April 2017

Autism April

To the person who changed my life: A tribute to Polly Samuel by Yenn (Jeanette) Purkis

April 30, 2017 Spectrum Women

This is probably the hardest thing I have had to write so far. It is also something I desperately need and want to do. When I was asked to write this I felt conflicted. Would it be enough? Would I say the ‘right’ things? Would it do justice to the person it is written for, my first and most influential mentor? This is the sincerest of thank you’s but also an apology for not staying in touch, and not really appreciating what I was given so freely. Now that time is limited I feel I do not have enough to […]

Autism April

Disclosure – The Pros and Cons – Maura Campbell

April 22, 2017 Spectrum Women

Whether to disclose an autism diagnosis is an important issue for many newly diagnosed adults. I would never presume to tell someone in that position what to do, though I would encourage them to take a bit of time to think about it. What is said cannot subsequently be unsaid. After I was told, in a private consultation, that I had Asperger Syndrome I pretty much burst out of the Aspie closet immediately. I hadn’t given the matter of disclosure much thought, which was uncharacteristic for me since I usually overthink practically everything. I was so euphoric on the day […]

RESEARCH – The merging of Aspergers with Autism in the DSM 5: Exploring the impact on those previously diagnosed.

April 30, 2017 Spectrum Women

Personal Blogs

BECCA LORY, CAS, BCCS – Personal Blog

April 20, 2017 Spectrum Women

BECCA LORY, CAS, BCCS was diagnosed on the autism spectrum as an adult and has since become an active advocate and life coach for individuals on the autism spectrum. Ms. Lory has published multiple articles along with speaking publicly about life on the autism spectrum with the goal of spreading awareness, understanding, and encouraging self-advocacy. Having spent four years supporting the autism community through non-profit work, Ms. Lory decided to branch into autism consulting, in-service trainings, and life coaching as a solo venture while developing improvisational workshops to assist adults on the spectrum with the practice of independent living skills. […]

Autism April

“Autism Saved My Life” By Becca Lory, CAS, BCCS

April 20, 2017 Spectrum Women

For 36 of my 40 years, I was disabled. I was cut off from the world but for the tiny bubble that was my bedroom. Barely able to care for myself, angry, scared and lonely, I felt hopeless and broken. Suicidal thoughts were a daily reminder of my inadequacies and failures. I was certain there had been a mistake. I was clearly not meant for this existence. That is until autism entered my world and saved my life. I’m certain you must be wondering how a deeply depressed and suicidal, disabled person could have been saved by an autism diagnosis. […]

Autism April

Pieces of April… Peace of April (Poem) — Christine Jenkins

April 16, 2017 Spectrum Women

Every spring the showers start Fresh ideas tumble from my mind and heart Like a basket of mewling kittens I turn each one over with care Make sure they are alive and well I’m tired of the autism war — of the name calling; of the taking sides; of fighting over funding; of folk assuming the autistic one I love is not me I’m sad it took five decades to find my identity How I must compete to be the worst victim To qualify for supports I’m not ageing out; I’m ageing out of sight. Orphaned by the death of […]

Autism April

THE SENSORY WORLD – Renata Jurkevythz

April 14, 2017 Spectrum Women

One thing very common to autistic people (but not exclusive to our type of brain) is the so-called “Sensory Processing Disorder”. Being perceived as a disorder, people tend to only refer to the problems it brings… there are indeed many (some very difficult ones), but overall I personally do not like the term “disorder” very much. I prefer calling it a different way to perceive the world through your senses. It might be better or worse, depending on your levels of sensitivity and the situation you are in. It is indeed very different from the “regular” way of processing your […]

Autism April

How I Learned To Love Having My Period as an Autistic Woman – Kate Ross

April 13, 2017 Spectrum Women

VAGINA!! Now that I’ve got that out of the way, we can get down to business. This article will be using blunt and factual language which may make some readers squeamish, but my aim is to help start a conversation and not to offend. As women, we all share the commonality of experiencing menstruation, more colloquially called periods. However, for some crazy reason, we are restricted to talking about this in hushed tones away from anyone we might possibly offend by talking about this perfectly natural process. As I write this, Eve Ensler’s one-woman show The Vagina Monologues is playing […]

Autism April

Autism and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) -12 Management Tips- Linda Wemyss

April 12, 2017 Spectrum Women

Having Autism or a Physical Disability on their own can be hard enough to deal with in a world that is as ableist as this one is. Having both together can be downright infuriating and frustrating. There are some real concerns when it comes to physical disability for autistic people. Autistic people die, on average, 18 years younger than our neurotypical peers (http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/03/people-autism-spectrum-die-18-years-younger-average). While some of this can be accounted for by higher rates of drowning (for those also with intellectual disability), and epilepsy, there is also concern that people with autism may have issues with expressing their concerns to […]

Autism April

How I Feel – Tina Richardson

April 11, 2017 Spectrum Women

Emotions, they are such complicated feelings that others usually expect me to be able to verbalise exactly in words what they are. Yet do these words that others use for how they feel actually relate to how I feel? How I feel usually is an intense mix of things that tumble all in together. I feel something but I’m not sure if I am angry or sad, confused or upset. Maybe I’m hungry or tired, I do not know. My husband asks me am I okay, “What is wrong?” How do I answer that? I can go many hours without […]