Intro Post
(refer to OP here as Spirit or Void— or, if you want to/are feeling silly, Dr. Starship)
This breaks down my background, potential biases, & identities, followed by a list of encouraged interactions, then a list of interactions that will get you deleted &/or blocked. I also have a section for suggested reads, which I will add to as needed (requests or personal interest). It currently has one book.
Readmore line so you can decide whether to proceed.
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The only thing I’ll have up here is tags:
# from-my-notes are quotes or comments I wrote down while taking notes on readings, or (rarely) during lecture.
# Dr. R # Dr. W (& others) means this is a quote from a professor, with their last-name initial. I won’t share full names.
“# adolescent-development” & similar indicates which class this was from
# from-our-readings involves a quote or term or concept that was in a reading (likely a research paper) that we wanna talk about/expand on
# future-research-ideas is for things I want to research in the future
(I’ll add more if needed)
University Approach
I won’t share the name of my university or my exact city for safety/privacy reasons, but here are the details I can share.
Country: United States (unfortunately*)
(^ not because I “hate the US” but because the current & historical state across this country has been unstable &, understatement, problematic. This is to say the laws & policies suck, not that the people do.)
General Geography (origin & attending school in): Pacific NW (includes Idaho (ID), Oregon (OR), & Washington (WA))
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Degree Plan: Human Development major & Psychology minor (may return to major later, we’ll see) - overly simplified, my major is “¿how do people work?”
Post-Undergrad Plans: work until a bit more financially steady, then grad school as a researcher (likely out of the USA)
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Current Standing: junior credit standing, but finishing 5th semester
↑ Explanation: I took 17/18/19 credits for my first 3 semesters (2018-2020), putting me ahead credit-wise (for reference: 12 is full-time, 15 is recommended max). I then got a concussion (unrelated/external trauma situation) that rendered me unable to read enough to continue & dropped out. I returned in fall of 2024, finally able to read again, but permanently impaired/disabled (vertigo/mini seizures; cane bound). I am currently finishing spring of 2025.
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Family Educational Background: parents both had bachelor's degrees by the time I began attending, but have outdated & often unhelpful advice (especially across economic/financial changes)
(^ unhelpful as in it was inaccurate &/or it was outright harmful/held me back)
Family Socioeconomic Background: working poor until I was 22, then barely lower middle class (of course when I moved out)
(^ this was with 2 working parents, 1 older sibling)
Current Socioeconomic Status: Lower class (underclass), & been so entire time in higher ed
💸💵
Personal Perspective/Background
Body’s Age: 25 years old (11/19/1999)
Name Options: Void or Spirit
(Silly) Nickname Option: Dr Starship*
(* based on my legal name, which I chose because it’s one of “the fastest spaceships to ever spaceship” (my exact search terms, for a story, at 4a); using Dr. because I will be pursuing a PhD as soon as I can & it would be validating to see it now ☺)
Skin Tone: white-passing
(^ with Puerto Rican on mom’s side & potential Nez Perce ancestry on dad’s side; will investigate later)
👫👬👭
Sexual/Romantic Orientation: polyam, queer (t4t lean)
🧚♂️⚧️
Current Gender Identity: Genderqueer, abstractly/creatively nonbinary, gender defiant
Current Gender Expression: androgynous or feminine
Pronouns: he/they, but there are others I’m open to. she/it are the only firm “never use”, though I personally don’t identify with food/animal based neopronouns
Transition Stuff: May 2nd will be 2 years on testosterone; top surgery consultation will be April 4th
(↑ this is not to say these are mandatory, but my medical transition informs how people treat me & thus how I see & interact with the world)
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Neurodivergence (acquired): D.I.D., Complex PTSD, Bipolar, traumatic brain injuries x2 (separate occasions, years apart)
Neurodivergence (born into): autistic, ADHD, synesthesia, dyscalculia
Mental Health Management: 5± years of therapy, with meds for bipolar & ADHD since January 2024 (along with diagnoses)
Native Languages: English & español
(^ my Spanish/español is limited in practice right now, a little “rusty”, but I’m open to try if anyone wants to engage en español ☺)
Languages In Progress / Attained Later (Rusty/Limited): (1-2) French (français), (2-3) Italian*, (3) German*, (3) Russian, (3) Irish Gaelic, (3) Greek
* began learning to write dialogue in stories, but started actively learning
↑ number range to indicate current memory/ability: (1) = daily speaking/listening use plausible (rusty); (2) = understand better than speak; (3) = bits & pieces/barely starting
Desire To Learn (Languages): (everything honestly, but—) ASL, Japanese, Hebrew, & more of above
☮️
Raised Religion/Faith: pagan umbrella, atheistic spiritual/animistic (oversimplified for brevity), with a Manifestation Of Belief approach
Chosen Faith: polytheistic, animistic (oversimplified), with a Manifestation Of Belief approach
Please note that everyone is biased in some way; we are always influenced by our experiences of people & the environment around us. This (+ education section) is intended to openly disclose my biases, not to invalidate my opinions. I am open to discussing speculations & whatnot with people whose experiences & perspectives are different.
Encouraged Interactions
1) ¡Questions! Questions on anything shared here, or on concepts/theories you’re interested in, or anything social science-y are welcome.
There are no “stupid” questions; if you are asking, you don’t know the answer (or want a new perspective), and that is a good thing. I will leave anon asks available for anyone who feels embarrassed or ashamed that they need to ask, but please know I will not judge you for asking questions. This includes replies or asks to clarify a post.
2) ¡Requests for advice! (see number 2 below for caveats/clarifiers)
I am limited in my capacity to mediate conflict, but I can hold space for your emotions & guide your learning process. I may have (or be able to find via our databases) the words or phrases to help you articulate your needs or experiences. I can’t guarantee an outcome, but I’m open to try.
3) ¡Requests for definitions!
I will gladly define uncommon words or words you want to know, and I can attempt to synthesize theories or concepts I understand or to explain what a particular study was about.
If you want a longer explanation, let me know, otherwise definition specific requests will be as brief as possible (however possible by request).
4) ¡Requests for sources/references!
(This includes when you are skeptical of information shared; I won’t be offended by a request for further information.)
I will gladly share the research papers & studies I am referring to, though theories will have many. If there is already research (some of this will be curiosity to pursue in grad school), to the best of my ability, I am not going to gatekeep information. I will be limited if something is on a database that costs money (my school pays for access to some of those), but if I have a PDF download I can share that, & if it’s online I can share the site/DOI link, & if it’s in print (book/journal) I can direct you to it.
Most of the time I can share a full APA citation that gives you enough info to seek the sources & confirm the information, but can’t guarantee there will always be a free option (I will offer if I have one).
Recommended Reads*
(* if reading texts or books is accessible to you, or if an audiobook exists. I know Spotify has some of these, & Amazon might, but hopefully there are even better places to find these. I’ll include a summary of what it’s about/why I recommend it.)
Neuroqueer Heresies (Nick Walker, she/her) - unpacking “normal”/“default” vs “abnormal”/“other”, deconstructing moral judgements on complex/diverse & deviant minds, embodying our lived experiences. Some definitions are a little limited (e.g. I think “stimming” should be expanded) but ¡overall it’s a good read!
Rules Of Conduct (limits, dignity)
1) Hate will be blocked. I don’t have the emotional capacity to focus on school and engage with hate.
This doesn’t mean I won’t engage with potentially-bigoted questions, but active hate will be blocked.
2) As far as requests for advice, I am not a licensed mental health professional. I can’t give professional advice, but may be able to tell you when it’s appropriate to seek professional advice. I can give personal advice & subjective interpretations of class content, but I am a whole person with feelings & trauma that may be factually incorrect (and, of course, research is constantly adapting).
Please do not take my advice as professional, objective or perfect/infallible.
3) Very important: Do not correct my language or grammar. I am having fun with language; it’s a form of play.
(You can ask for definitions; see above.)
If something isn’t spelt according to the dictionary (or I’m using “u” in a word like neighbour), I am almost always doing so on purpose. If something uses “baby” language, I am simply letting myself sound/be silly. I am not attempting to “sound academic” all the time.
This space is for me to process however I need to, & if you don’t vibe with me that’s okay. Your emotions are always valid, even though not all conclusions from those feelings will be. If you feel the need, if we don’t vibe, block me & know I hold no malice against you for doing so.
That said, I will delete &/or block any interaction that aims only to correct me. This is potentially educational for others, but overall still a personal blog, and I want to have fun with it.
This does not include informing me of harmful terms, though we may disagree on some queer/nd/otherwise personal (to my identity/life) terms & in that case you’re welcome to block this blog if you need to remove yourself from a space where that term will be used. Otherwise I will adjust my language as needed to chip away at the “master’s house” (oppressive power structures).
Less Brevity: Intentions Here
(If you made it this far, ¡awesome & welcome! This will be actual sentences & paragraphs, not just lists.)
¡Hi! I am an autistic person who is passionate about other people (nonautistic & autistic alike). Understanding how people develop & generally “function” is my favourite thing.
I made this blog because I want somewhere to write out my verbal (written)* processing, and I might as well do it somewhere that could benefit others. Not everyone can afford the time, money, mental effort, etc. that it takes to go to and graduate from college/university, but everyone deserves access to information & education—especially when my passion, social sciences, is so important for people to build secure relationships & effectively communicate with one another.
(* verbal, but not vocal; verbalizing as in translating brain into external communication)
I am currently in the process of self-discovery (identity moratorium), healing trauma, & deconstructing the pathology paradigm (inherently entwined with colonialism, capitalism, etc.). You’re welcome to join me as I share what I’m processing, revise and revisit, and grow as a person.
Also, I want to acknowledge that basically everyone, especially in the USA, is traumatized to some degree. We are all performing “normal”, whatever we were taught that is, & that concept may be more or less disabling (as opposed to enabling) our safety & belongingness in our communities. And in that, we all deserve love, acceptance, & the change required for those. That includes “bigots” (people who were taught dangerous &/or harmful information).
We can’t hate ourselves into a version we love. We can’t hate eachother into a version we love. Radical acceptance & love are required.
Survival brain is the opposite of learning brain; we are least receptive when we are afraid or in pain. We don’t learn when we feel threatened or excluded, we learn when someone is willing to teach & embrace that process.
I am not perfect by any means, but (to the best of my sentient & sensitive capacity) I am willing to teach & embrace that process. I am willing to take in uncomfortable topics or phrasings & approach with an open mind.
I understand how intimidating it can be to approach change & new knowledge, especially when people are telling you your effort won’t be enough. I want to hold compassion for that process.
(This does require others meet me halfway; you can lead a horse to water but can’t show them how to drink.)
My hope overall is that I process what I’m learning more thoroughly and can express my joy, and at least one person learns something helpful &/or healing.
I would like to (as my reframe of the saying goes) feed two birds with one hand.
It’s okay if I end up speaking into the void. But whether you prefer to silently lurk or to pour questions & inspiration into my askbox, if this content helps you in any way, I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of your journey.
With that said, we’re on a steady footing to begin.
¡Stay awhile, get cozy here!— and when you leave, may the magic of this world never fail to find its way to you (or may you create your own). ☺💜
~Nico (Spirit co)











