It’s a miserable rainy day and I’ve woken with a cold and sore throat, so I’m not sure whether to run this morning. Running is what passes for a social life in real life for me. Side eye conversations, comfortable silences. It’s a visual and kinetic stim for me, and helps keep me grounded andContinue reading “Online friends and running buddies”
Category Archives: Autism
Ok to not be ok?
#WorldMentalHealthDay #OKNotToBeOK Is it OK to not be OK? This World Mental Health day, I want to challenge the usual rhetoric. “It’s OK not to be OK”… I know what you mean. It means it’s OK to admit to not being OK. Remove the stigma of mental health issues. Encourage people to be open aboutContinue reading “Ok to not be ok?”
Toxic Positivity
I’ve been hearing this phrase banded around on Twitter. Usually directed at the neurodiversity movement, or more specifically at “Pollyanna Autism advocates”, by our critics. I had a taste of toxic positivity yesterday, and now the meaning and consequences are clearer to me. I’ve been struggling with IBS worse than ever since my son IggyContinue reading “Toxic Positivity”
Iggy Rocks
“Iggy Rocks” are rocks painted in memory of Iggy, with things Iggy liked and symbols of things that mattered to him. Could be a Deadpool mask, could be a Pride flag or an autism acceptance infinity symbol. It doesn’t need to be complicated and impressive. Write “Facebook: Iggy Rocks” on the back. My Iggy RocksContinue reading “Iggy Rocks”
ABA for neurotypicals
Note: No neurotypicals were harmed in the making of this amusing anecdote. When I was 17, I had a job washing up in a pub (The Rose and Castle in Ansty). The manageress was an intimidating neurotypical. She would breeze in, look me straight in the eyeballs and ask “You alright, Charlie?”. I would alwaysContinue reading “ABA for neurotypicals”
On the spectrum
I used to be on the spectrum. Then some unqualified stranger on the Internet kindly advised me I was just unbalanced and disturbed. I fell right off
Animal magic
Being around wild animals never fails to soothe me, whatever my mood. This could just be feeding the ducks on the canal near our house or watching the squirrels try to get to the seeds in our garden bird feeders. If I see a woodpecker or a kingfisher, my spirits soar. Dudley Zoo isn’t exactlyContinue reading “Animal magic”
Ausome Charlie Rocks
I like to paint rocks. It is a visual and tactile stim for me, and helps calm me down (as I can’t just go out running every time I need to calm down, otherwise I would wear my feet out). This is surprisingly easy to do with Google images, metallic markers or acrylic paint pensContinue reading “Ausome Charlie Rocks”
Storm brewing
Does anybody else #ActuallyAutistic or #Neurodivergent feel quite unwell when there’s a storm brewing that never quite fully brews? The pressure this week has really knocked me about, got into my head and my sinuses. My dear nan used to say “ooh it’s close” (then she’d run around unplugging everything 🤣)
Nothing planned
Me: “Glad I managed my 5K social run, but now I’ve nothing planned for the rest of the day” Husband: “What shall we do then?” Me: “No, you misunderstand I’ve nothing planned. It doesn’t mean I haven’t planned anything as yet. It means I’ve planned to do nothing”. Husband: “Really?!” I’m a little hyper andContinue reading “Nothing planned”
Ausome Charlie 