Understanding Asperger's

What does Asperger's mean? It means I have a different operating system. I see the world through a different lens. I interpret the world in a unique way.

My mind works a little differently than most people's. I don't always "get" what people are trying to say, as my mind picks up on the literal meaning of things first and foremost. I don't pick up on some of the social nuances or hidden messaged. Double meanings are tricky for me to process.

I notice things many others do not. I sometimes spot a small detail, while missing the big picture. I may not see how something affects things as a whole, before I see how a part of it is affected.

I feel things more strongly than the majority. I have aversions to bitter tastes. My clothes have to feel "just right," or else I'll reach for another outfit. Certain smells bother me, and even make me start to cough. I'm hypersensitive to heat and hyposensitive to cold. I'll go without a jacket in 20 degree weather.

Being an Aspie is an experience that one cannot fully understand unless they live it. While there are many of us out there, our experiences are all unique to each of us, hence the term "spectrum." My operating system is one I can call my own :)

What I would like others to know about autistics

If I could tell others what I would like them to know about autistics, I could come up with so many things. Autism is a wide spectrum, and along it, people have many gifts. There are a lot of "ingredients" that make up an autistic. I'll talk about a few of them here!

First of all, we have a lot to offer. Where do you think we'd be if it weren't for some of the ideas and inventions of our predecessors? There are a lot of gifted autistic minds in the world.  We also have a passion for what interests us, and can harness this in the work field. We can be an asset to our employer.

Autistics can be great friends, as we are typically honest and loyal people. Once you befriend us, be prepared to have a lifelong pal. It takes a lot to discourage us, and we want to be there through thick and thin. I try my best to do just that for my friends.

We can be compassionate people, especially towards others like us. A lot of autistics are proud advocates who want to make the world a more welcoming and better place for our fellow spectrumites. I personally love working in the mental health and developmental disabilities fields, because I know I'm helping people. I've also gotten to know a lot of awesome people in the process :)

We are sensitive. We want so badly to be there for others, that we are often taken advantage of. Please recognize that just because we are genuine, does not mean we should be manipulated. We also take things to heart. I, for one, am easily upset when my feelings have been hurt. It can lead to a meltdown. Once I'm reassured, I bounce back to my cheerful self!

We need support and understanding. Please listen to us. If you want to know more about autism, who else to go to besides an autistic? We are often experts in our own field. Let us tell you what we need, and at the same time, presume competence. Some of us may need more support than others, of different kinds of support, and that's ok! If there's anything else you'd like to know, just ask :)

Synesthesia

I may have written a blog about this before, but the topic came up and I even had a dream about it.  Do you associate colors with letters and numbers? You may have synesthesia, and AWESOME phenomenon in which two senses are linked.

For me, Friday is orange. It always has been. Just as the letter A is yellow and number 3 is light blue. What happens is that when you are born, the brain has connections that are typically "disconnected" by the time one is a little older. In people with synesthesia, some of those connections remain. This is what makes it possible to taste words, see music, or feel tastes. It's really neat!

Sometimes this can make things easier, other times it can be a bit of a challenge. Take being in school for example, and taking tests. There have been countless times where I can remember that an answer was a red word, but I just couldn't remember WHICH red word it was lol! XD This can be helpful when I'm trying to find a street, as street names have colors, too.

Do any of you experience this? What senses are connected for you?

Autism and facial expressions

A lot of people both on and off the spectrum agree that an autistic's facial expression doesn't always match their emotion. Sometimes people will think someone looks mad when they simply have a straight face. I find this interesting, and recently had such an experience.

I was talking to someone who wanted to share something that was on their mind. As they talked, I listened. I got stuck at one point as I did not have much knowledge or any experience with what they were talking about, and didn't know what else to say. They told me I looked "concerned." As far as I know, I was keeping a straight face. I wanted to seem approachable and didn't want the person to feel put off when I got stuck, so I kept the same expression and just listened as I tried to best to give my input. How I looked concerned, I don't know!

I also get people asking me "what's that look for?" My mom asks me this frequently :P I guess I must have a certain expression when I'm deep in thought or trying to concentrate in something and don't realize it. I'm someone who can only focus on one thing at a time, so when I'm focused on something I'm doing, I must not be able to focus on what face I'm making! XD

Has anyone else had any experience with this? I'd like to hear your stories :)

Freedom from societal pressure

If there's one good thing about being on the spectrum, it's the freedom to be unique. Everyone has their own ideas of what they want out of life, and that's kewl. With autism, not all, but many people don't feel the need to conform to what their peers are doing.

I've never acted like my peers. I've always followed the beat of a different drummer. I take things as I see them, at face value. I'm direct and literal.

In school, I never saw the point of acting "just like everybody else." Everyone is different, and what's good for one person may not be for the second. While most girls were preoccupied with their appearance and boys, I didn't give those things a second thought. I didn't feel compelled to follow the trends. Instead, I happily played my video games.

The older I get, the wider I see the "age gap" between my peers and me grow, and that's ok. I feel younger, so I'm naturally going to act it. While many of my peers are starting families, I can't fathom that lifestyle for myself. Once again, that may be a great thing for some, and I see some of my peers making excellent parents. For me, personally, however, I don't feel anywhere near that level of responsibility. I'm still learning how the heck to take care of myself! XD Nevertheless, I'm happy,nas I'm doing what's right for ME.

So what is it exactly I'm getting at? I guess my point is that we're all different, and living on the spectrum makes things even more different for me. The thing is, I can respect others who have different ideas. While I don't live up to societal mores, per se, if others are in different situations and they know it's right for them, then they are where they should be. I like being unique me, and I wouldn't want it any other way :)

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, everyone! For this post, I'd like to count my blessings. Life has been pretty good to me, and I'd like to reflect and thank God for all He has given me!

First of all, a loving family. My family has always been there for me. They help me in times of need. We spend a lot of time together and have many good memories. I'm thankful to still be living at home with them.

I'm grateful to have two jobs that I love. Helping others is my passion, and I get to do just that. I work with a lot of amazing people. I've also been granted good health. I don't have to worry about much in this area.

Finally, I'm thankful to have gotten answers and gained insight into myself. I know what makes me who I am, and I have the freedom to be me! I like being different and hope to make the world a better place for others like me :)

Happy Autism Acceptance Day!

Well, it's Autism Acceptance Day! Time to celebrate that "ausome" autistic in your life, whether that be a friend, family member, or even you! What will I be doing, you ask?

Well, first of all, my friend and I will be going to that amazing store I've mentioned, Makes Sense. Then we'll be heading to Aspie group. I'll be wearing my shirt that says "Autism: it's not a processing error. It's a different operating system."

I'll also continue to be posting positive information and stories about autism on Facebook. That way, I'll be showing others just how kewl we autistics are. There's so much negativity surrounding the topic, and I want to break that wall down!

What will you be doing today to honor the ausome autistics in your life?