Tag Archives: Neurodivergent

Autism Acceptance / Awareness Month

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Hello,

Well, Autism Acceptance/Awareness Month has been interesting.

People who are Autistic are not diseased. We are not broken. We are not a puzzle to be solved.

There are a lot of hurtful comments in the news at the moment which I am sure we have all seen. If you haven’t just spend some time googling it. You’ll find it.

I am aware that Autistic people have different levels of support needs and that is all because Autism is a spectrum. No we are not all a little Autistic.

There has been talk of there being a register made for Autistic people. This alongside the news that there will soon be a reason found for what causes Autism is very concerning. If you can have a register of Autistic people then once you know what causes Autism you can have readily accessible information for where those Autistic people are. I wonder why you would need that information?

Autistic people want understanding and acceptance. I  saw a small video somewhere which said ‘if you’re struggling to understand an Autistic person then they’re probably struggling to understand you too’. This is so important because it points out that Autistic people are trying to communicate in a way that they know how. Just like you as the non Autistic person is trying to communicate in a way that you know how. If we put the emphasis on how hard it is for the non Autistic person and try to get the Autistic person to communicate in a way the non Autistic person wants, then we are not being fare or understanding to the Autistic persons needs.

A lot of the conversation around Autism, from what I have seen is ‘how can we change this Autistic person?’ When it should be about understanding and accepting the Autistic person.

If you are Autistic and are reading or watching the news or seeing articles about the things I have referred to above then know that there are also people out there who are wanting to be accepting who are wanting to understand. There are allies who are there to help.

We need these allies to help us as Autistic people to create space and enact the change we need to be able to live in a world where we can thrive. Whatever our level of support need. 

Thank you for reading.

Happy Autism Acceptance Month. 

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Autism Acceptance month is here- although we should be accepting of Autism all year round. 

There will be a lot of things going out this month from various places that you will come across showing support for Autistic people. 

Be mindful of what you are consuming, either for yourself or for your business. Who has written the piece you are writing? Is this person Autistic? 

You cannot advocate for Autistic people unless you are willing to listen to Autistic people. This includes every Autistic person at every stage of life. 

I do not normally write about Autism on here, being Neurodivergent, yes, I write about that. But it can be difficult to write about being Autistic. I think this is because I went so long without realising I am Autistic. It is quite a journey you go on when you find out you’re Autistic. You have to learn to understand this part of yourself which has always been there. But now…you know it is there. 

Like you’ve found a whole new room in your house and you’re thinking ‘wow look at this space! What can I do with it? What is even in here?…’ 

It is a lot to unpack, literally unpack… How do I now navigate the world through this new lens?

Everyone is different, just like Autism itself, we are truly unique. No one Autistic persons profile is the same as another persons.

This is why at the beginning of this page I said to make sure what you are reading has been created with an Autistic persons input. Because, verbal or non verbal we all have something to share and say. 

During Autism Acceptance month remember that every one of us is different and unique in our abilities. We do not all view Autism as a super power. Some of us absolutely hate this phrase. Some of us love it and see their Autism as a gift. 

Be mindful of every Autistic persons perspective on Autism and if it doesn’t fit your narrative, that is OK. 

I’ll try write some more later this month. But for now that is all. 

Thank you, 

Philippa B. 

Books in 2023

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Hello all,

So far this year I have read seven books. You might be thinking, that’s not a lot! But last year I read 9. I will be on track to read more than the year before.

Reading is one of my favourite things to do. I enjoy it because you can always learn something new.

I am continuing with learning about Autism, but I am also listening to books about Self Care. Which is really important especially when you are trying to get better at it.

The other books are ones I found about people I like or topics I find interesting. Have a read and let me know what you think.

1. The Big Bang Theory

By: Jessica Radloff
On Audible

Summary: ‘The definitive, behind-the-scenes look at the most popular sitcom of the last decade, The Big Bang Theory, packed with all-new, exclusive interviews with the producers and entire cast.’

I love the Big Bang Theory and saw this book was avail be to pre order. It was a great listen. The show itself was a wonderful thing because it made science more mainstream. One of the things the book talks about is Sheldon and how he’s one of the special kids, but never actually saying he is Neurodivergent.

I always liked Big Bang Theory and I always felt like Amy could have been Neurodivergent too. I related to her in that she was always struggling to get social cues, not to the same extent as Sheldon, but I think that’s because as a girl she would have learnt to mask.

2. Self Compassion

By: Kristin Neff
On Audible

Summary: ‘Kristin Neff, PhD is a professor in human development whose 10 years of research forms the basis of her timely and highly listenable book. Self Compassion offers a powerful solution for combating the current malaise of depression, anxiety and self criticism that comes with living in a pressured and competitive culture.’

This book has helped me to put things into practice. We can often forget how important Self Compassion is and this book is a great way of looking at even the little things we can do to make a big difference. Like how we talk to ourselves when we do something wrong. 

3. My Autistic Fight Song

By: Rosie Weldon
On Audible

Summary: ‘My Autistic Fight Song is a memoir that follows Rosie Weldon’s journey from a college drop-out as she tries to achieve her dream of being a qualified accountant. With the odds stacked against her and the stakes high, she refuses to give up on her dream.’

This is a book I was waiting for and ordered it as soon as I could. I loved it. As an Autistic Woman who also went to uni and was undiagnosed at the time I found this book to be very relatable.

The thing Rosie does not shy away from is when she discusses her struggles with Mental Health. It was a very moving part of the book and the way she handles the conversation is very delicate.

4. Have I Told You This Already?

By: Lauren Graham
On Audible

Summary: ‘From the beloved star of Gilmore Girls and the New York Times bestselling author of Talking as Fast as I Can comes a candid, insightful, and wildly entertaining essay collection about her years in show business, featuring stories that range from the sublime to the ridiculous.’

I just love Gilmore Girls. I can’t believe how long ago it was now. Lauren Grahams narrating this and in her chatty voice is wonderful. I wish we could meet and have a coffee.

5. Untypical

By: Pete Wharmby
On Audible

Summary: ‘It’s time to remake the world – the ground-breaking book on what steps we should all be taking for the autistic people in our lives.

The modern world is built for neurotypicals: needless noise, bright flashing lights, small talk, phone calls, unspoken assumptions and unwritten rules – it can be a nightmarish dystopia for the autistic population. In Untypical, Pete Wharmby lays bare the experience of being ‘different’, explaining with wit and warmth just how exhausting it is to fit in to a world not designed for you.’

This book was great, it really made me stop and think, why is the world so hard for me…. thats why…
It is books like these which make you stop and say ‘I need to be kinder to myself because I am in a world not built for me.’

Discussing things like small talk to an Autistic Person to a Neurotypical is always amusing to me. Small talk is there to fill a void and pass some time, but if I have all the info I need, why do I participate in it? How is the weather today? What you having for tea? When he discuses small talk in this book it made me chuckle and agree.

6. A Life on Our Planet

By: David Attenborough
On Audible

Summary: ‘See the world. Then make it better.

I am 94. I’ve had an extraordinary life. It’s only now that I appreciate how extraordinary. 

As a young man, I felt I was out there in the wild, experiencing the untouched natural world – but it was an illusion. The tragedy of our time has been happening all around us, barely noticeable from day to day – the loss of our planet’s wild places, its biodiversity.’

For a start it is David Attenborough and it is him narrating so that’s basically a major win.
This book was very powerful. We have been told time and time again we must do something to slow down climate change. This book explains how we are all connected and that everything has an affect on something else. That we must work together to make changes now. 

7. Spectrum Women

By: Barb Cook – editor, Dr Michelle Garnett – editor, Lisa Morgan
On Audible

Summary- ‘Barb Cook and 14 other autistic women describe life from a female autistic perspective, and present empowering, helpful and supportive insights from their personal experience for fellow autistic women. Michelle Garnett’s comments validate and expand the experiences described from a clinician’s perspective, and provide extensive recommendations.’

This book is the latest one I have read and it was brilliant. Coming from so many different women talking about their experiences. It covers many different aspects of life that there is a part of this book for every occasion.

I loved the part about self care as I think this is something we don’t focus on enough. If we don’t make time for self care our executive function can go out the window. So as the book suggests, schedule some time in to do the things you love.

I hope you have enjoyed my list and I would urge you to read these books I have mentioned, especially if you are Autistic yourself.

Have a great day doing what you’re doing and if you have any book recommendations for me please leave a link below and lets share.

Thank you,
Philippa B.






Sensory Overload and Flare Audio

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Hello all,

I hope you are enjoying your Monday… well as much as you can enjoy a Monday.

One of the things which I really struggle with is sensory overload. Senses are wonderful things, but for me they can all become a bit too much. When there is a lot going on, if it’s too bright, too loud, too many people making it feel like you are stuck in an enclosed space and you just wan to leave. It is all very intense.

The best I can try explain it to you is  this: it is as though your computer has too many applications open and you are trying to get it to do all the things you want it to do at once. It is not going to happen, it starts to slow down and if you try and push through by just continuing, your computer will freeze.

It is the same with sensory overload. Try and keep going, keep powering through. Eventually you will stop. You will not be able to do anymore. You have pushed yourself passed the point where you are overstimulated and you have not given yourself time to process all the different senses going on around you. You have opened all the browser tabs you can while refusing to close some of the others to make space.

You have crashed.

With people it is very similar. There are different ways you can manage sensory over load. But by keeping  going ‘pushing yourself a little further’ is not one of them. You are not giving yourself time to regulate or reset.

Anyone can succumb to burnout, but for those who have sensory processing issues that tolerance is a lot lower.

One of the ways I manage sensory overload is through music. When on the way to work I will listen to music. But there are times when I don’t want to listen to music. I just want to reduce the level of sound I can hear.

I decided to try something which would do just that. I bought myself some calmer earbuds from a company called Flare. I tried the Calmer range.

A square cardboard pouch with Calmer written across the front.

The packing for them is recyclable as it is in a cardboard pouch. There was not a lot of excess packing either which is more environmentally friendly. The buds are washable and made from silicon which is again better for there environment as they are not a one use purchase. 

I got the clear ones, but in hindsight as a visually impaired person this was not a good idea. When you put them down they are harder to find. But they do come with a nice little bag for them go in when you are done with them. The bag is black and has a tiny draw string. Perfect for putting in your pocket.

A small black drawstring pouch with a 'flare' label on the side.

They are made of silicone which I normally hate the feeling of. But these ones are quite soft and squidgy. They are easy enough to put in your ears and they have a tiny piece that sticks out agains the side of your ear so you can pull them out.


I was a bit unsure of them at first as trying new things takes time. I wore them around the house to get used to the feel of them in my ears and it did help a lot. They were comfy once I got used to them. Eventually I decided to try them out on the train on the way to work.
Unfortunately they did not help dampen the sound. I could hear people talking and I could hear annoying keyboard clicks on phones (why do people leave these turned on? I presume some people do it just to be annoying).

I didn’t write them off straight away so I tried them again in work. I work in a busy environment. I thought I would try wearing them to reduce the background noise. Reducing background would be a major help to me so I can just focus on what I am doing, but unfortunately they did not reduce the background noise too much at all.

I put them back in their little bag at the end of the day and slipped the into my coat pocket.

While they did not reduce background noise as I hoped they would I was happy with the comfort of them. Once you got used to them you couldn’t tell they were in at all. Which is a major bonus when you are trying to find ways of working with your sensory needs to try make your day better.

If you are wanting to try the Flare Audio Calmer Range please follow this link. They come with a nice little carrying pouch and feel very comfortable. They do have some great reviews. They just weren’t for me. Flare has a ton of other options available for different needs. Maybe I just haven’t found the right one.

When I am sleeping I use a brand called Beary Quiet. These are wonderful.

Thank you or reading,
Philippa.

Finding socks that fit your sensory needs

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Hello all,

A few weeks ago I decided I needed to get some new socks. This is something I was not particularly looking forward to as I cannot stand wearing socks. Being Autistic means ensuring you are not walking into a sensory nightmare when wearing anything.

An oblong box with the lid closed. Crew logo on the top. Colours white and blue.

Socks to me are too restrictive and the sensation on my feet is offensive. It is very much a sensory nightmare.

Looking online I decided I wanted some bamboo ones as the pair I had already were, surprisingly acceptable. I found that Crew were having a sale which extended to socks. They also had bamboo socks which was brilliant. The colour options I went for were blues and greens, with another pack of vibrant autumnal colours. 

When they arrived I was happy to see they were in little boxes, which we have kept so we can reuse them for other things. We’re not sure what yet, but we’ll find something.

An open oblong box with socks rolled up neatly inside.

After wearing a few pairs this last week I am very happy with the quality of them. They are not too overwhelming, they are keeping my feet warm (but I am wearing these and a pair of other socks- I have circulation issues). The bamboo is soft to touch and I love the colours.


I should point out I am not being endorsed to write this, its just I really struggle with finding socks which make my feet happy. I also believe bamboo is meant to be better for the environment. Please correct me of I am wrong.

Please be mindful that a lot of Autistic people will struggle with sensory issues and this makes choosing clothing, like socks to be a very difficult one indeed. So this has been a big win for me and my sensory needs. I can say I am happy with my sock choice. Thank you Crew!

Thank you for mooching over to my blog and reading my random musings. 

Until next time,
Philippa B.