#aspie-rations

[autiebiographical]

REBLOG. DO NOT REPOST

April 2nd is Autism Awareness Day. People are aware of autism now, some of them even accept it, but how many actually appreciate it? So many people see autism appreciation as “this science/acting/musical genius has added so much to society! We must appreciate them!” Okay, but what about those of us whose talents aren't as easily seen, or marketable? Those who aren't in the spotlight?

We should appreciate the autistic people we know in our day to day life. Every autistic person is awesome, and it's not in spite of our autism, but because of our autism. It's because I'm autistic that I am who I am. If someone appreciates me I would want them to also appreciate my autism because it's part of what makes me me.

To reach autism appreciation it's going to be a fight. We're going to have to keep climbing. There are so many who want to drag us down. They see us as different and in need of fixing. They see having an autistic child as something to be mourned instead of celebrated. We need to celebrate. We need to drown out their cries of sadness with our cheers of joy.

We are autistic, and we will never stop climbing!

[autiebiographical]

Why remember things like "directions to the nearest post office" when I can remember things like "Sailor Pluto's least favourite food"! It's eggplant. I also have no idea where the nearest post office is.

[autiebiographical]

"Autistic" shouldn't be an insult. There are people I've suspected to be autistic but I'm too afraid to tell them because they may be insulted since "autistic" has a long history of being an insult. Also because we've been conditioned into believing that autism is something to be ashamed of.

[autiebiographical]

As tiring as social interactions can be I find them to be fun, provided I'm with the right people. I often find myself excited at the prospect of spending time with good friends, although usually I still will need time to mental prepare before hand.

[autiebiographical]

For some reason parents seem to think that posting videos of their autistic child having a meltdown is okay! It's not! Not only are they sharing a video of their child in a very vulnerable state, they're also helping push a narrative that autism is something to be feared. It may push parents to inflict their child with harmful autism "cures".

A petition was created by Sarah Turner, an autism advocate, to have these videos banned off of YouTube. If you wish to sign then here is the link:

https://www.change.org/p/youtube-ban-videos-of-children-s-autism-meltdowns-on-youtube?utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=custom_url&recruited_by_id=0cd8ccf0-1142-11ea-bdb9-11b1bfd1d9b2

[autiebiographical]

It's not uncommon for me to either trip over my words, forget a word, or mess words up. Even when I'm relaxed and happy this still happens. It can be really frustrating, and embarrassing, but definitely more so when someone reacts angrily, or mockingly.

[autiebiographical]

Never, and I mean NEVER tell someone "we need to talk" without giving proper context. "We need to talk" means something's gone wrong. Seriously, having someone say "we need to talk" to me fills me with so much dread and anxiety. Please don't do it!

[autiebiographical]

I can get so easily overwhelmed through my sense of touch, so some days I just can't stand being touched because I'm already on the verge of overstimulation thanks to my clothes and hair. It why I wear loose clothing, and often keep my hair up.