April brings “Autism {fill in the blank}” day and month. Is it “Autism Awareness,” “Autism Acceptance,” or something else? I don’t have the time or energy to care. Each year, I rant about the month. Most people are “aware” of autism, though I question if that awareness helps anyone. My…
Tag: physical health
Dear 2023, you have already been way too interesting. We’d appreciate a change to “boring” mode for the remainder of your days. And, definitely, no more near-death experiences. We’re disappointed in you, 2023. We’re already looking ahead to 2024. As 2023 began, we thought the year was going to be uneventful.…
Leigh has totally rocked her return to campus and even added her first major activity outside school: playing in a rock band. Her first show will even be in a local bar known for live music. Living in Austin, the home of “Austin City Limits” and SXSW, performing in a…
Podcast Episode 0078, Season 5, Episode 9; 30 November 2021 Running for Autism, a project of the Ordinary Marathoner Foundation. Dr. Scott Frasard is a Director, Vice President, President of the Advisory Council of the Ordinary Marathoner Foundation. Scott Frasard lives in Pflugerville, Texas, and is an avid runner/triathlete of almost ten years. He…
Podcast Episode 0066; Season 04, Episode 30; June 18, 2021 Gary Martinez is a fitness trainer and father of Monica, a 15-year-old autistic young woman. He describes his choice to leave a “Big Box” fitness center for independent fitness training as becoming “an athlete for life” focused on Monica. Gary integrates sensory activities into Monica’s…
Podcast Episode 0050; Season 04, Episode 14; December 15, 2020 Self-Care is Self-Preservation When does being autistic mean we’re disabled? Autism becomes a disability when we cannot perform routine daily functions, either for fun or work. Daniel Sansing and Ben Sorensen discuss the autistic need for self-care. Autistic masking and struggles to “fit” into groups leave…
Since August, I’ve lost a bit more than ten pounds. In a pandemic, without going to a gym, without a major change in diet, I am losing weight. We do eat relatively healthy meals. I also ride an exercise bike at least six miles daily. Many days, I ride twice,…
And so the “Coronavirus Disease 2019” (COVID-19) has led to the cancellation of my medical appointments (including a minor surgery) , the closure of our YMCA, an extended spring break for our daughters, runs on basic grocery items, a national toilet paper shortage (that isn’t real, but caused by panic),…
Making excuses bothers me, yet here I am apologizing. The Autistic Me Podcast and the blog are both a bit off-track as 2020 begins. Despite hoping I could manage a twice-monthly or so schedule for the podcast and weekly posts for the blog, my recent exercise-induced knee injury and some general…
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…