Neurodiversity – Page 14

My top 10 Christmas Hits

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like F*** This Sigh at Night It’s the Most Triggering Time of the Year Stop the Carvery Mistletoe and Whine Shite Christmas Jingle Hell Rocking and Sobbing around the Christmas Tree Happy Xmas (It’s Nearly Over) Thank F*** it Isn’t Christmas Every Day

Side-eye conversations with Iggy

TW CW suicide child death bullying Note: Media interest in our story is not welcome. Names have been changed, so don’t bother googling us. My first-born son killed himself earlier this year, out of the blue, aged just fifteen. For background, since starting high school in 2017 Iggy had been struggling increasingly with anxiety. InContinue reading “Side-eye conversations with Iggy”

‘Tis the season to be overwhelmed tra la la la la fuck off fuck off

There are numerous friends and acquaintances with whom I’ve suggested meeting up for a chat over a run, walk, coffee. Just might take me a while to get around to it. This time of year is always overwhelming for me – balancing the demands of the busy period at work, the pressure of family birthdaysContinue reading “‘Tis the season to be overwhelmed tra la la la la fuck off fuck off”

Halloween

Are you an introvert? Do you avoid calling round to see people, unless specifically invited? Are you sensitive to sunlight? Do you like dark clothing? Are you drawn to furry animals? Like wolves? Ever enjoyed hanging upside down like a bat? Do you recoil when you see a crucifix? If you answered yes to mostContinue reading “Halloween”

Izzy’s birthday (TW CW child suicide)

CW TW child death suicide bullying These are not my children’s real names. Media attention is not welcome, thanks. I do not consent for my words nor images to be republished anywhere else. Izzy’s birthday is on Monday, but she’s with her dad, my first husband, for half-term. This evening I took her out forContinue reading “Izzy’s birthday (TW CW child suicide)”

Online friends and running buddies

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”

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”