Asperger Syndrome: 50 important facts about having mild autism, by Captain Quirk (Autistic, Not Weird blog). Humorous and accurate!

Interoception: how do I feel?, by Cynthia Kim (Musings of an Aspie blog). “Interoception describes our sensitivity to sensations that originate in our bodies. Think pain, temperature, itch, sensual touch, sensations from our organs and muscles, hunger, thirst, and breathlessness. Interoceptive feedback is important for keeping our bodies in good working condition. Think of them as the body’s dashboard. Many autistic people have dampened or muted interoception. We just don’t seem to notice what’s going on in our bodies until it reaches a level that other people would find intolerable. And often when we do notice it, it goes from “oh that’s happening” to intolerable really darn fast. Interoceptive sensations–especially pain–may be unreliable indicators in autistic individuals. When you combine muted interoception with poor executive function–which may be further impaired by the stress of illness–you’ve got a recipe for disaster.”

The Neurotypicals’ Guide to Adults with Sensory Processing Disorder, by Rachel S. Schneider.  Rachel has SPD, and has written a very understandable description of life with SPD to help others understand. She outlines the eight senses, explains SPD using imagery of both a traffic jam and a soundboard operated by an incompetent technician, and lists some treatments, tools and tricks that may be helpful.

Sensory Processing, by Cynthia Kim (Musings of an Aspie blog). A very thorough article linking to several others she has written on the subject, titled Sensory Sensitivities and Atypical Sensory Processing, The Difference Between a Sensory Sensitivity and Disliking Something, Sensory Sensitivities: Understanding Triggers, Sensory Diet, Tactile Defensiveness, Sensory Seeking, Sensory Sensitivities Survey Responses, Lost in Space, and Interoception. Very detailed and very readable!

AS vs. NT Culture: Two Worlds, One Dysfunctional Family, by Kirsten Lindsmith. Kirsten looks at neurologically mixed relationships (between an autistic and allistic [non-autistic] person)- as two conflicting cultures trying to interact, and comments that ‘All too often, the burden to communicate “correctly” is placed entirely on autistic people’.

She also states that ‘many, if not most of the disabling aspects of autism are not “autism” so much as the environment, expectations, and norms of the dominant culture.’

The importance of play, by Cynthia (Musings of an Aspie blog). The play that many autistic kids engage in is often not considered “right” because it’s not educational, yet the play that is encouraged by therapists more accurately fits the description of work.  I loved her personal reflections at the end about how the useful skills she learned through “incorrect” play as a child, are now benefiting her as an adult.

What’s so special about a special interest, by Cynthia (Musings of an Aspie blog). A great explanation about special interests, their intensity or focus, the specific need/s it fulfils, the danger of them becoming consuming, and the possibility of turning a special interest into a career.