Sad Robot

sad robot

I am in a bad place. Not the worst place by far, but it keeps getting worse. My brain is starting to shut down and it is getting harder to come back. It happens whenever there are too many things. It has always happened, and no matter what kinds of medicines I take, or therapy …

Read more »

Working While Autistic

Sisyphus

Working is hard. I think it is hard for most people because it is something you have to do for so many hours of your life. Some jobs are harder than others, but having to put so much time and energy into something can become onerous under the best of circumstances. In many ways, my job is easy. I …

Read more »

chaos

chaos

chaos is in me
one step closer to the edge
trying not to fall

chaos confuses
wraps word order wrong and fails
to stop the echo

chaos surrounds me
closing in fog and laughing
when i disappear

I am an autistic person with autism

Autistics Speaking Day 2015

I call myself autistic but if you call me a person with autism, I don’t mind. If you compare me to a puzzle it is ok. I think you are like a puzzle too. I don’t speak for all autistic people. I don’t think anyone can. I understand the reasons why person-first language can be …

Read more »

This is Autism

This is Autism

This is autism. Sometimes I can’t talk, but I can think. Sometimes I can’t think, but I can feel. Sometimes I don’t fit in. Sometimes I am just like you. This is autism. Thoughts crash. Never-ending attempts to organize the world into separate parts. The lines are blurred. When all things are one, everything fits …

Read more »

Hyperfocus

Hyperfocus | Freelance Freedom

Happy Autism Acceptance month everyone! So nice to read all of the positive posts about autism. I sometimes still have a hard time seeing the positive aspects of autism in myself, but there are at least a few that I am thankful for. I think my favorite one is hyperfocus. Hyperfocus (according to Urban Dictionary) …

Read more »

Autism Acceptance means…

By Karen Hillman Fully accepting that my partner’s autism shapes her world, but does not define all of who she is – she is autistic and also a web developer, a gamer, a cat lover, a music lover, a brown-belt in karate, a geek, a great listener, a vegetarian, a wife, a sister, a daughter, …

Read more »

Autism Is Gray

Autistics Speaking Day 2012

Once again, it is Autistics Speaking Day. I want to write a post about the positive aspects of autism, but at the moment, it is hard. It has been almost 8 years since I found out that I was autistic. At first, it freaked me out because there is no cure. Eventually, I started to …

Read more »

Unsolicited advice to NTs out there with partners on the spectrum considering a giant life change

By Karen Hillman Note from LB: This article was originally published on the Autism Women’s Network website and is reprinted with permission from the author. It is about Karen’s and my move here last year from Oakland, CA. We are both still learning to adapt to our busy lives here, and for the most part, we have both managed …

Read more »

The Autistic Freelancer :: Autistics Speaking Day 2011

I have been running my freelance web development business for over 15 years, the last 8 of which have actually involved a business license, paying taxes, and making money. Each year, I do a little  better than the last. Running a business can be challenging to everyone, and as with most things, can provide extra …

Read more »

My Children Want You To Know

My children want you to know that being of few words does not mean being of little intelligence.

My children want you to know that being socially awkward doesn’t mean they cannot be wonderful, kind, loving and loyal friends.

My children want you to know that they stim because they need to, not because they are brats with little self-control who wish to irritate you. My children want you to know that they are not “picky”, “wussy” or “incorrigible” because they cannot tolerate certain lights, sounds, fabrics or foods. They experience the world quite differently than you do from a sensory standpoint, and they are doing their best to process and handle all of it. Think of having the volume turned up on every one of your senses at all times.

Read the rest of this article…

Autism and Empathy

I watched a great video today featuring John Elder Robison that touched on the subject of Empathy and Autism. There is a popular opinion that people with autism do not have empathy. I am not sure if this true. I think I am a very empathetic person, but I am not completely sure that I …

Read more »

Don’t Give Up Yet! Vote for AWN in December!

Autism Women's Network

Last month, we were just a few places short of winning the Pepsi Refresh Everything contest. This month we are sure to win! Well, not really, so I must ask again: Please keep voting for the Autism Women’s Network EVERY DAY in December! There are 3 ways to vote: Vote via facebook:  When you are …

Read more »