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…
Tag: family
Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in a shelter-in-place order for our county in Central Texas. As an autistic parent and teacher, I’m not bothered by the order to remain home as much as possible. This is my preferred routine, anyway, with some exceptions. My wife and I are introverts, obviously.…
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…
Exercise is a matter of staying alive and healthy for me. When I don’t exercise every two to four hours, I get a headache and chest pains. The palsy increases, as do my autistic sensory issues. Add to this the inevitable anxiety (panic), I know exactly what I need to…
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…
Moving isn’t easy for anyone. It is one of the most stressful life events we experience, yet people move several times during their lives. We know that moving depends on many factors, and some of those are also stressful. We move to… Pursue our career goals. Remain employed when transferred. Attend…
The Autistic Me has been silent for much of 2019 because so many things are happening (mainly good things) that I don’t believe are appropriate to share until those things are finalized. We’ve been parents since October 2015. It became official this year, when the adoption of our daughters was…
As a blogger and podcaster, I missed most of February and March of 2019. This academic year has overwhelmed me physically and emotionally, and I admit I’m not up to the workload required of a full-time instructor with 140 students. The expectation that college writing instructors can and should have…
The autistic me is the disabled me. Last week, I sat for an interview conducted by a graduate student interested in autistic adults and our educational experiences. The interview offered a chance to reflect on how different communities understand the label “autistic.” I also reflected on the nature of disability…
Here we are on December 31, 2018, and many of us reflect on the past year and make plans for the coming year. As readers know, 2018 has included all the elements of this blog since 2007 — and the cyclical nature of my life since at least junior high and…