We’re officially a homeschooling household. We notified the school district, in writing and via email, and we enrolled in a homeschooling curriculum. The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that since March, we’ve been “homeschooling” anyway. The remote learning provided by our daughters’ school was the best they could do in an…
Category: Writing
All things writing related in my life.
Trauma comes in many forms. I don’t wish to suggest they are all equal — they are not. But this blog post discusses the emotional abuse teachers intentionally and unintentionally inflict on students. As a teacher, I’m sure I’ve said things that upset a student over the last 30 years.…
Updating some notes on my life, for both personal reasons and to reconsider the aborted autobiography on life without knowing you are autistic, is depressing. A long list of personal and professional failings. Writing is my refuge, even though I haven’t made a career of it. When I get paid…
Recently, a Facebook follower asked what interests me. What are my passions? Some are surprised to learn that my interests and passions don’t include autism. I love music and art, but I’m great at neither music nor art. I am good with technology and love all things computer-related. So, naturally,…
Podcast Episode 0031; Season 03, Episode 03; October 14, 2019 My theory is that a need for order and predictability corresponds to a desire to reduce cognitive overhead. I seek to control my workspace, my spaces at home, and my belongings. I don’t seek to organize spaces that are not…
We are all more than what observers believe us to be. It’s been brought to my attention that The Autistic Me blog and podcast have been located and read by potential employers. I am not The Autistic Me, and anyone assuming to know me from this blog alone — or…
The year 2020 needs to be more relaxed, and that means adjusting my plans and goals. Now that I’m in my 50s, it doesn’t make much sense to keep chasing some goals that are unlikely. They might happen, but chasing them would be too emotionally and physically draining. Parenting Responsibility…
Podcast Episode 0033; Season 03, Episode 05; November 12, 2019 Getting to sleep and staying asleep are difficult for me and many autistics. Our daughters also struggle to fall asleep; they don’t remain asleep, either. We’ve tried melatonin, relaxation techniques, and quiet bedtime routines. A parent asked me for advice, but…
Q: I read your blog and listen to the podcast, but you don’t mention any of the positives of being autistic? Where is your autistic pride? I don’t have any autistic pride. That should be evident, as I replied to the parent asking me the question. It isn’t that I…
Midnight passed as I edited this post, trying to shape the words into something more eloquent. For as long as I can recall, I have worked late into the night on projects, seeming to think more clearly after dark in a relatively quiet setting. Yet, in these late night hours…