Dustin's Dynasty

As we know in the autistic world, the age one becomes an adult is 18, at least by law they do. They can mostly make their own decisions that they see fit. But are they making the best decisions?  That’s what a live and learn has to be when one has to experience those personal freedoms. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://dustinsdynastyusa.com/2021/07/15/decisions-decisions/

This week in the wellness department has been a challenge for me. Results haven’t proven as well and the drive to keep going was lacking earlier last week, even one day, temptation drove me away from the goal in mind of walking, something I know is a must do in my fight to continue to lose weight in this journey. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://dustinsdynastyusa.com/2021/07/1...

Oftentimes when we try to relate autistics with being employed, autistics and employers alike often think it is impossible. I at times think I don’t want to work and like many others think it is easier to become a vegetable. But what good what that do? This episode is also available as a blog post: http://dustinsdynastyusa.com/2021/07/13/hireautisticadults-wanting-to-work/

As an autistic, it can be hard at times to maintain a positive outlook on life. Being independent can deter this greatly to the point that negativity brews until you have an outlet, specifically a person that supports you to vent this too. It can be a challenge for them to hear your constant rants of negativity time and time again. Therefore, it is essential to have a positive outlook on your life...

Monday, I competed in my second 5K competitive walk this year. While I had my concerns that brought a great amount of intense fear, I to the contrary (like many things I do) did quite well. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://dustinsdynastyusa.com/2021/07/07/wellness-wednesday-the-motivation-point/

Tired of focusing my Tuesday blog posts toward the gloom and doom of COVID. I have decided to re-shift Tuesday’s focus towards the need to hire autistic adults. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://dustinsdynastyusa.com/2021/07/06/hireautisticadults-working-is-beneficial/

Throughout my life I have experienced many bouts of anxiety when presented the opportunity when something different presents itself. Oftentimes it throws me into this catastrophic fear that something bad is going to happen, when in reality once I do it, I know that it is the best thing for me to do and that I will have a blast doing it. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://dustins...

This week, I have shared a few Tik Tok’s about being diagnosed in the 1990s and not knowing some autism behaviors that are common today. We just did them, we didn’t know the jargon that is used for them today. One must also understand that given one’s space it needs to be their safe space and they are free to express themselves in the way they wish. This episode is also available as a blog post: h...

Making a lifestyle change is a big journey. Being in for over three months and 36 or so pounds makes it seem so easy when it is absolutely not. People think as you get into it for this length of time it gets easier. While sometimes it does, there are a lot of environmental factors along with the outlook that you have that can make or break the streak that one is on at any given moment. This episod...

To say that COVID has affected the mental health of those around the world would be an understatement. Even for those individuals including autistics that have had to experience a multitude of changes over the past fifteen months has been a challenge to say the least. I am very grateful that I have had not any ill effects of the virus or was not furloughed from my employment as a result of the pan...

As we know in the autism community, there’s that cliff when school years ends for someone. I have seen numerous youths be proud to make it to this point when they were given lesser expectations. So, what happens? We certainly know that those that care for them, particularly family members may or may not want to continue to provide care or be unaware of a sea that is unchartered for many to be the...

Being independent for almost three years has taught me some life lessons in being independent. I have done some things in that time I haven’t been proud of and there’s things I’ve not succeeded at. However, it is a learning curve and within time it gets better. There’s this great thing called boundaries that you have to develop that can be a challenge. Once you learn the power of it and knowing wh...

I have talked about my soda addiction on and off on my blog for some time and I have to admit until three days ago I have had a real bad addiction and I knew it. From the moment I woke up in the morning I had to have that rush of caffeine. It led my life in what I did in my life in every given moment, what I had with my meals. It became addictive as it is and challenging at the same time. This epi...

We are narrowing down to the point that masking orders will be going away in my state. However, that doesn’t mean wearing a mask is totally wiped off the slate of the American culture. Establishments, at their governed choosing may elect to mandate the wearing of masks, whether or not you are fully vaccinated. While things are winding down for me, I still chose to keep my guard up. This episode is...

In the three and a half decades in my life I have grown so much into a mature adult. I know that I need to ‘grow up’ as my therapist says because I haven’t dealt with the irrational fears and the brewing thoughts. The anger has been mostly subdued into a verbal form, but I know that there is room for improvement. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://dustinsdynastyusa.com/2021/06/2...

I received my Asperger’s Diagnosis in 1998 when I was 13 years old. Little was known to the people helping me back then. There was little inclination of many connections that Asperger’s and now inherited into Autism Spectrum Disorder could be managed more naturally. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://dustinsdynastyusa.com/2021/06/17/autistic-pride-and-acceptance/

This Saturday in the wellness department has been monumental for me. Not only was it my 36th Birthday, but it was also day I completed a 5K Walk for the first time in over eight years. For only being serious about losing weight for only almost three months, I am proud that I did not finish last in the race and that I can compete at my age while still being well enough to do the basic things in lif...

As we are into week two being mostly restriction free from the COVID-19 Pandemic, we are beginning to see what normal is. Along with government mandates being lifted, within the upcoming time restrictions at the places I frequent are being eased as well. However, I with COVID-19, I feel that it was a teaching moment to the world for several reasons. This episode is also available as a blog post: h...

When one lives alone. A need often arises when one needs to shopping. To persons that are autistic or have several mental health challenges, this can become a struggle to do. As such when the willpower is not there, people will do with what they can by ordering take out or not eating at all. Part of adulting includes garnering up the courage to go to the store, purchase your items and bring them h...

For some autistics, being independent, having their own place and being able to take care of themselves are the ultimate wishes of many, including the family that cares for them. For the family, if they feel it can be done, they will likely try in earnest to make sure that it can be done in order to make all parties satisfied. While skills are learned and a suitable home for the individual is secu...

The last few days we have been walking in the morning hours to beat the heat as it has been oppressive the past week. Even if we go just after daybreak, it indeed was challenging. There are times I wonder “why don’t I just not do this anymore?” This episode is also available as a blog post: http://dustinsdynastyusa.com/2021/06/09/wellness-wednesday-almost-close/

Tuesday marks one week since all restrictions have been lifted in my state with the exception of Universal Masking. However, that is something that many chose not to practice or feel confident without masking in the community. While masking is still practiced in some regard, it is being part of what is a different normal. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://dustinsdynastyusa.com/...

For many autistics, the ability to make one’s decisions can be a difficult task for an autistic to perform. For the younger crowd, one that seems to lack the ability or show the interest of one doing this will result in the parent making these choices for them, which can result in friction between the autistic and their parents. An autistic should have the autonomy to be the person they so choose...

One of the struggles that I have faced continually in my autistic life is that of norms that just don’t come natural to me. For things that are taught growing up to a person that somewhat come natural to them, for many autistic persons, they just don’t become normal for them. More so, when they are reminded by a supporter to do something that should come as normal, this can become frustrating for...

Sometimes getting through the weeks can be difficult, sometimes it takes getting through each day or even every hour. It’s extremely hard when you live alone and I am proud to have my mother for support although oftentimes I don’t show it in the way that I should, but in the end, I know I couldn’t do it without her and her multitude of support. To here I sincerely devote this post to her. This epi...