Saving seats: Metro’s new ads raise awareness of invisible disabilities (Washington Post). I hope that Australia will follow suit in making accommodations for people with invisible disabilities! It’s great that the general public wants to protect disability access, but I have seen too many people with invisible disabilities harangued for using spaces they were entitled to, or having to explain their disability to strangers (and not be believed!).
Sensory Overload description
Adult With Nonverbal Autism Shares What Sensory Overload Feels Like for Her, by Erin Polk (sharing Sophie’s story). Great description of sensory overload – I could *feel* the overload the way she described it!
Practical Advocacy
Practical Advocacy, by Leia Prime (Respectfully Connected blog). First impressions count with some kiddos, and they don’t forget! A great tip here, to write up a “tip sheet” for people meeting your child for the first time – and some suggestions how to do this.
Outside the lines
Outside the Lines, by Naomi (Respectfully Connected blog). A great description of the number of ways her family is different, and how the choices they have made, work for them. Diversity and acceptance!
Everyday sensory exercises
Sensory Exercises around the house, by Shawna (NotTheFormerThings blog). Some great suggestions for how to incorporate a sensory diet into everyday life! I loved the picture of the full-body floor mopping :).
Does age change autism?
Does Autism change when growing older?, by Through My Autistic Eyes. After several examples, her conclusion is that autism doesn’t change as one grows older – autistic people just learn to adjust to the neurotypical world.
Ending the Mommy Wars
So What? (One question that will end the Mommy Wars before they begin), by Aprille (BeautifulInHisTime blog). So much truth in this post! We seek validation and justification for our choices by having others agree with us, rather than trusting in our own decision-making abilities. These discussions rarely change anybody else’s mind, and just bring frustration all around. Our decisions are OUR decisions, and don’t affect anybody who isn’t in our family.
Her cup runs over
Her cup runs over, by AboutABugg. A great description of how many children on the spectrum manage to “hold it together” and act “normal” until they are in a safe place to release their tension.
Colin Fischer
Colin Fischer, by Ashley Edward Miller. An Aspie detective mystery! Colin Fischer is a very stereotypical Aspie, who is socially awkward at school, and very bright. When there is a mystery at school, and the wrong person (who also has a history of bullying Colin) is accused, Colin solves the mystery and clears the false accusation.
Nobody’s Perfect
Nobody’s Perfect, by Marlee Matlin. A great book for siblings and disability acceptance! A new girl starts at school, and seems very aloof, despite the others trying to be friendly. She seems to be nearly perfect at everything, and it’s only late in the book that it’s revealed that she has an autistic brother, who she is initially ashamed of. One of her classmates, who is deaf, begins teaching the boy sign language, to the delight of his family, and his sister learns to accept disabilities.
lovenlearning 