Hey guys. It's another serious subject today. I'm going to talk about how I deal with hurt. I'm not talking physical hurt, I'm talking mental hurt.
I decided to do this because I actually had a moment on Tuesday. Throughout my life, I've lost people who I really cared about. One day, there were in my life. The next day, they exited out of my life. They even walked out without reason, they just left. I've reached out to those people who walked out and I'm still waiting to hear back. I've prayed they would come back and they're still away.
When this happens, and it will continue to happen, I feel so incredibly hurt inside and bitter. This is something that I just hope no other Autistic individual goes through what I went through. Autistic people are extra sensitive, and that makes the hurt feel even more painful, the bitterness builds up, and we don't know what to do right then and there. It's something that I literally cannot explain. If I could draw some sort of picture right now to try to explain it, I honestly would. But, I can't, so I have to explain the best I can.
Since I'm a person with Autism, I'm going to tell you what makes the pain go away. You know that saying that goes "time heals everything?" That is the BIGGEST LIE you'll ever hear. Time doesn't heal everything, it only makes the pain more easy to deal with, which it does, but the pain is still there. As I've told you all before, I'm a Christian, more specifically, non-denominational. While people have come and gone in my life, I've learned to put my hurt in God's hands. I confide in Him, and I pray that He comforts me and puts His loving hands around me, and he does. I also read my Bible as an extra comfort I can't get from anyone and anywhere else.
I know some of you may not be religious people, so I'm going to give you the simple, every day things I do to help me deal with hurt. Have your Autistic loved one talk to you. If they are non-verbal, have them draw pictures to help tell you what's wrong. I always talk to my mom if I'm hurting, and I talk to some of my friends too. Talking always helps, but something helps even more. Three words: Let It Out. Allow them to cry as long as they need to so they can feel better. That's what helps me a lot. I'd just cry and let everything go, and I'd feel a bit better. I don't recommend this a lot, but in the case of my example, I am. Watch a show that will make them smile. For me, it's VeggieTales. I grew up on VeggieTales, and even at my age, it still makes me smile and laugh. Each one has a different message. If the problem is from bullying, I would watch Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Samson's Hairbrush. The one that solely focuses on handling hurt (that I so desperately want to see) is Robin Good and His Not So Merry Men. I want to watch it so it can kind of help me handle hurt better. The final thing, I know this is going to sound crazy, but still love the ones who hurt you, even the ones who hurt you the most. Matthew 5:44 says "But I tell you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you." Not an easy thing, but it helps. It also shows how strong of a person you are by still caring about them.
So, there you have it. Hope you guys liked it.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Monday, September 7, 2015
Using Pictures To The Advantage
First off, I want to wish a Happy Labor Day to everyone! Have an awesome day today with friends and family.
Now, I had another blogger's block (which is always fun...NOT), and I was trying to figure out what I should talk about next. I finally came up with a topic that I know a lot about: pictures.
Pictures are my favorite "P" word. That's because that's how I think and learn best. I think, learn, and understand better using pictures. Pictures are so incredibly important to any Autistic person, especially those who are non-verbal. It's a part of how we understand and how our brains receive information and how messages are sent to our brain. It's sounds complicated, but it works. I need pictures to understand and I need someone showing me how to do something to get the gist of it.
I've been able to learn how to control myself in a public place and how to do mainly the basic necessities by using pictures. Autistic children learn through pictures, and that's what prompted me to write my book, Meet My Autism. I used mainly pictures to help everyone understand how we think and learn.
So, that's my blog for today! Let me know what you want me to talk about next! Have a good one, guys.
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Bullying and Autism
Hey guys. Since schools have officially started, I wanted to talk about bullying. I'm sorry that this is a more serious blog, but I feel that this has to be addressed, and this can't wait until October. I'm not sugar coating this either, I'm going to be as realistic and honest as possible.
OK, here's the reality: bullying happens. Autistic kids and teens do have a 50/50 chance of being bullied, even though most likely, they will. I'm not trying to be discouraging or mean, I'm telling you this because I was bullied from preschool all the way up until my last semester of senior year. I know how it feels and what it is, and that's why I'm being honest and I'm going to give some insight and advice.
The reason why bullying happens to EVERYONE, not just Autistic people like me is because sadly, there are mean and cruel people in this world. Some people want to feel more proud of themselves, and they go so far as to picking on people to feel that way. Why bullying happens to Autistic kids, teens, and young adults, I have no idea. All I know is that it's not only mean, it's sickening in my opinion.
Kids have called me "stupid", "dumb", "weirdo", "cry baby", "sensitive", and the r-word that I still cringe at to this day: "retard". Just repeating the hurtful words they've called me still hurts. I was also poked at, laughed at, picked on, and I was even shoved and pushed. It brings back bitter memories I long to have erased from my mind. I still remember the taunts, and the whispers from actual grown-ups, and the jokes. I don't understand WHY it happens, all I do know is that it does. People don't understand how much we hurt because we are extra sensitive. People don't know what we go through every day, living the life we live with the Autism we didn't choose to have. Again, we need more knowledge, more acceptance. I think if people can see how we function and how extraordinary we are, they would be more understanding, and more accepting, and less mean.
So, I'm going to leave you with some advice today:
To the bullies: Why? Why choose those who are obviously weaker than you? It's not right, it's rude. It's cruel. Bullying someone doesn't make you any more of a bigger person, it makes you less of a person because instead of being a buddy, you chose to be a bully, and that's just mean. My advice to you, specifically is to educate yourself on Autism. Ask grown-ups about it, read books, watch documentaries and movies, whatever you need to do to learn more about Autism and what we go through, do it. We don't want your cruel and mean bullying anymore, and we will not have it. I'll be praying for you.
To the parents of the Autistic kids and teens getting bullied: Keep doing what you're doing. Keep talking to them. Keep loving on them. Keep making them feel better. Your love and support is all they need to feel better and feel okay. I'm no parent expert or a Ph.D or something like that, but ensure your child that even though it's said doesn't make it true. Remind them that bullies are just mean, and to not mind what they say, even though it can be tough to do.
And lastly...
To the Autistic kids and teens, and every child and teen for that matter, who are bullied: Don't give up. Don't pay them any attention. That's what bullies want. You may not know it, but you are such strong people and you can do anything you set your mind to. Write in a journal, or the #1 best thing you can do is talking to someone about it. Whether it be your parents, friends, or a grown-up, I found that doing that has helped me cope the best. Another thing that has helped me is praying. I encourage you to pray, even if you aren't religious. Just know that even though they say mean things about you doesn't make it true. They just don't know anything about you. Also, be kind to them, that's what's going to make them stop. And remember, stay strong and never give up.
OK, here's the reality: bullying happens. Autistic kids and teens do have a 50/50 chance of being bullied, even though most likely, they will. I'm not trying to be discouraging or mean, I'm telling you this because I was bullied from preschool all the way up until my last semester of senior year. I know how it feels and what it is, and that's why I'm being honest and I'm going to give some insight and advice.
The reason why bullying happens to EVERYONE, not just Autistic people like me is because sadly, there are mean and cruel people in this world. Some people want to feel more proud of themselves, and they go so far as to picking on people to feel that way. Why bullying happens to Autistic kids, teens, and young adults, I have no idea. All I know is that it's not only mean, it's sickening in my opinion.
Kids have called me "stupid", "dumb", "weirdo", "cry baby", "sensitive", and the r-word that I still cringe at to this day: "retard". Just repeating the hurtful words they've called me still hurts. I was also poked at, laughed at, picked on, and I was even shoved and pushed. It brings back bitter memories I long to have erased from my mind. I still remember the taunts, and the whispers from actual grown-ups, and the jokes. I don't understand WHY it happens, all I do know is that it does. People don't understand how much we hurt because we are extra sensitive. People don't know what we go through every day, living the life we live with the Autism we didn't choose to have. Again, we need more knowledge, more acceptance. I think if people can see how we function and how extraordinary we are, they would be more understanding, and more accepting, and less mean.
So, I'm going to leave you with some advice today:
To the bullies: Why? Why choose those who are obviously weaker than you? It's not right, it's rude. It's cruel. Bullying someone doesn't make you any more of a bigger person, it makes you less of a person because instead of being a buddy, you chose to be a bully, and that's just mean. My advice to you, specifically is to educate yourself on Autism. Ask grown-ups about it, read books, watch documentaries and movies, whatever you need to do to learn more about Autism and what we go through, do it. We don't want your cruel and mean bullying anymore, and we will not have it. I'll be praying for you.
To the parents of the Autistic kids and teens getting bullied: Keep doing what you're doing. Keep talking to them. Keep loving on them. Keep making them feel better. Your love and support is all they need to feel better and feel okay. I'm no parent expert or a Ph.D or something like that, but ensure your child that even though it's said doesn't make it true. Remind them that bullies are just mean, and to not mind what they say, even though it can be tough to do.
And lastly...
To the Autistic kids and teens, and every child and teen for that matter, who are bullied: Don't give up. Don't pay them any attention. That's what bullies want. You may not know it, but you are such strong people and you can do anything you set your mind to. Write in a journal, or the #1 best thing you can do is talking to someone about it. Whether it be your parents, friends, or a grown-up, I found that doing that has helped me cope the best. Another thing that has helped me is praying. I encourage you to pray, even if you aren't religious. Just know that even though they say mean things about you doesn't make it true. They just don't know anything about you. Also, be kind to them, that's what's going to make them stop. And remember, stay strong and never give up.
Monday, August 24, 2015
Life, Love, and Autism...
SO, I've been on a blogger's block for a while, but I'll have a few posts for you this week, since today is my first day of a la escuela. So, I'll be on my computer a while.
I've posted on Instagram about what YOU want me to talk about, and a mom came forward and asked that I write about how I feel about love and life. So, I'm here to deliver.
So, I have been in a relationship when I was 13, and that only lasted for two months. Since 2009, I've been single. Yep, I'm still single. I think boys just don't want to date me, which I cannot understand. As someone with Autism, I am a VERY picky and needy person, I always go into my own world at some point every day, I have meltdowns from time to time, and I can't stay out in public for a long time because of the many noises and sights that would shut me down. Yes, that's true. But, I'm also a funny, sweet, caring, and enjoyable girl, and all they see is my Autism. They push themselves away before getting to actually know me, which hurts more than not having a boyfriend. I am also a God seeking and God fearing girl as well. I've learned to trust in his timing and He'll send the one He picked for me when the time comes. That being said, I do see myself getting married to Mr. Right one day, and ADOPTING my children. I'm all about adoption because #1, I have a very high pain tolerance, and childbirth looks very painful. And #2, there are children who want a good home with parents who'll love and care for them, and I'm more than willing to do that for a few of them. Who knows? I'm leaving it up to God and His timing. So, that's my stance of love and romance.
Now, onto life. I'm now 20, which is the age that young adults are living in dorms, and drive, and have jobs, and live on their own. But I'm also Autistic. I don't drive, I don't live in dorms, I don't have a job (well, with my book and all this advocacy, I guess that classifies as a job), and I'm not living on my own. But I can vote (PLEASE VOTE IN THE 2016 ELECION, YOUR VOICE MATTERS)! Other than that, I have to rely very highly on my parents. I rely on them for food, clothes, transportation, money, and a roof over my head. Some Autistic people are on their own, which I've always dreamed about. I just don't feel I'm ready to venture out into the world on my own just yet, and my parents feel the same. Because the discrimination of people with Autism, Asbergers, Down Syndrome, and other learning, cognitive disorders is brutal. We might get a job, since the National Americans With Disabilities Act passed in 1990, but people give us looks, and whispers, and judge how we do things, which makes it so hard. Plus, if we get too overwhelmed, we get tense and don't do anything, which causes more people to judge, which makes it worse.
I say this a lot, but with Autism, everything comes down to ACCEPTANCE. I cannot stress this word enough. Acceptance is the KEY word when it comes to Autism. Accepting us with Autism for who we are is something we all need to do. If I can do it and YOU can do it, so can everyone else. So, accept others for who they are on the inside and not on the outside is the main message here.
I've posted on Instagram about what YOU want me to talk about, and a mom came forward and asked that I write about how I feel about love and life. So, I'm here to deliver.
So, I have been in a relationship when I was 13, and that only lasted for two months. Since 2009, I've been single. Yep, I'm still single. I think boys just don't want to date me, which I cannot understand. As someone with Autism, I am a VERY picky and needy person, I always go into my own world at some point every day, I have meltdowns from time to time, and I can't stay out in public for a long time because of the many noises and sights that would shut me down. Yes, that's true. But, I'm also a funny, sweet, caring, and enjoyable girl, and all they see is my Autism. They push themselves away before getting to actually know me, which hurts more than not having a boyfriend. I am also a God seeking and God fearing girl as well. I've learned to trust in his timing and He'll send the one He picked for me when the time comes. That being said, I do see myself getting married to Mr. Right one day, and ADOPTING my children. I'm all about adoption because #1, I have a very high pain tolerance, and childbirth looks very painful. And #2, there are children who want a good home with parents who'll love and care for them, and I'm more than willing to do that for a few of them. Who knows? I'm leaving it up to God and His timing. So, that's my stance of love and romance.
Now, onto life. I'm now 20, which is the age that young adults are living in dorms, and drive, and have jobs, and live on their own. But I'm also Autistic. I don't drive, I don't live in dorms, I don't have a job (well, with my book and all this advocacy, I guess that classifies as a job), and I'm not living on my own. But I can vote (PLEASE VOTE IN THE 2016 ELECION, YOUR VOICE MATTERS)! Other than that, I have to rely very highly on my parents. I rely on them for food, clothes, transportation, money, and a roof over my head. Some Autistic people are on their own, which I've always dreamed about. I just don't feel I'm ready to venture out into the world on my own just yet, and my parents feel the same. Because the discrimination of people with Autism, Asbergers, Down Syndrome, and other learning, cognitive disorders is brutal. We might get a job, since the National Americans With Disabilities Act passed in 1990, but people give us looks, and whispers, and judge how we do things, which makes it so hard. Plus, if we get too overwhelmed, we get tense and don't do anything, which causes more people to judge, which makes it worse.
I say this a lot, but with Autism, everything comes down to ACCEPTANCE. I cannot stress this word enough. Acceptance is the KEY word when it comes to Autism. Accepting us with Autism for who we are is something we all need to do. If I can do it and YOU can do it, so can everyone else. So, accept others for who they are on the inside and not on the outside is the main message here.
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Tips for Traveling...Away From Home
Hey, it's me. I'm BAAACK!!! I really wanted to do this topic in May, but I wanted to wait to see when the timing was convenient. And, since I'll be doing this sometime this week, I figured now was the time to discuss it, even though it's back-to-school season. Today, I wanted to talk about Autism and traveling, and how I cope with the stress, the changes that really only last a few days, and homesickness.
OK. So, my grandparents invited me to stay with them for a few days this week to celebrate my birthday, which is the 10th of this month. This has been a tradition for me since I can remember. They also live out of town, which is forty five to about fifty five minutes tops away from me, so they don't see me often (well, in the summer they do because of my dad's racing photography every Saturday). So, every year, either on the weekend of my birthday, or the week before, they invite me over for a few days so I can celebrate my special day with them.
Like I said, they live a bit far from me and my house. Before I leave and before I begin picking out clothes and things to bring with me, I wanted to share with you Autism moms and dads out there what I do to help with packing and coping. This particular topic is another reason why reading an Autistic girl's blog comes in very handy. I'm just going to say it: packing is super stressful for me, even for the few day trip to the grandparents' house, because I'm the type of person who doesn't know what they want to bring or what they don't want to bring. Fortunately, I found a great way to help me handle that, since I'm the type of Autistic person who does not handle stress too well. One word: organization. Yes, you heard me right. Organization is not one of my excellent qualities, but being organized and planning a few days ahead helps me best. I would start packing the things I REALLY need to bring, like clothes, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc. two days before, or the night before. Then, a few hours before I leave, I pack the movies and DVDs I want to take with me, some things to do, and a stuffed animal, or in my case, three. So, pack a few days ahead, and you'll be sure you have all the things you need to bring, and the things you want to bring.
Being in a different setting for a few days can be a small adjustment to scheduling and routine, but it can also cause homesickness. I'm the type of person who gets homesick, VERY easily. So, if your Autistic child tends to get homesick easily like myself, here's what I do. First, I take a few stuffed animals from home, three being the maximum, so that I can have a piece of home from me when I go to bed. Next, during the day, I do something that I like to do to help make the time go by faster, like working on my Rainbow Loom while watching my wrestling DVDs. You might like to do something else, like go to the park, or go run errands, go to the museum, go see a movie or two, watching the same show or DVD over and over again, playing a game, something like that to keep the child occupied so the time goes by quicker. Also, communicate with your child. I use messaging with my mom with my iPod since I can't text out where my grandparents live. I always try to keep some things until I am reunited with my parents to tell all to them, but there are also times where I don't tell them everything. This is because sometimes, what happens at Grammie's stays at Grammie's. Communication also keep up with my family. I tell you, what wondrous things social networking and modern day technology are.
So, those are my tips to deal with the travel shebang! I'll talk to you guys later.
OK. So, my grandparents invited me to stay with them for a few days this week to celebrate my birthday, which is the 10th of this month. This has been a tradition for me since I can remember. They also live out of town, which is forty five to about fifty five minutes tops away from me, so they don't see me often (well, in the summer they do because of my dad's racing photography every Saturday). So, every year, either on the weekend of my birthday, or the week before, they invite me over for a few days so I can celebrate my special day with them.
Like I said, they live a bit far from me and my house. Before I leave and before I begin picking out clothes and things to bring with me, I wanted to share with you Autism moms and dads out there what I do to help with packing and coping. This particular topic is another reason why reading an Autistic girl's blog comes in very handy. I'm just going to say it: packing is super stressful for me, even for the few day trip to the grandparents' house, because I'm the type of person who doesn't know what they want to bring or what they don't want to bring. Fortunately, I found a great way to help me handle that, since I'm the type of Autistic person who does not handle stress too well. One word: organization. Yes, you heard me right. Organization is not one of my excellent qualities, but being organized and planning a few days ahead helps me best. I would start packing the things I REALLY need to bring, like clothes, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc. two days before, or the night before. Then, a few hours before I leave, I pack the movies and DVDs I want to take with me, some things to do, and a stuffed animal, or in my case, three. So, pack a few days ahead, and you'll be sure you have all the things you need to bring, and the things you want to bring.
Being in a different setting for a few days can be a small adjustment to scheduling and routine, but it can also cause homesickness. I'm the type of person who gets homesick, VERY easily. So, if your Autistic child tends to get homesick easily like myself, here's what I do. First, I take a few stuffed animals from home, three being the maximum, so that I can have a piece of home from me when I go to bed. Next, during the day, I do something that I like to do to help make the time go by faster, like working on my Rainbow Loom while watching my wrestling DVDs. You might like to do something else, like go to the park, or go run errands, go to the museum, go see a movie or two, watching the same show or DVD over and over again, playing a game, something like that to keep the child occupied so the time goes by quicker. Also, communicate with your child. I use messaging with my mom with my iPod since I can't text out where my grandparents live. I always try to keep some things until I am reunited with my parents to tell all to them, but there are also times where I don't tell them everything. This is because sometimes, what happens at Grammie's stays at Grammie's. Communication also keep up with my family. I tell you, what wondrous things social networking and modern day technology are.
So, those are my tips to deal with the travel shebang! I'll talk to you guys later.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Trying New Things and Coping With Change
Ok, guys. I've officially recovered from the Independence Day weekend. It was a fun weekend and I got to see loads of fireworks! I was with family out of town and I've been back since Sunday. Toledo's Red, White, KaBOOM! firework show was so massive, it felt like we were driving in fog at around 1:30, 2:00 in the morning Sunday! It must've been a great show.
Anyway, I wanted to give you guys the blog I promised you I'd give you last Friday, but as I said, I was with family out of town for four days. I wanted to talk to you about two topics that everybody struggles with, but Autistic people seem to struggle with a bit worse (I'm a nineteen year old with Autism, so I've got a glimpse of how regular people and Autistic people deal with these issues). Those issues are trying new things and coping with change.
First, I want to talk about trying new things. I've tried numerous different things, like activities and FOOD, my whole life. I've always seemed to struggles with trying things that are new. For example, when I was in eighth grade, I went to Camp Marengo. One stormy night, they had chicken with sausage gravy. I had to take the plate because I do not like peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I was hungry, and I had to eat. I ended up eating, and I discovered it didn't taste that bad. I've tried different foods my whole life. Some were good, most were bad. As an Autistic person, it's hard to open myself to trying new things because of the fear of failure. I've got a more recent example, and by recent, I mean the past week. I've been watching YouTube baking videos from Rosanna Pansino, KawaiiSweetWorld, and Cupcakes Cookies and Cardio. They inspired me to take up baking as a personal hobby. Before I watched their videos, I did NOT wanted anything to do with it, because if I didn't like it, I ain't making it. So, I tried it. I baked for a week. I have to say, it was actually fun. I actually enjoyed it! I just had to let go of the fear and negativity that was holding me back.
The same fear and negativity concept applies to the "c" word, change. Change is not my friend. Autistic people seem to do things every day like a routine. Some days, their routine is different than the rest of the days. They adapt in this routine that if one little thing changes, let's say last minute trips to the store, or a last minute visit to a family member's house, it screws the routine up, and the Autistic person doesn't know what to do and their mind is all over the place. It gets to a point where they freak out (again, I'm Autistic, and I've been there on a huge number of occassions) and they are confused, upset, and scared. The routine is like clockwork for them, and one little change, they get upset. This is because change is new. Autistic people are more comfortable with the old than the new. Change can be scary, but my mom had to help me step out of my comfort zone, and she had to help me embrace the changes going on around me. Change happens, you cannot stop it. But you can try to help the Autistic person you know embrace change as a good thing. Inform them on all the positives, NOT the negatives. I know, you're probably wondering why I just said that. That's because if you do tell them about the negatives before hand, that will make them feel more upset and more afraid than before. I had to embrace the change of going to college, and I'm trying to embrace the big changes in my life as I turn 20 August 10th, trying to get the book published and out by late summer, mid to late fall, my second job as an advocate for Autism, weddings, parties, more nieces and/or nephews in the future, getting NEW glasses after FIVE YEARS tomorrow. I don't adjust well to change, but as Eric Idle said: always look on the bright side of life (da da, da dum, da dum, da dum), always look on the bri...just had myself a little sing along going on there. There's always a good thing that can occur during change. Just look on the good side of things, and let that negativity and fear go. You'll be alright, I promise.
That's what I wanted to talk about today. Hope you guys enjoyed reading it.
Anyway, I wanted to give you guys the blog I promised you I'd give you last Friday, but as I said, I was with family out of town for four days. I wanted to talk to you about two topics that everybody struggles with, but Autistic people seem to struggle with a bit worse (I'm a nineteen year old with Autism, so I've got a glimpse of how regular people and Autistic people deal with these issues). Those issues are trying new things and coping with change.
First, I want to talk about trying new things. I've tried numerous different things, like activities and FOOD, my whole life. I've always seemed to struggles with trying things that are new. For example, when I was in eighth grade, I went to Camp Marengo. One stormy night, they had chicken with sausage gravy. I had to take the plate because I do not like peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I was hungry, and I had to eat. I ended up eating, and I discovered it didn't taste that bad. I've tried different foods my whole life. Some were good, most were bad. As an Autistic person, it's hard to open myself to trying new things because of the fear of failure. I've got a more recent example, and by recent, I mean the past week. I've been watching YouTube baking videos from Rosanna Pansino, KawaiiSweetWorld, and Cupcakes Cookies and Cardio. They inspired me to take up baking as a personal hobby. Before I watched their videos, I did NOT wanted anything to do with it, because if I didn't like it, I ain't making it. So, I tried it. I baked for a week. I have to say, it was actually fun. I actually enjoyed it! I just had to let go of the fear and negativity that was holding me back.
The same fear and negativity concept applies to the "c" word, change. Change is not my friend. Autistic people seem to do things every day like a routine. Some days, their routine is different than the rest of the days. They adapt in this routine that if one little thing changes, let's say last minute trips to the store, or a last minute visit to a family member's house, it screws the routine up, and the Autistic person doesn't know what to do and their mind is all over the place. It gets to a point where they freak out (again, I'm Autistic, and I've been there on a huge number of occassions) and they are confused, upset, and scared. The routine is like clockwork for them, and one little change, they get upset. This is because change is new. Autistic people are more comfortable with the old than the new. Change can be scary, but my mom had to help me step out of my comfort zone, and she had to help me embrace the changes going on around me. Change happens, you cannot stop it. But you can try to help the Autistic person you know embrace change as a good thing. Inform them on all the positives, NOT the negatives. I know, you're probably wondering why I just said that. That's because if you do tell them about the negatives before hand, that will make them feel more upset and more afraid than before. I had to embrace the change of going to college, and I'm trying to embrace the big changes in my life as I turn 20 August 10th, trying to get the book published and out by late summer, mid to late fall, my second job as an advocate for Autism, weddings, parties, more nieces and/or nephews in the future, getting NEW glasses after FIVE YEARS tomorrow. I don't adjust well to change, but as Eric Idle said: always look on the bright side of life (da da, da dum, da dum, da dum), always look on the bri...just had myself a little sing along going on there. There's always a good thing that can occur during change. Just look on the good side of things, and let that negativity and fear go. You'll be alright, I promise.
That's what I wanted to talk about today. Hope you guys enjoyed reading it.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Echolalia and Special Attachments?
Sorry I haven't been on here blogging lately. I've been super busy running around all last weekend. Also, I was enjoying my summer vacation, and looking for a publisher to publish Meet My Autism.
I was asked by a mother whom I've been talking to quite a bit if I have any echolalia and/or special attachments to anything. So, I'm going to start this week off with this subject.
For those who don't know, Echolalia is when an Autistic child repeats what is being said to them or what they hear. For example, a person may say; "Why don't you go over there and ask politely for a turn?" And the autistic child would say; "Okay, I'll go over there and ask politely for a turn." Things like that, or movie quotes. I do recite a few movie quotes here and there when I'm by myself, but I do NOT have echolalia. I'm more of the "Okay, mom," "Okay, dad," and simple answers type of girl. I don't repeat movie quotes unless I'm in my room all by myself. That's all part of my own world. I didn't put it in quotes because I LOVE my own world. I'm always acting out my own every day adventures, and I truly am in my own state of peace in my own world. My world is a place for comfort, peace, and fun (I just noticed I went off track. I'l make a separate blog post about my world in a few...).
As far as special attachments, up until I was 11, I was way too overly attached to the famous purple dinosaur, Barney. Yeah, I was obsessed with Barney for the first eleven years of my life. I also liked VeggieTales a lot, too. I still have an attachment for sleeping with a stuffed animal at night. Reason being is because every time I do sleep with a stuffed animal at night, it just feels so right and so comforting, I don't exactly know why, it just does. I'm also have grown quite attached to my home, which might explain why I get so easily homesick if I'm away for more than 7-8 days. My mom will say that I'm VERY attached to my iPod because I'm always on it, and I agree with her. I had this doll of Molly from The Big Comfy Couch when I was little, and I took her everywhere around my house. One day, Molly was gone, and I was so upset. That was the start of learning something very valuable; sometimes you just need to let go. As I got older, my Barney toys were donated, most of my toys are in the attic (except a few dolls AND my Care Bear collection), clothes donated (some I really was attached to), and in their place came more things that seemed more appropriate for my age. The attachments I did end up giving away was really hard to let go. One attachment that I have still to this day from when I was six is Jesus Christ in my heart and in my life. That is one attachment I'm keeping forever.
So, that's what I have to say about this topic. Hope you guys liked reading it.
I was asked by a mother whom I've been talking to quite a bit if I have any echolalia and/or special attachments to anything. So, I'm going to start this week off with this subject.
For those who don't know, Echolalia is when an Autistic child repeats what is being said to them or what they hear. For example, a person may say; "Why don't you go over there and ask politely for a turn?" And the autistic child would say; "Okay, I'll go over there and ask politely for a turn." Things like that, or movie quotes. I do recite a few movie quotes here and there when I'm by myself, but I do NOT have echolalia. I'm more of the "Okay, mom," "Okay, dad," and simple answers type of girl. I don't repeat movie quotes unless I'm in my room all by myself. That's all part of my own world. I didn't put it in quotes because I LOVE my own world. I'm always acting out my own every day adventures, and I truly am in my own state of peace in my own world. My world is a place for comfort, peace, and fun (I just noticed I went off track. I'l make a separate blog post about my world in a few...).
As far as special attachments, up until I was 11, I was way too overly attached to the famous purple dinosaur, Barney. Yeah, I was obsessed with Barney for the first eleven years of my life. I also liked VeggieTales a lot, too. I still have an attachment for sleeping with a stuffed animal at night. Reason being is because every time I do sleep with a stuffed animal at night, it just feels so right and so comforting, I don't exactly know why, it just does. I'm also have grown quite attached to my home, which might explain why I get so easily homesick if I'm away for more than 7-8 days. My mom will say that I'm VERY attached to my iPod because I'm always on it, and I agree with her. I had this doll of Molly from The Big Comfy Couch when I was little, and I took her everywhere around my house. One day, Molly was gone, and I was so upset. That was the start of learning something very valuable; sometimes you just need to let go. As I got older, my Barney toys were donated, most of my toys are in the attic (except a few dolls AND my Care Bear collection), clothes donated (some I really was attached to), and in their place came more things that seemed more appropriate for my age. The attachments I did end up giving away was really hard to let go. One attachment that I have still to this day from when I was six is Jesus Christ in my heart and in my life. That is one attachment I'm keeping forever.
So, that's what I have to say about this topic. Hope you guys liked reading it.
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