Photo description: white 1980s era stuffed dog peeking out of a red backpack with blue trim. I'd had my stuffed dog for as long as I could remember. He was my constant companion nearly everywhere I went. He comforted me when I was upset and slept with me every single night. He was my very … Continue reading Flashback Friday – My Lost Stuffed Dog
Post-diagnosis
Reasonable Accommodations?
Rhi at Autnot recently wrote a wonderful post about the need for accessibility of autism services. Along with the parts about being terrible at contacting people and balancing energy, these sentences in particular resonated with me and made me want to cry because I felt so understood and that's been such a rare feeling for me throughout … Continue reading Reasonable Accommodations?
Changing Focus for NaNoWriMo
It's almost November, which means that it's about time for me to start really focusing on writing the story that came to my mind a few weeks ago for National Novel Writing Month. I've been participating in NaNoWriMo since 2008 and have won every year other than the year when I had just moved, was … Continue reading Changing Focus for NaNoWriMo
Going to the Dentist
I had a dentist appointment last week at which I got a temporary crown and cleaning. My jaw felt like someone had punched me for the first 2-3 days afterwards. The visit started off poorly from the beginning, with me forgetting to bring money and having to go back home for it. So, instead of … Continue reading Going to the Dentist
Body Language – When the Knowledge Doesn’t Transfer
Sometimes I say, rather hyperbolically, that I didn't know about non-verbal communication until I was nearly 29 years old. It's a nice sound-bite, but like most nice sound-bites, it's not strictly true. I did know about some types of non-verbal communication before then. I knew that shrugging meant "I don't know." I knew that nodding meant … Continue reading Body Language – When the Knowledge Doesn’t Transfer
Grieving
Content warning - death (both people and pets), grieving, depression; passing mention (no details) of being spanked/hit as a child This year, 2016, has been a particularly rough one for many people. More than a few beloved celebrities have died and many folks I know, including myself, have lost loved ones who were much closer … Continue reading Grieving
Negative Memories and Confusion
So, I mentioned in my previous post, that it's easier for me to access my positive memories than my negative memories. I've spent some time since writing that (it was scheduled several days ahead of publishing, this post is not) in thinking about why that might be and I believe the answer partially lies in … Continue reading Negative Memories and Confusion
Disclaimers
Image description: Photo of Spock on the bridge of the Enterprise with the quote, "If I seem insensitive to what you're going through, Captain, understand: it's the way I am." ~Spock, Star Trek "The Enemy Within" As I was reminded by a good friend the other day, disclaimers can be a powerful way to address misconceptions and difficulties … Continue reading Disclaimers
I am not a Body Hair Activist
The title might seem to be a strange thing to declare, but I honestly thought I was a pro-body hair activist for a while. I just happened to be an odd body hair activist who didn't like to show off my body hair because I didn't want to stand out as being much more unusual … Continue reading I am not a Body Hair Activist
In Which I First Show Confidence and Then Not
Two nights after my last blogged journal entry from 4+ years ago, I wrote this: So, the night before last I had a bit of a breakdown. I just cried and cried and talked... I can’t remember half of what I talked about. I should’ve written it down sooner. I have a really hard time remembering … Continue reading In Which I First Show Confidence and Then Not
Mamautistic 