#understanding autism

[bumpytoad]

Some say that "special interest" isn't a good term, and that Autistics should just be considered to have interests like anyone else. I vehemently disagree with this. The term isn't just cutesy and patronizing. The term is true. When you have a special interest or special interests, these become part of you. They often can't be separated, and especially not by force or social pressure without causing severe and everlasting distress and trauma. Even if special interests do shift in the sense of changing with new encounters and being more fluid, it's still fundamentally a brain difference that deeply affects our internal perception of identity and we can't be forced to change, and we would feel empty without a special interest and we need to feel connected to it on a deeper level than just really liking something. We need to understand it on an emotional level, assimilate it into us, merge with it. These special interests are so intense as to often be completely immersive and Autistics hyperfocus on them. And while most pathologize this in an educational setting, considering these interests to be too "restricted" where the Autistic individual can't learn anything else, this is just proof that Autistics are different and that standard environments are profoundly lacking and cognitive performance tests and IQ tests can't be applied to us with accuracy. But Autistics can learn more broadly. We do it all the time, but it has to be through our special interests. Our special interests are a gateway, a window into learning so many other things that we can connect back to those main special interests. This requires time and patience in education, and most often a one on one learning experience. Though there are those who can't learn in education regardless. It's just not who they are and they don't take to it. There is no connection with the approach or the setting. Many of us like this are considered intellectually disabled, but that's only because our brains are meant to be specialized. Specialized for our special interests. There are so many skills that we have that are often completely overlooked by outsiders such as professionals just because they don't fit into boxes and standards and align with milestones. And yes, my interests are special to me, so special in fact that I am extremely defensive about them and to abuse me for them is to cut my very soul.

#autism #autistic #understanding autism #special interest #special interests #aspergers #aspie #hyperfixation #obsessions #neurodiversity #actually neurodiverse #actually autistic #autism rights #not neurotypical

[cobaltsoulsearcher]

Resources for questioning/self-diagnosing autistics

Note: I am a professionally diagnosed autistic. I welcome researched self-diagnosis and also would wish to acknowledge these tools are intended largely for low support needs and mid to high masking folks without major language/intellectual disabilities , who are only one part of the autism community. Likewise, science does not always adequately study POC and AFAB autistic people.

That said, here are some scientifically based resources.

1. Look at what professional psychologists use to diagnose autism in adults. This is intended for professionals so it may be very difficult to understand. That’s okay! You don’t have to understand this! It’s just for reference.

There is one major note I have here, which is that they use the EQ empathy quotient. it is important to know does not measure empathy, but NT responses to empathy; this has been proved by comparing it with other scales of empathy. Toronto Empathy Scale is good if you want to know your actual level of Empathy and is linked later on. Low empathy or high empathy are both possible with autistics.

You can also look at the diagnostic criteria for autism! Here’s a link: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-dsm.html

2. The Autism Spectrum Quotient is the most cited number for measuring autistic likeliness, and can be taken as a self-report quiz. You can take it here: https://embrace-autism.com/autism-spectrum-quotient/#test

https://embrace-autism.com/autism-spectrum-quotient/#test

However, do note that some of them are worded weirdly. Embrace autism has this handy list of rephrased items to help with taking it:

3. The RAADS-R autism measure is another often looked at number that can be taken as a self-report quiz, though again, be aware there is bias towards white male typical traits. It is also important to note this tool is only intended to adults and generally useless to teens.

4 . You might see the Aspie quiz (https://rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php) around as well. However, the reason it isn’t as studied is because in reality, it doesn’t particularly measure autism as opposed to general neurodivergence (ADHD, OCD, and BPD folks in particular also tend to score high). The only area that IS consistently high for autistics only is “Talent”. Don’t depend on this measure.

5. There are some other scales that may be useful to understanding your autistic traits, but that only examine specific traits. Here are a few:

Masking: https://novopsych.com.au/assessments/formulation/camouflaging-autistic-traits-questionnaire-cat-q/

Repetitive behavior: https://cardiffunipsych.eu.qualtrics.com/CP/File.php?F=F_cNmWiefEt9VrJbg

Executive function: https://www.smartbutscatteredkids.com/esq/

Alexithymia: https://embrace-autism.com/toronto-alexithymia-scale/

https://embrace-autism.com/toronto-alexithymia-scale/

Empathy: https://psychology-tools.com/test/toronto-empathy-questionnaire

#autism #actually autistic #level 1 autism #autism masking #self diagnosis #resources #autism quiz #aspie quiz #understanding autism

[neurodivergent-brain]

“Mental health isn’t real”

“everybody seems to have ADHD nowadays”

“What are you autistic or something?”

#actually adhd #adhd brain #adhd things #autism #actually autistic #actually neurodiverse #neurodiversity #adhd life #autistic adult #adhd memes #adhd stuff #living with adhd #adhd problems #adhd #autistic community #understanding autism #autism spectrum disorder #autistic experiences #neurodiverse stuff #actually neurodivergent #neurodivergent #ableism #ableist bullshit #mental health matters #mental illness #mental health #ableist language cw #r u ok #autistic things #awareness

[ableautism]

Autism parenting is a unique journey, filled with joys and challenges. Let’s talk about some effective strategies that not only help with kids’ emotional and cognitive skills but also make the whole parenting journey smoother and more fulfilling.

#Autism Care #Autism Family Support #Understanding Autism

[unknown-lollipop]

🍭⚠️I need advice/ information on how to briefly interact with an adult with autism.

I ride the bus and every now and again an adorably nice woman with autism comes up to me, blowing bubbles. I don't know how to interpret her gestures or the few mumbles she says. I feel like I make her uncomfortable so if there's anyone that can help me that be great.

#pls help #advice #understanding autism #autistic adult #autism awareness

[manyetha-darcylock]

"THE AUSBERG"

So this is something I've been working on for a while - a tool to help those with invisible disabilities show people there is more to them than they see.

And an iceberg was perfect -Firstly for the pun -Secondly because, like an iceberg, invisible disabilities have a lot more going on than people see -Thirdly, while some icebergs look similar they are all UNIQUE just like every AUSBERG

So this was a tool that helped me explore my autism, and own it - there's good, there's bad and there's stuff that is just the way it is. I got to learn more about myself, own what I have, see it's not all bad, see I'm not alone and see there's different ways to see things - like my being very literal and logical can be a problem at times but it's also a strength and why I'm so good with computers and things.

So I'd like people to share this, anywhere they like, even just the image. MAKE your own - I'll add my blank art below so you can use. Even if it's not for Autism but another invisible disability, or maybe even a visible one - because you can't "see" all of it.

Go nuts And if this helps just one person I'll be happy, hell I already kind of am because it helped me.

#THE AUSBERG #Autism #autistic pride #neurodivergent #invisible disability #finding yourself #showing yourself #understanding autism #autistic tool

[forkborb]

My understanding of autism changed so much since I started this blog. Weird how 1% of the world is autistic (apparently) but it’s just most of the people are on tumblr and spaces I occupy. In contrast when I found about asexuality, (11%) that to me was such a small number. But it felt so much smaller than the 1% because I wasn’t exposed to much asexual people.

So to my idea that everyone is a lil autistic,.. that’s false, and is something that’s used to devaluate the autistic experience.

Look at this slippery slope down the knowledge hole!

#autism #what is autism #understanding autism

[milkway33]

i just found out from my mother that for the past two years my father has been researching and buying books to help understand my autism, this probably doesnt mean much to anyone else but please excuse me while i go cry into my worlds best dad ribbon /pos

#autism #neurodivergent #understanding #understanding autism #relatable #parents #father

[xneverleftx]

Over 1200 words into Chapter 13 of Never Left and I flip back over to the next question on my "Understanding Autism" course and realise that the call is coming from inside the house 😜🤣

#asd #autism #understanding autism #neurospicy #neurodiversity #lol #it's due in TODAY FFS

[bumpytoad]

I am a very disabled and also officially DX'ed Autistic. There's this idea that very disabled individuals can't have complex personal identities and expressions, though the truth is that we're the ones who usually do place the most emphasis on personal identity.

We also can't just change ourselves in order to meet social expectations and "play the game" the way that many non-Autistics, non-Neurodivergents and non-disabled individuals so often can, either, and therefore many of us tend to really stand out in various ways.

There's this idea that we as Autistics shouldn't have the self-awareness necessary to express complex personal identities, when the truth is that we're often very self-aware. Our self-awareness so often deeply compounds the issues related to being disabled in this world.

We have to be self-aware by necessity. Our personal identities are so strong, and we have to develop defense mechanisms and keep them rigidly in place to maintain our personal identities in the face of severe opposition and adversity.

#actually neurodiverse #actually autistic #personal identity #rigidity #autism #autistic pride #understanding autism #autistic identity #disabled #disability #disability rights #autistic #autistic rights #accomodation #respect #rights #dignity #freetobeme #Self-expression #flamboyant self expression #non traditional self expression #diversity

[cozymodeonpoint]

senshi fans: learning how to make nutritious meals for themselves

laios fans: down bad

marcille fans: lesbianism

chilchuck fans: putting that man in situations

#this is what I've observed over the past few weeks #it's great #dungeon meshi #delicious in dungeon #senshi #laois touden #marcille donato #chilchuck #2000+ notes later and I'm starting to think i read y'all to filth #with exception to senshi fans also being down for him #update at 9000 notes: you can like laois for autism reasons and still be down bad #some of y'all in the tags and fics are down bad for laois in mental way #like you want him to be real so you can do brain crazy with him do you understand

[komodocloud]

do you guys ever feel like an outcast even in a group full of outcasts. like i'm autistic and even in groups full of neurodivergent people i'm still excluded sometimes. i don't understand why

#vent post #actually autistic #autism #is it just me #i don't understand what the problem is #am i just weird #neurodivergent #being autistic

[adventurementalhealthllc]

Individuals with autism often experience sensory challenges that can significantly impact their daily lives. These challenges arise due to differences in how the brain processes and responds to sensory stimuli. Navigating the world with heightened or diminished sensitivities to sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell can be overwhelming for those with autism.

#Autism Support #Sensory Management #Understanding Autism

[tom4jc]

Assistance Requested For A Devotional Book

An acquaintance of mine, Stella Pak, is a medical doctor who is on the autism spectrum. She has noticed that as an autistic person there are no devotionals that are geared for an autistic person. People who have autism have a different way of looking at things and understanding things. Their level of thinking is often above the average person. They see things literally and struggle with abstract…

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#Autistic Christians #Devotional #fundraiser #helping autistic believers #publishing a book #understanding autism

[littlebluebeesbehaviortherap]

Children with autism need unique care and attention when it comes to helping them achieve their goals and giving them a better quality of life. That’s why parents whose children are diagnosed with autism also play a significant role in attending and continuing their child’s pediatric therapy in Miami or wherever they may be. Check out this article for some practical tips for parents.

#Autism Care #Educational Strategies #Understanding Autism

[twerk4mothman]

Part of this was filmed at the school where I work and I’m literally crying I can’t wait for the actual movie to come out

#my students are in this! #I’m crying!!! #only for like a half second total #but I love them! #we told one of them he’s gonna be a movie star #and he gave such a big smile #autism #movie #netflix #trailer #understanding autism #Youtube