• Understanding Autism from the Inside

    “Academics came easily to me. The rest of life—not so much.”
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Rituals and Routines; I finished my book, now I can’t sleep!

I need to buy two books at a time! A few months ago I began reading the Sword of Truth series, by Terry Goodkind.  Only recently have I begun to read so much fiction, and am glad that I have.  Reading and writing fiction has been like therapy, and good …

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I Wouldn’t Recognize You if You Stood on Your Head

“Everyone knows Jeannie; she just doesn’t know them.” That was the common phrase I heard in high school.  A constant stream of hugs, smiles, and waves filled my days. I never understood how so many people who I didn’t know, knew me. Prosopagnosia, also known as “facial agnosia” or “face-blindness,” …

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Navigating the Holidays with Autism: Part II: Is your Aspie a Christmas Control Freak?

Let’s talk about control. Autistics have a deep seated need for control. A need for routine, and to control our environments is paramount. In fact, it is very difficult for us not to do things the way we have always done them; the way we know they should be done.  …

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Navigating the Holiday with Autism; Part I: Not sure what to get your Aspie for Christmas? Ask them!

Ever since I was a child I had an extreme need to know exactly what to expect. I hated surprises, and I still do! My mother often complained how I was a “little bitch,” her words because when someone gave me something I didn’t like I was not polite and …

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DSM-V – New Diagnostic Criteria for ASD – What will this mean for me, an Aspie?

Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS, and Autistic Disorder will be removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which will be published and in effect in May of 2013. Those disorders will now be included under one umbrella diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). To be honest I am …

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The Beauty of Diagnosis; Surviving the Holidays

In addition, to all I have to be thankful for, I am thankful for my autism diagnosis. Thanksgiving has come and gone. I am usually a panicked mess.  I love the holidays but hate the madness. I obsess about everything being perfect, every bite of food, every part of the …

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Be Careful of What You Say to ASD Children; the literal-Minded 8 year old

Our Words and our ASD Children Being mindful of the words we use when we speak to our ASD children can be exhausting, but so can the meltdown that follows misinterpretations. Understanding how their highly literal minds process the words is crucial.   It’s Sunday again and I am reminded …

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He thought they were calling him slow; the literal-minded 8 year old

This is the sign displayed in front of my eight year old’s school I guess he hadn’t really noticed it before, but when we pulled in front of the school to head to go the book fair he jumped out of the van and stamped his foot. “Arghh!” he yelled. …

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Your Other Left: Spatial problems in autism

 “You need to make a left at this corner. No—your other left” ~ Mr. Aspie Writer   It doesn’t happen every once in a while; it happens all the time. Whenever I am asked for direction (I am great at giving directions because I remember street names) I stumble over …

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Focusing on Special Interests

Asperger’s Syndrome and Special Interests Special Interests, For When My Well Runs Dry. I can focus for hours and hours on end on reading, writing, or playing poker. The rest of the world disappears; I can forget it exists. It calms me, and the stress melts away. When I’m focused …

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