In my last blog post, I discussed how those of us with autism aren’t necessarily afraid of the unknown – despite common assumptions. As I explained, there’s not always a reason to fear what you don’t know. However, if you’ve had negative experiences in a familiar situation, it’s perfectly reasonable to feel anxious, because you […]
Category: Autism
As many of you know, I’ve been having a really difficult time finding a suitable support worker. Things were great until about a year ago. I had a fantastic support worker who, unfortunately, had to take a prolonged leave of absence due to health problems, and it’s been downhill since then. As I’ve mentioned before, […]
Easter is finally here! While many of us look forward to a long weekend, it’s important to remember that Easter can be a challenging time – especially for autistic children, young people, and adults. The combination of disrupted routines, crowds, strong smells, bright decorations, and unexpected noises can be overwhelming. All of this can place […]
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When Autism Makes Things Harder
I don’t often feel down about being autistic, and as many of you know, it can also be a real strength. But sometimes, autism presents challenges others don’t face, and there are moments when I honestly wish things were different. I recently had one of those moments. Limited Support Having a fantastic support worker has […]
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Autism: Navigating Hidden Needs
As I mentioned last week, many people with autism and other disabilities need adjustments at work to truly thrive. I often think of it this way: for some, accommodations are essential to simply do their jobs, while others can manage, but at a significant cost. And of course, it varies depending on the task—sometimes we’re […]
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Autism Isn’t a Problem to Solve
Have you ever noticed that some people still believe autism should be “fixed” or “cured”? It seems incredible, considering we now understand autism is a neurological difference—it’s simply how our brains are wired. A recent comment on my blog made me wonder what drives this persistent push for rehabilitation. Why is the ideal so often […]
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Why Autism Needs Genuine Validation
Those of us with autism often face challenges that extend beyond the everyday struggles everyone experiences. While everyone goes through difficult times, the difference is that autism is a lifelong condition, and our difficulties can be enduring, or at least long-lasting. When a new resident might understandably feel lonely during their first year in a […]
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Autism Reveals Invisible Struggles
Some people believe autistic individuals exaggerate when talking about their challenges. Statements like “I don’t want to live anymore if I have to use public transport” or “I’d rather die than make a phone call” are often met with skepticism. What’s worse is that some people have stopped listening to us, feeling we’re being unnecessarily […]
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been writing about personality, and you can find those posts here, here, here, here and here. Today, I’d like to summarise what I’ve discussed. The Five-Factor Model As a quick refresher, let me remind you of the personality dimensions in the five-factor model. Openness refers to a willingness to […]
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Neuroticism – Not Only Negative
Do you find yourself dwelling on things, and worrying about being misunderstood or disliked? Today, we’re going to dive into the fifth and final personality factor within the Five-Factor Model – namely, Neuroticism! You can find the previous blog posts about personality here, here, here, here and here. Has Certain Advantages People high in neuroticism […]