Autistics often find themselves judged in the workplace not by their knowledge and skills, but by how well they perform “normalcy” in an office. To appear other than how they are, the Autistics must mask, as in putting on their happy worker faces and mimicking the “neurotypical” people around them,…
Tag: social skills
Podcast 0100, Season 6, Episode 10; 18 April 2023 Recording Number 100! Of course, it’s about education because that’s what dominates my life. Specifically, this is a reflection on reaching the end of our homeschooling experience. Transcript Welcome to Perspectives on Neurodiversity, a podcast dedicated to challenging myths and assumptions…
We have made the decision to continue with homeschooling, for many reasons. It’s frustrating, but we know the girls are doing much better academically and emotionally at home. Our daughters are going into the fourth and second grades. I’m conflicted because I know how important social skills are… and I…
Autistics struggle because most people have more social skills and extroverts with social skills lead most communities. By the age of six, teachers can accurately predict which students will be successful. That’s true in various nations, on several continents. Research has found, time and again, that the mastery of cultural norms…
Getting a job is difficult when you’re autistic. The data aren’t promising: 85 percent of autistic college-graduates lack full-time employment in their desired field. The job interview process works against us in ways it might not work against the physically disabled. Sadly, I’ve noted time and time again, we autistics…
Podcast Episode 0060; Season 04, Episode 24; March 16, 2021 Productive. I want to be productive. More precisely, I want to know I am contributing to our family by producing work that earns an income. I’m one of the 85% of autistic adults with a college degree and no full-time employment. That’s our…
Podcast 0052; Season 04, Episode 16; January 5, 2021 I’ve been reflecting a lot on friendships, the connections I don’t have. Many autistics I know are more social than I am, especially online. Not every autistic is an introvert, especially in virtual communities. My autistic traits and introversion lead to personal…
Followers of The Autistic Me blog and podcast send along emails and direct social media messages with topic suggestions and questions. Many of these, I have answered in the past. I try to address private questions when asked, as well. What questions should I be addressing? Which topics are valuable to…
Podcast Episode 0038; Season 04, Episode 02; September 1, 2020 To my disappointment, but not surprise, the most-read blog post on The Autistic Me discusses the research on autistics making other people uncomfortable from the moment they meet us. I have taught business courses for several years. As part of…
People are uncomfortable around me. I know that since I was in kindergarten or first grade. Research suggesting people form impressions of autistics within half a second doesn’t surprise me. I’m going to prepare a podcast on this topic, because I’m realizing the pandemic has somewhat freed me from trying…