July, August & September Finds & Insights

I've been rather absent from the scene over the last few months, due to the projects I've been working on. I finished putting together my photography website this summer. It required putting aside other projects, such as this blog. Shameless plug:

www.trickyfishphotography.com

In addition, I've been putting together a Patreon page, to help me keep up with my other projects and better engage with my audiences. It's launching today, and I'll be doing a post about it here soon.

Between the above, a family vacation, and some other projects and adventures, I've been busy, all spoons used before I could even think about doing autism research, much less autism reflection. So, despite this being three months' worth of finds, it's a bit...*ahem*....sparse this month.

Articles/Sites/Blogs

• I was 35 when I discovered I'm on the autism spectrum. Here's how it changed my life. - This could be the story of how my autism discovery/diagnosis went. A good read.
• The Protective Gift of Meltdowns - Excellent article on meltdowns. Anyone who experiences them, or has been in the presence of one, should really read this.
• a very incomplete list of autistic experiences; no particular order - I related most to the bits about movies, reactions to lights (a particularly sore point with me), and sensory overload.
• Hannah Gadsby’s “Nanette” and Disabled Queer Trauma - Thoughts on this recent comedic revelation. I loved Hannah, and it spoke to me on so many levels.
• How autistic adults are being let down by the healthcare system - Not a surprising story. 
• How to Build an Audience on Facebook: 9 Tips That Helped 'Autistic Not Weird' Gather 82,000 Followers on Facebook in Three Years - This is less about the autism, and more about success in social media, but it's nice to see a autism success story.

Memes

In fact, I particularly enjoyed the meme Mr. Bonnello created.

Meme by Chris Bonnello (a.k.a. "Autistic Not Weird")
autisticnotweird.com

I prefer... "albatross"...
Source

Books

Released in August:

• My Special Friend Sam: Respecting the Needs of Children with Autism - I like what I've seen of this book so far. There needs to be more books for people outside the spectrum, especially at a young age, normalizing autistic behavior and respecting boundaries for autistic people. If it's done well enough, then I'd like to see it in classrooms everywhere. 
• Being with Asperger's: So That's How It's Done! - I'm curious about this one. Someone with Asperger's partially viewed by someone who lived with them, and partially through their own words, full of their brand of humor, etc. Could be cool.
• Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism - Been waiting for this one to come out for a while. Perspectives from several different women on the spectrum. If nothing else, this can tell me which authors I'd like to purchase next based on style and how I connect to their stories.

Released in September:

• Asperger’s Syndrome and Jail: A Survival Guide - I can't imagine trying to navigate jail. I think I'd lose my mind. This could be a really important tool, though I'd like to see one for guards and wardens, as well as see the justice system get an overhaul, so that not so many people with developmental disabilities (as autism falls under), are sent to jail in the first place.
• Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum - I'm really excited to read this. While most information written about the spectrum from an autistic's point of view is important, I particularly want the perspectives of women on the spectrum, especially as it pertains to our tendency to mask, making our lives a bigger struggle, sometimes, than that of our male peers.

Insights

Though I've been taking time away from the blog, autism is never far from my mind. It can't be. It is part of who I am. I read somewhere that finding diagnosis was like finding a Rosetta Stone to the self (need to find that source). I wholeheartedly agree. If it weren't for my diagnosis, there are so many things I still wouldn't understand about myself; so many things I wouldn't be able to make happen in my life. ...of course, there are a lot of things I can't make happen for the very reason that I am autistic. It's a weird little balance. And I'm doing the best I can. 

What kinds of resources and cool things have you found lately? Share in the comments below!

May Finds & Insights + Introduction

I'm starting something new for the blog. I come across a lot of interesting things throughout my research, and I try to share them on social media, but I like the idea of creating a "resource" post. So here it is. I'll share different things I find monthly (and some that may be older, but from which I find fresh insight), and maybe a little insight to go with. 

Note: I want to note that I do not endorse any of the products, services, or works that I list in these posts, unless specifically noted. I simply find them interesting, and think you might, too. Trigger warnings don't often occur to me to note, but I'll see what I can do. Also, I took some time off social media this month, so you may see a lot more "finds" in subsequent months.

Articles/Sites/Blogs

• I’m a “highly functional” Autistic. It takes a lot of work. - This post got to me big time. I struggle with so many of the things she mentions in here, particularly when she talks about food specificities (I hate when people call me picky), and the "Transportation" section. Be sure to check out "A Note to Readers" at the end.
• The underdiagnosis of autism in girls is a story of gender inequality - I found this one while researching for my own post on women on the spectrum (which you can check out here). I recommend this. Great read.
• Scientists just beginning to understand autistic adults’ unique health needs - Important new research for people on the spectrum, and those who love them.
• “FIFTEEN THINGS THEY FORGOT TO TELL YOU ABOUT AUTISM” — BOOK REVIEW AND INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR DEBBY ELLEY - Great interview. I don't usually read accounts of autistic children written by parents (mostly because I'm an adult on the spectrum with no interest in kids of my own), but this has me wanting to add this to my "check it out" list.

Memes

Invisible disabilities...

Source

Source

Books

I found a listing of books being released throughout 2018 (and into 2019), so I'll post the ones that have released the previous month. If I have read them, I'll also do a review (likely in its own post). I admit that a few books looked offensive to me personally, so I have decided not to include them. Like I said, this will be what I find interesting and wish to share. I'm not interested in sharing hateful or ignorant works. However, if you need to see some of the things people write about Autistics that can be perceived as harmful, you are more than welcome to search through the list yourself.

• Asperger's Syndrome: Understanding Each Other (For ASD/NT Couples): by the girl with the curly hair (The Visual Guides) (Volume 6)
• Asperger's Children: The Origins of Autism in Nazi Vienna - There's been a lot of talk lately about how early autism research related to Nazi eugenics programs, so I'm curious to check this out.
• Out of Autism
• Speaking for Ourselves: Conversations on Life, Music, and Autism - This definitely peaked my interest. So many choices, so little time and money.
• Sex and the Single Aspie - From what I've seen of Artemisa's style, I think I'll enjoy this read.
• Affect, Animals, and Autists: Feeling Around the Edges of the Human in Performance - As a Theatre professional, this very much peaks my interest. Going on the list.

Movies/TV

Elementary Season 4 Episode 9 - "Murder Ex Machina"

It's really rare to find decent portrayals of autistic people on television and in movies. So, I was only mildly - and pleasantly - surprised to see one on Elementary, CBS's modern take on Sherlock Holmes. I generally like this show, and have been working through it with my family. 

This particular episode has them investigating a string of murders that may have been committed by a computer hacker, but that paled in comparison to the portrayal of the autistic computer prodigy. I found the portrayal of Fiona Helbron (a.k.a. "Mittens") to be done well overall, although I thought it was interesting that they planted the idea that Fiona couldn't lie because she was autistic. Though we often get into trouble for being too truthful, there's no substantial research proving that we are categorically incapable of it. Still, it's an interesting watch, and I definitely recommend this one. I'd like to see other Autistics' reaction to her performance, so please comment below. You can currently find this on Hulu, though I'm not sure if it's available for non-premium accounts.

Other Resources

ACN Omaha

If you live in the Omaha, NE metro area, this might be a good one for you to check out. I met the staff there; they seem really committed to assisting us with dignity, and continuing to evolve as a community resource. I'll undoubtedly write more on them later.

Insights

I'm still wrapping my head around Autism Acceptance Month in April. I've tried and failed several times to get a post up and running on what I got out of it. It was a lot to process this month, starting the blog anew and focusing heavily on advocacy for the first time in such a personal way. So stay tuned; I've got more posts on the way, and I'll get that one up, too.

What kinds of resources and cool things have you found lately? Share in the comments below!