Perspectives on Neurodiversity

We've lived in four states. Now, in Central Texas, we're home. Central California was the fire and brimstone Hell. Minneapolis was the frozen Nordic Hell. Pittsburgh? The drivers are from Hell. Here outside Austin, we're enjoying good weather… and not driving. Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme   YouTu...

The Autistic Me existed before I became Daddy Scott. Parenthood isn't easy for anyone. Being foster parents and adoptive parents includes some extra challenges. In this podcast episode, I reflect on our five years as a family. Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWy...

On the first day of class, I usually tell my students I'm not an expert on most topics. When I don't know something, I admit it. And then, I obsessively try to fill in the gaps in my knowledge. I cannot comprehend not seeking out more information on almost any topic. I've looked up some pretty odd things because my ignorance upset me. Autistics sometimes forget that we immerse ourselves in our fas...

The quirky, witty, caffeinated, and bearded Australian media personality Ben Sorensen talks with us about humor, masking, and life-hacking. Follow Ben at BenSorensen1 on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Ben: https://www.bensorensen1.com https://www.facebook.com/BenSorensen1/   https://allmylinks.com/bensorensen1   The Autistic Me: Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/   Facebook: https://www.f...

The quirky, witty, caffeinated, and bearded Australian media personality Ben Sorensen talks with us about humor, masking, and life-hacking. Follow Ben at BenSorensen1 on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Ben: https://www.bensorensen1.com https://www.facebook.com/BenSorensen1/   https://allmylinks.com/bensorensen1   The Autistic Me: Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/   Facebook: https://www.f...

I've always been anxious. I was probably born anxious. Is that an autistic trait? It seems to be one I share with most autistics I meet. Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt   Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/  

The most-read blog post on The Autistic Me discusses the research on autistics making other people uncomfortable almost instantly. Dozens of research studies replicate the finding that autistics, something about us, instantly makes other people apprehensive, uncomfortable, and anxious. Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/   Twitter: https://twit...

The pandemic has taught me that I would like to continue teaching online or working remotely, homeschooling our daughters, and limiting errands to the essentials. I'm sorry this has hurt so many businesses. I do empathize with the economic suffering of others. But, I don't imagine we'll be rushing to get out and about in a year or two. The Autistic Me is quite comfortable at home with my family an...

Autistics often find technology easier to deal with than people. Some prefer animals, some prefer music. I like things that are predictable and follow rules. https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ https://twitter.com/autisticme

Do my autistic traits change based on my diet? Only if you try to take my pastries, cookies, or donuts from me! https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ https://twitter.com/autisticme

The holiday season includes a lot of sensory inputs, social interactions, traveling, and more. In this episode, I offer a few tips based on our experiences as a family.  https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ https://twitter.com/autisticme

Getting to sleep and staying asleep are difficult for me and many autistics. A parent asked me for advice, but I'm still trying to find my own solution to the challenges of sleep. http://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ https://twitter.com/autisticme

Driving requires a lot of cognitive focus, which isn't easy with constant sensory input. Autism complicates what some people take for granted. In the United States, driving can be nearly essential for education, work, and medical care.  http://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ https://twitter.com/autisticme

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 mine, unlike some of the OCD individuals I know. Your space can be messy - but not mine. You can use whatever pencil you want - I'll use my favorite brand.  http://www.tameri.co...

My wife and I are like other parents: unsure of ourselves and doing our best to be good role models. If there is something different about being an autistic parent, I'm not sure what that might be.  Note: Forgive the quality. Recorded in an empty room in our new house with horrible echoing. 

I hope this third season of The Autistic Me Podcast meets audience expectations. If you leave comments or email me, I'll do my best to address the issues of concern. It would be nice to have more guests and maybe a cohost or two for some open-ended discussions. Please share your suggestions. http://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ https://twitter.com/autisticme   The...

Unabridged Press is changing media for good (double meaning intended), expanding and elevating digital media, first, and primarily by creating high-quality audio podcasts about topics, people, and places previously underrepresented. A respect for the environment, investors, work partners, and society will be woven into the company's work, our purchasing, and beyond. The organization is a for-profi...

I am not a success. I am not an academic inspiration story. I could write a book about my experiences as a student and educator. I've started just such a project several times, and each time I've decided it isn't helpful since it is one failure after another. There's a lot more to say than what follows, but it's enough to remind people that education is no better than any other path for an autisti...

Daniel Sansing discusses his interest in writing and communication theories. Sansing studies academic composition and teaching composition courses.  The myth that autistics are only concrete thinkers dismisses the uniqueness of individuals. Yes, some of us are concrete thinkers... and we can still study theories, too.  I study rhetoric and writing, but not first-year college composition, which is...

Three topics generate the most traffic to The Autistic Me: Relationships, Education, and Employment. I'm not really an expert in any of these areas, but people seem to assume I know something.  If you have questions or suggestions, be sure to visit the blog page, Facebook, or Twitter.  http://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ https://twitter.com/autisticme    

Daniel Sansing discusses the complications of disclosing an autism diagnosis. When do we tell friends, family, schools, and employers? What are the risks and benefits of disclosing we are autistic? 

Heather Conroy, the co-founder of Evolve Coaching, discusses coaching autistic individuals as they develop life and employment skills.  Visit Evolve on the web at  https://www.evolve-coaching.org  

Do autistics have more health problems and injuries? I believe so, based on my experiences. It is difficult for me to notice warning signs that might alert neurotypical individuals. With sensory overload, new inputs are ignored or unnoticed because we process so much input. When we don't "hear" what our bodies are trying to express, we end up with medical emergencies. 

We discuss house hunting with Prof. Dayna Goldstein. For the neurodiverse, spaces need to meet our distinct needs. The wrong space can cause stress and make it difficult to decompress. 

Joe Farrell discusses the Joey Travolta Film Camp, Arts for Autism, and Evolve coaching. Joe moved to Pittsburgh in 2008 to pursue his Master's of Science in Education and Community Agency Counseling degree from Duquesne University and began working with children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Substance Abuse Disorder...