Smashing Stigma - Autism Acceptance

A blog dedicated to autism acceptance led by an autistic adult. This blog conducts its own social research into autism as a way to counteract some of the harmful research out there. All research is conducted adhering to basic ethical standards and any surveys are sent using a variety of different methods. We use email, tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, and autism support groups for autistic adults and their carers. No money is made from our research.

[somniae-deactivated20210626]

If you don’t have means to a therapist or mental health professional

Check out therapistaid.com. There’s worksheets there that you can download for free.

Of course it would be a lot more beneficial if you have a therapist to help you through it but not everyone has access to one.

It’s a free site where you can have free downloads of worksheets on many things.

If there’s something there that you think would be helpful, print it out and complete the worksheet on your own.

It’s hard to be accountable for yourself but at least there’s a way for you to have some insight and work on yourself.

[pwhlphilly]

Also if you use these in conjunction with the app Wysa

[gunpowder-tea]

therapistaid is great, i get resources from there to use with my clients. here are some others

https://psychologytools.com/

https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/

https://www.actmindfully.com.au/free_resources_worksheets,_handouts_and_book_chapters

https://www.anxietybc.com/

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/consumers.cfm

http://www.dbtselfhelp.com/

[thegreyacefromspace]

Thank you.

[millieisokay]

ANNE HEGERTY = AUTISTIC QUEEN 👑

*in response to people in “I’m a celebrity get me out of here” recieving care packages from home*

“I mean everyone seemed to be in tears, but I don’t know, I suppose they were good tears? I’m autistic I don’t know about this stuff.”

[inkskrivener]

studying with adhd!! ✨🌈

before we begin: i have mostly hyperactive type adhd & these tips have worked for me! i cant promise they will 100% work for u & maybe they will work even if u dont have adhd. but again, i went from a c-student to an a-student with these, so if you think they sound helpful, give them a shot :-)

🍁 make a checklist of what you need to study before anything else. as you gather your materials, refer back to this list. once you have everything on the list, double check: is there anything else you need? check again. keep your supplies within reach

 🍁 try to have a large study space so you can spread out! try the floor, a kitchen counter, or even your bed. this way, even if you’re messy, you can just shove what you don’t need to the side because…

 🍁 only keep what youre currently working on in front of you. people with adhd need simplicity to minimize extra steps in their thought process (extra steps lead to distractions, forgetfulness, and potentially executive dysfunction)

 🍁 don’t force yourself into pomodoro cycles - work in “shifts” while taking breaks and using ur hyperfocusing powers :-) working in shifts means that the minute you get bored of working on one assignment, shift to another. when you get bored of that one, shift back to the first. if you get overwhelmed or suddenly unbelievably unmotivated, take a break to breathe - when you get bored of breathing, back to work! do ur best not to burn urself out by working too long, but if you feel yourself hyperfocusing, don’t break your focus by forcing yourself to stop

 🍁 prioritize! this is a huge problem for us - we try to do 30 things and finish 1. it’s incredibly frustrating to feel like you are working harder than anyone but getting the lowest results. the secret is prioritization (which goes along with simplicity)! write down three things you have to get done. do those. do you have extra time? pick two more things to do. done? finish your study session with one last, low-priority and low-stress task

 🍁 rubber bands, bracelets, erasers, rubix cubes, and stress balls are my favorite things to fidget with when i dont have my spinner. i personally can’t concentrate in chairs that spin, but walking around while reading my notes aloud helps me. 

 🍁 if you really really cannot physically bring yourself to do homework, watch a tv show that youve watched a million times before as you do it. 

🍁 take interactive notes! if you take messy notes with a lot of gaps at school and rewriting them isnt an option for whatever reason: write your messy lecture notes on the left half of the page. at home, highlight main ideas from the left side. on the right half, fill in any blocks of information you missed using youtube/textbook/other resources. avoid extensive colorcoding because…

 🍁 colorcode when youre studying for your exams! make a box next to each main topic and check off when you are done with it. highlight questions/whatever you wish as you read through your notes to stop passive learning. 

 🍁 take it easy on yourself! adhd isn’t a curse, but it does make it difficult to do a lot of things that school requires to do “well.” sometimes you won’t be able to understand information as quickly, or you’ll forget to turn in your homework. you are doing your best, and that can be just passing a class or finishing one worksheet. youre doing great & you will succeed! 

[awesomlyautistic]

Fixed it. 

[butterflyinthewell]

[Animated gif of the 13th Doctor saying, “…is a BIG. BLUE. CHEAT.”]

Double fixed it.

[mellifexfarm]

secret..,.,,.,

[moonweaver69]

LETS SEE WHAT DWELLS IN THE DEPTHS OF MY CHICKEN!

[iwillnotdieamonster]

[butterflyinthewell]

A busker plays music for a blind autistic girl sitting in a wheelchair. She’s being allowed to stim (flapping and rubbing her shirt) and respond to the music her own natural way. The busker places her hand on the guitar to let her see what is creating the music, and she smiles as he sings to her. They made a connection. That is autism acceptance. Take note. Many autistic people will open up to you like a flower if you gently connect with them in ways that work for them instead of forcing them to connect with you in ways that only work for you. I hope that sweet kid grows up to be a musician or artist! :)

[klubbhead]

[smashingstigma-blog]

Autistic adult answers Google’s most asked questions about autism. Credit - Millie Gregg (instagram @Milliejjgregg )and tumblr @millieisokay

[inkysparrow]

Someone: moves one of my belongings

Me: that’s okay, I’ll just put it ba-

My autistic ass: get really upset for no reason.

Me: it’s really fi-

My autistic ass: GET UPSET FOR NO RE A S O N

[butterflyinthewell]

Truly loving parents do not humiliate or exploit their disabled children for personal gain.

[nomorepuzzleprofits]

We need to stop seeing autism as some sort of one-dimensional sliding scale. Autism is not a thermometer. It’s not a rating that is “more” or “less”. High-functioning and Low-functioning do not exist in the real world.

Autism is a collection of symptoms and behaviours. Like a sundae bar. You choose your toppings that fit you.

Are you a bipolar extravert that loves socialising, is good at math and bad at remembering time? That’s ONE way to be autistic!

Are you a socially anxious autistic who has meltdowns when your clothes don’t feel right but a genius knowledge of music theory and is great at scheduling? That’s another way to be autistic!

Notice how both of those examples has strengths and weaknesses? Is one more “employable” or “high-functioning” than the other?

There is no one-size-fits-all category or rating for autism.

[2ndhalfoflife-deactivated201712]

Though I’d often heard the phrase “autism spectrum” I didn’t really understand it. This post really helps.

[neurodiversitysci]

Good analogy.

[snakedance]

This is the best analogy I’ve yet encountered because it accounts for the days when I get more of one topping than I do on other days, and sometimes get a topping dumped all at once.

[autistickitten]

THIS, this is a post I reference ALL THE TIME but I’ve spent years never being able to find it again! Very happy to see it still making rounds.

-Brother Cat

[aspie-os]

[butterflyinthewell]

Text on image: [When neurotypical people try to get the behavior they want from autistic people, it’s called “doing therapy.” When autistic people try to get the behavior they want from neurotypical people, it’s called “being manipulative.”] So true…

[butterflyinthewell]

Dear Autism Speaks...

Shut up.

[smashingstigma-blog]

Classy! I like it :')

[smashingstigma-blog]

Results day

I got an A !!!! My first A in an exam ever.

I went into results day hoping for a C but expected a D. And here we are.

[slothgoth]

Reblog if ur autistic and people using the phrase ‘suffering from autism’ causes u to suffer

[smashingstigma-blog]

The only thing I'm suffering from is your bad attitude lol

[butterflyinthewell]

Lots of links that show why Autism Speaks is harmful.

* * * TW: Some links may contain material about Lovaas ABA, the Judge Rotenberg Center and the abuse / murder of autistic people. * * *

https://strangerdarkerbetter.com/2016/03/26/whats-wrong-with-autism-speaks-a-collection-of-resources/

http://goldenheartedrose.tumblr.com/post/89338501188/autism-speaks-masterpost-new-updated-4116

https://thecaffeinatedautistic.wordpress.com/2017/04/04/autism-speaks-still-does-not-speak-for-me/

http://www.emilywillinghamphd.com/2014/12/on-autism-speaks-suzanne-wright.html

https://autismwomensnetwork.org/is-autism-speaks-a-hate-group/

https://anubisxox.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/why-do-people-dislike-autism-speaks.html

https://www.madinamerica.com/2017/05/smash-blue-lights-autism-speaks-danger-self-others/

https://michellesuttonwrites.com/2016/03/29/beaware/

https://michellesuttonwrites.com/2017/03/31/blue-lights/

http://miscellanynews.org/2016/04/06/opinions/autism-speaks-diminishes-lived-experience/

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/autism-speaks-does-not-deserve-your-support

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/7-reasons-not-support-autism-speaks

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/autism-speaks-but-we-are-not-listening

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/why-autism-speaks-doesnt-speak-for-me

https://www.thinkinclusive.us/why-autism-speaks-hurts-us/

http://www.post-gazette.com/Op-Ed/2013/04/07/They-want-us-to-die-You-wouldn-t-believe-how-many-people-hate-those-of-us-with-autism/stories/201304070220

https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/issue-14-asd-options-living-independently/

https://emmashopebook.com/category/autism-speaks/

http://thisoutnumberedmama.com/do-not-light-it-up-blue/

http://elitedaily.com/life/autism-speaks-fails-community/1445981/

https://www.uloop.com/news/view.php/171327/Why-You-Shouldnt-Support-Autism-Speaks

https://howautisticfeels.wordpress.com/2015/07/13/autism-speaks-hate-speech-and-eugenics/

http://neurocosmopolitanism.com/april-autism-and-allies/

http://www.boycottautismspeaks.com/why-boycott-1.html

http://tiny.cc/AwarenessVsAcceptance

Winning? Is that what you think it’s about? I’m not trying to win. I’m not doing this because I want to beat someone, or because I hate someone, or because, because I want to blame someone. It’s not because it’s fun and God knows it’s not because it’s easy. It’s not even because it works, because it hardly ever does. 

I do what I do, because it’s right! Because it’s decent! And above all, it’s kind. It’s just that. Just kind. 

If I run away today, good people will die. If I stand and fight, some of them might live. Maybe not many, maybe not for long. Hey, you know, maybe there’s no point in any of this at all, but it’s the best I can do, so I’m going to do it. 

–the 12th Doctor

[alyzu]

Hello, autistic friends!

My daughter is 13 and last month she started having seizures. She’s had 3 so far, and will be getting an MRI and EEG next week, as well as seeing a neurologist. She’s non-verbal. I was just wondering if anyone here also has seizures, and if you wouldn’t mind talking about your experiences. Please feel free to message me, if you’d prefer to keep it private.

[butterflyinthewell]

Signal boosting! Any followers who are autistic and also have a seizure disorder(epilepsy, PNES, etc), could you pop by and talk to this person?

[smashingstigma-blog]

Can anyone help here?

[smashingstigma-blog]

Who else has had a similar encounter?

Autism speaks supporter: "Autism speaks is so good." "That is so offensive, they are people with autism." "I work with children with autism I KNOW what I'm talking about." "My sisters friends brother in laws aunties godchild has autism so I get it." "Autism speaks lets people with autism speak." ACTUAL AUTISTIC PERSON: "Actually..." Autism speaks supporter: *ableism babbling* "You probably don't even have autism." "You need access to behavioural support." "You don't know what you're talking about." *dehumanising conversation.* (If you support autism speaks, listen to actual autistic people. It hurts when you think you are doing a good thing and someone says you maybe aren't doing the best. People don't like being told they aren't supporting properly when they think they are, honestly I don't blame you because logically thinking why would leading global charities be harmful to the people they claim to support? It's stupid! But they are so just listen to us.)