiditis #bitterness #alone #crybaby #searchingforstrength #autismlife #autismmom #nofilterneeded #bandw #blackandwhite @joy_of_autism @findingcoopersvoice

[autismafterschool]

Jessica's #votm - It's Saturday and she wants to make big plans tonight. Jess loves meeting new people. As part of an effort to integrate her into the community, I used take her to local restaurants to make new friends and sit and chat. She loved it. … #makebigplans #makenewfriends #communityoutings #chattanoogatn #autism #cvi

[autismafterschool]

Jessica's #votm It's nursing day once again. This is the most special thing in the world for her! Nursing the most, but also #Granny #auntsue Donna #chickenbiscuit and #hashbrowns all in one day!

[autismafterschool]

This is how Jess holds her phone when she is expecting a call and we on are the go. Up in the air like that too - the whole time driving in the car for a breakfast run last weekend, even though we were 30 minutes ahead of the call....... #autism #lifeline #expectingacall #flipphone #onthego #mcdsbreakfast #adultautism #autisticadult #cvi #corticalblindness #specialneedsmom #autismmom

[autismafterschool]

This is me - usually behind the camera to capture & share Autistic Interpretations. It's how Jess expresses herself and how I interpret Jess to the world. I used to be convinced that I was standing alone in this world of lower-functioning autism & multiple disabilities. Now I know that's not true. *** New Blog Post *** Link in Bio. #youaremypeople #behindthecamera #autisticinterpretations #bornold #blogging #autism #lowfunctioningautism #lowerfunctioningautism #adultautism #autisticadult #autismmom #specialneedsmom #corticalblindness #visualimpairment #cvi

[autismafterschool]

"March 16th" Video of the 8 minute session on Facebook page @autisticinterpretations -- #acrylicpainting #acryliconcanvas #adultautism #cvi #visionimpairment #blindartist #autisticadult #blue #black #autismawareness #autismart #arttherapy #hobbyartist

[autismafterschool]

Jess - gifted with spreading joy. Even though her needs keep me busy, wear me down, and control my life, she has blessed me with tremendous joy throughout her life. Find her story at autisticinterpretations.com - Link in Bio. #joy #spreadingjoy #happiness #love #unconditional #immeasurable #caring #unexpected #autism #cvi #adultautism #autisticadult #visionimpairment #specialneeds #specialneedsmom #autismmom