Here is the story of how Iggy’s nickname came about (many, but not all of you already know, and I realise the similar names of Iggy and Izzy have caused confusion to some). Ethan (Iggy) was my eldest son, who sadly died in April 2019. Iggy had two younger sisters: Isabel (Izzy) and Jessica (Jess)Continue reading “How Iggy got his nickname”
Author Archives: Ausome Charlie
Lockdown survival tips
Pretty much all of my lockdown survival tips are here in one post. A very British pot of tea and a packet of hot cross buns (from the freezer, so ignore the March “best before” date). And if ever there’s a time to treat yourself to proper butter, this is it, on toasted hot crossContinue reading “Lockdown survival tips”
Sensory sensitivity to noise
#AutismAcceptanceWeek Yesterday I was completely taken down by my sensory sensitivity to noise. For me, noise sensitivity is not about volume, but I get easily overwhelmed by different competing noises and sometimes by certain frequencies e.g. the low rumble of the air conditioning in the office. Yesterday the competing noises were my daughters playing MinecraftContinue reading “Sensory sensitivity to noise”
Day 1 Home-working while home-educating
Day 1 Home-working and home-educating 23 March 2020 “I’ve got this all figured out”, I thought. “This will be a piece of cake. I am only part-time, and I am lucky to have my husband (a musician) around every day to help…” First up I Skyped my line manager about temporarily changing my hours to startContinue reading “Day 1 Home-working while home-educating”
Anxiety and bereavement
I’m struggling with anxiety again, even though I felt strong over the weekend. Example 1: When our cat Ermy goes out for longer than usual, then there’s a post on the village Facebook page about a cat that has been run over. My immediate thoughts “Ermy is not coming back this time. My daughters areContinue reading “Anxiety and bereavement”
Rant about NHS mental health support
Please just indulge me this rant, without any overwhelming flurry of concerned personal messages. I’m basically OK today, and about to get stuck into some rock painting. This rant concerns NHS mental health services for adults in my area (Worcestershire). In the months following my son’s death last April, I realised I require some specialistContinue reading “Rant about NHS mental health support”
Unsolicited advice from supposed neurotypical
Last June I was on the train to London. I was disorganised, panicking that I’d forgotten my phone charger, rooting flustered through every pocket of my laptop bag, awkwardly asking the management consultant type opposite me if I had dropped my credit card (which was actually safe in my coat pocket). Later he asked meContinue reading “Unsolicited advice from supposed neurotypical”
Making the Stonewall Top 100 Inclusive Employers List
What it means to me that my employer made it into the Stonewall Top 100: I have always been passionate about diversity and inclusion, partly because I am #autistic and bisexual and hence I identify as a member of an intersectional minority group. In our family there are gay, bisexual and gender-fluid young people, someContinue reading “Making the Stonewall Top 100 Inclusive Employers List”
Masking thread 1
27/12/2019 Just found two unpublished blogs about masking. Masking part 1 Recent social media posts about masking have drawn mixed opinions, and made me think about my thickest masks. I can’t help masking to impress at job interviews, selling skills I don’t really have. Oh, I’d revolutionise their HR systems, affect culture changes. The resultingContinue reading “Masking thread 1”
Masking thread 2 (TW suicide)
From Twitter 28/12/2019 I talked yesterday about my “enjoying a night out with the girls clubbing mask”. I have got to be honest, I have a much thicker mask. I weld it to my face, and it doesn’t just slip when it fails – it cracks wide open. I put this mask on when IContinue reading “Masking thread 2 (TW suicide)”
Ausome Charlie 