Auditory Processing Disorder – something that seems quite common alongside autism. The diagnostic process in Australia is a formal test administered by an audiologist, which differs from the article (observation by neurologist). Some great quotes from autistic adults with APD are included in the article.
Supporting Anxiety
Tips to support kids experiencing anxiety. The tips are good, but I particularly love this wheel! Great for those that don’t have the more specific words to outline how they’re feeling.
Top 10 things to accept
Top ten things I wish you would accept, no questions asked – by Lydia Wayman (of Autistic Speaks). Seems so obvious, when you read it! Very thankful to autistic adults for sharing their thoughts.
A silent challenge
A silent challenge, by Anna Lund. She accepted a challenge raised by non-verbal friends of hers to spend an entire day without speaking – she could write, use body language and sounds only. Her diary of the day – experiences and feelings, were very interesting to read, to help to understand what non-verbal people experience in a very verbal world.
Peace, not hatred
If I may be so bold, by Lydia from Autistic Speaks. Recaps some conversations she’s had with autism-hating parents, and her desire (for their sake!) for them to accept that autism is a part of their child, their child will find their own way in life – which will look different from a NT life and that’s fine. Peace, not hatred. Some good examples from her own life, also.
What neurodiversity isn’t
What neurodiversity isn’t. Accepting the pervasiveness of autism doesn’t mean giving up on your child. There are parts of autism to be celebrated, and also challenges to be mitigated – so change the goal from self-camouflage to self-actualisation.
Functional behaviour
Rethinking functional behaviour – and the tyranny of made-up deadlines. The author states that ALL behaviour is functional (even stimming, whose function is to calm and soothe). She also exhorts parents to not put artificial deadlines on their child’s development, thereby losing their child’s childhood in the busyness of early intervention.
Pain perception
Aspergers, pain perception and body awareness. Hypo- and hyper-sensitivity to pain, and the resultant need to be vigilant so that illnesses and injuries don’t escalate.
Medical care difficulties
Barriers to Effective Medical Care for Autistic Adults. How atypical pain thresholds, anxiety, sensory issues and social difficulties combine to make seeking medical attention extremely difficult for many on the spectrum. A very eye-opening article!
Conversational difficulties
Words, by The Third Glance. Detailed description of a conversation she is on the edges of, wants to participate in – and the struggles she encounters just to keep up with it.
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