Friends and colleagues often include symbols and acronyms (and symbolic acronyms) within their social media profiles. These letterforms represent shared and self-selected identities. None of them “feel” quite right to me. That’s not a new issue for me, as I have written many times about my ambivalence regarding labels and…
Tag: identity
A Facebook follower asked why I do not use “Au” after my name to indicate I support the Au manifesto, the Autism Union statement of ideals. Do I not support the 10 points? Do I not like the community members? Is there something wrong with Au? What does the Âû…
Podcast Episode 0054; Season 04, Episode 18; February 2, 2021 Roy Richard Grinker is a Professor of Anthropology and International Affairs at George Washington University. His books include Unstrange Minds: Remapping the World of Autism. I met Dr. Grinker in May of 2007 while he was promoting Unstrange Minds, my favorite book on autism’s history.…
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…
Anosognosia is the state of denying a serious disability. In the most serious cases, it is a mental health disorder, causing the deaf to insist they can hear or the blind to insist they can see. Obviously, not a good thing and potentially dangerous. I have received e-mails critical of…
There is no “right answer” to the following, and generally I don’t think as much about this as others do. I don’t like many of the labels people with ASDs have adopted. I have no idea why, but I don’t care for autie, aspie, aspergian, or several other terms I’ve…
I attended a regional academic conference on Friday and had planned to attend Saturday, but one full day left me completely exhausted. I presented on autism and writing courses, in particular how we might better accommodate the needs of students with ASDs in our classrooms. I presented during the last…
Earlier today I was asked: “May I ask the reason you are even ON an ASD list if you’re so self-sufficient and never need any assistance for anything?” Of course, I’ve never claimed life is a solo project. My presentations begin with a reminder that most successful people depend on…
I am on track to receive my Ph.D formally this April or May, depending on university paperwork processing. The dissertation is done, approved by my adviser, and only minor edits remain. The university bureaucracy is certainly navigable, though it is essential to have extra copies of every form on file.…
I was informed recently, “People like you should be progressive Democrats because Republicans don’t care about people.” Activists are always blinded by prejudices… and if you decline to state an affiliation, they assume the “worst” and try to save your political soul. And people wonder why there is so much…