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Sensory Sensitivities

One of the more widely known things about autistic people is that we may have sensory sensitivities. But what does that actually mean? Criterion B-4 in the DSM criteria for autism includes “hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input.” That means experiencing sensory stimuli either more or less strongly than the average person. In reality, it can be a mix of both – hyperreactive to some things, or at some times, and hyporeactive to (or at) others. This can result in sensory seeking or sensory avoidant… Read More »Sensory Sensitivities

Special Interests

I really like Sailor Moon. I’ve watched every episode (and the movies) of the original anime multiple times, as well as all of Sailor Moon Crystal, watched the live action version repeatedly, read and re-read the manga (including Sailor V), seen every fansubbed video of the stage musicals at least once. I’ve been active in fan forums, including two role-playing communities. I can sing along to “Moonlight Densetsu” and “La Soldier,”1 in Japanese, although lets perhaps not discuss my pronunciation.2 I memorized the little introduction speech.3 Figurines of Princess… Read More »Special Interests

Sameness and Routines

I’m not a particularly tidy person,1 but it distresses me in a way I can’t quite explain when things end up in the wrong place. This can be as simple as Adam putting his keys or the dog’s leash in a different spot or changing the order of the knives on the magnetic strip. My towel always goes on the same hook in the bathroom, facing in the same direction. It’s the same thing with grocery lists. I used to be very rigid about not capitalizing… Read More »Sameness and Routines

Stimming

Note: I’ve elected to start with discussing some aspects of the criteria for diagnosis in the DSM-5, out of convenience, before branching out to less medicalized/deficit-based facets of the conversation. Please don’t take this to mean that I think the DSM criteria are the most accurate or complete explanation of the autistic experience, nor is this a complete discussion of those criteria. — Another one of the perhaps better-known features of autism is mentioned in criterion B-1: “stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects,… Read More »Stimming

Relationships

Note: I’ve elected to start with discussing some aspects of the criteria for diagnosis in the DSM-5, out of convenience, before branching out to less medicalized/deficit-based facets of the conversation. Please don’t take this to mean that I think the DSM criteria are the most accurate or complete explanation of the autistic experience, nor is this a complete discussion of those criteria. — Criterion A-3 of the DSM criteria for autism spectrum disorder refers to “deficits in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships.” When the psychiatrist… Read More »Relationships

Nonverbal Communicative Behaviours

Note: I’ve elected to start with discussing some aspects of the criteria for diagnosis in the DSM-5, out of convenience, before branching out to less medicalized/deficit-based facets of the conversation. Please don’t take this to mean that I think the DSM criteria are the most accurate or complete explanation of the autistic experience, nor is this a complete discussion of those criteria. — You may have heard that many autistic people struggle with making eye contact. Criterion A-2 in the DSM criteria for autism spectrum… Read More »Nonverbal Communicative Behaviours

Social-Emotional Reciprocity

Note: I’ve elected to start with discussing some aspects of the criteria for diagnosis in the DSM-5, out of convenience, before branching out to less medicalized/deficit-based facets of the conversation. Please don’t take this to mean that I think the DSM criteria are the most accurate or complete explanation of the autistic experience, nor is this a complete discussion of those criteria. — As I mentioned in a previous post, I have a hard time starting conversations. I also have a hard time continuing conversations.… Read More »Social-Emotional Reciprocity

Autism in My Life

I’ve spent a lot of the last three years learning about autism and figuring out what it might represent in my lived experience. When I started telling people about my diagnosis, I learned pretty quickly that most people don’t have years of learning and reflection to pull from in understanding this. In fact, most people have a pretty shaky grasp on what autism is at all. I certainly did, prior to 2023. So, I decided to put together a series of blog posts covering some of what… Read More »Autism in My Life

Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month

Just in time for Autism Awareness (or Acceptance) Month (April), I got to celebrate my autistic awareness (or acceptance) with my very own official diagnosis. This has been a long time coming. I started looking into the possibility that I might be autistic at the beginning of 2023. It’s the main reason that my blog posts since then have been much sparser than they were in 2022. It was hard to find the motivation to write about my mental health when I couldn’t be as… Read More »Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month

40

2026 NOTE: My diagnostic situation has changed since I wrote this. See this post and the series of posts starting here for more information. I always thought people made too much of a big deal of 40. Now it’s here, and I’m not sure how I feel anymore. Part of me is looking back at all I haven’t accomplished in the last 40 years and blaming myself pretty heavily. I can see some pretty big mistakes on my part, and I can see some problems… Read More »40