Aspieland

This episode is the memorial service for John Knoblock. Kathy is extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve and support the Aspieland community. Thank you for your patronage and support of Aspieland. This podcast was very important to John. One important way to honor John's legacy is for you to continue to grow in your understanding of others, grow in compassion, acceptance, and love for...

This subject is one those that impacts the relationship dynamic in almost every encounter.  We felt this was important enough to review and then talk about how this effects the Neurodiverse relationship.  "Masking" is one of the many ways that those of us on the Spectrum hide ourselves from others.  We try to hide our autistic tendencies so that people in the Neurotypical world see us as...

My wife and I found that this subject is one those that impacts the relationship dynamic in almost every encounter.  We felt this was important enough to review and then talk about how this effects the Neurodiverse relationship.  "Masking" is one of the many ways that those of us on the Spectrum hide ourselves from others.  We try to hide our autistic tendencies so that people in the Neu...

In the Neuro-Diverse relationship, sudden changes and hard impacts can really test yourself and your relationship. This podcast is the final part of the three part series.  As we finish exploring all the ways a sudden impact in your life,  just such an impact was delivered to my wife and I in the for of a cancer diagnosis. But it wasn't just the diagnosis that made the sudden impacts so hard...

In the Neuro-Diverse relationship, sudden changes and hard impacts can really test yourself and your relationship. This podcast is the second in a three part series which explores all the ways a sudden impact in your life,  just such an impact was delivered to my wife and I in the for of a cancer diagnosis. But it wasn't just the diagnosis that made the sudden impacts so hard on either the  p...

Ever have a sudden experience that changed your life?  In the Neuro-Diverse relationship, sudden changes and hard impacts can really test yourself and your relationship. After just such an impact was delivered to my wife and I in the for of a cancer diagnosis.  But it wasn't just the diagnosis that made the sudden impacts so hard on the person on the spectrum, or on the Neuro-typical partner....

"Masking" is one of the many ways that those of us on the Spectrum hide ourselves from others.  We try to hide our autistic tendencies so that people in the Neurotypical world see us as one of them.  It's a method of acceptance we have been doing most of our lives with varying degrees of success. Todays visit we talk about how masking manifests itself.  We also visit some troublesom...

Through the years, there have been many attempts at finding proper therapeutic methods for "curing" Autism and ASD.  Those of you who are older may recall the advertising campaigns launched as a result of higher incidents of Autism diagnosis that were rendered in the late 1960's and well into the '70's.  The idea was to "eradicate this awful disease" as was so co...

Have you ever needed to let someone know about yourself?  Self-advocacy is all about improving your life situation be it work, school or personal relationships by finding ways to advance the needs that you have in a meaningful and collaborative way. In this, the second part of our discussion on advocacy, I discuss the idea of advocating for yourself.  I have, as my guest, Nathan Morgan, who is a s...

For those of us on the spectrum, getting through work or school or even everyday environments can be difficult.  This happens because of our sensitivities to light, temperature and other surroundings.  Sometimes these issues get in the way of our ability to work or study effectively. This podcast is a 2-part lesson on advocacy - and especially self-advocacy.  How do we approach someone to work out...

I can remember being in my early twenties.  It was a tumultuous time.  Trying to keep it all straight was a real mess for me because I am on the spectrum, but at the time did not know it.  I struggled and struggled with just about every aspect of the new adult life I was trying to live. Most of you who are past that time period in your life have gone through some rough times as well, regardless wh...

Every so often during the course of my research I find a resource or organization that really stands out.  This podcast is about one such organization.  By most business standards this would be considered a small org (organization).  But it has a heart for autistic people and for those of us on the spectrum with a fierce stability. Even though their roster of employees is small, they have gone to...

Diagnosing Autism can be a very daunting process.  In some cases, especially in adults, the process can take several doctors, a multitude of tests and questions, and in some cases a fair amount of out-of-pocket expense. So why do we bother?  For some, it is a simple need to know for certain what we already suspect.  In the case of our children or a young adult, it could mean the difference between...

It is always a good thing when we get to meet new people.  For those of us on the spectrum, it can be especially true.  Meeting new people enhances our view of life and helps us to understand one another regardless of whether we are Neurodiverse or Neurotypical. For Aspies however, meeting another person on the spectrum is very much needed.  Not only do you engage in community, but you see just ho...

Have you ever been somewhere and felt like a puzzle piece was missing?  Almost as though you get this feeling in your gut that tells you that you don't belong there?  For those of us on the spectrum, that feeling troubles us a lot.  Not so much about places mind you - but about living. In this episode I talk about changing your paradigm.  Shifting from one set of thoughts to another.  Finding...

This is the second part of our discussion on the struggles of NT spouses and their partners.  To re-iterate,  we (my wife and I) have received many messages regarding some strong issues and struggles of Neurodiverse couples and especially those of neurotypical spouses. Our concerns for these issues brought us to make this two-part discussion.  If you have not yet heard the first part, please pause...

We have received many messages regarding the issues and struggles of Neurodiverse couples and especially those neurotypical spouses and some issues that they face. We (my wife and I) have been so very concerned that we immediately set out to help with exactly this issue concerning neurotypical spouses and the suspicion of the significant partner's being on the spectrum.  Specifically  - the s...

In this, the second part of the topic "Getting Things Done" we continue to look at those executive Functions we all share (NT or ASD).  How do we manage to finish projects or begin new ones? These functions handle how we organize, prioritize, recall details, keep track of how where doing and even how we use self-control in our daily lives.  Which functions are more prominent for me?  For...

Ever wonder what gets you going in the morning?  How in the world do we manage to finish projects or begin new ones?  Most of these and a whole host of other things are managed by what are called "Executive Functions".  These functions handle how we organize, prioritize, recall details, keep track of how where doing and even how we use self-control in our daily lives. For those of us on...

We continue our visit with Carrie Donnell about the needs of children on the autism spectrum  when it comes to being treated in a hospital  emergency room, an emergency clinic, or even in the doctors office.  Training in the understanding of stims, sensitivities and meltdowns is critical to quality care by the medical community.   In this episode, we learn about ways to advocate for your child whe...

Being a parent of an child on the spectrum is a daunting experience.  Many times there is a need to advocate for your child.  The realization of the need is expanding, because there are so many children that have so many things to be advocated for. Not the least of these is to gain understanding of the needs of children on the autism spectrum  when it comes to being treated in a hospital  emergenc...

Ever felt like you were drowning in bad feelings?  Our world (whether Spectrum or NT) seems like its just a lot of downers.  According to research, we apparently are genetically designed with negative factors.  This 'bend' towards negativity can really effect our attitude and outlook on life.  This is especially evident in the life of those of us with AS/ASD. Our anxiety levels are very...

Have you ever found yourself looking for resources to help you understand AS/ASD?  If you have, then the chances are pretty good that you will find lots of books, tapes, videos and web sites (especially websites) that are so negative that you can't find a ray of help in it. The trick to finding real help that is constructive and hopeful is to carefully look for positives.  Positive words that...

Sorting out your feelings (and we all have them  - both AS/ASD and neurotypical) and learning to really listen for those feeling is important to our neurodiversity.  Those of us with AS/ASD are thirsty for relationships that are real and heartfelt.   Yes, it's true.  My wife and I finally wrap up our series on Navigating the Neurodiverse marriage.  We discuss the importance of empathy and exp...

Sometimes our closest relationships, which are usually the  committed ones, are the most difficult to maintain.   Emotions get mixed up with communication and  - blam! - instant conflict. Or is it really a conflict?  Or just a garbled communication? In this episode Kathy and I visit some of those issues and some possible solutions.  Whether you are the NT or the Aspie in the relationship, this sec...