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Reflections

Essays from Kristy Forbes exploring PDA, autistic experience, parenting, identity, care, systems and the ordinary moments that shape family life.

Autism & Addiction: My Story

Dec 04, 2020
CW: Suicidal feelings, addiction.

When you think of a person who is drug and/or alcohol addicted, know that if those layers were peeled away, you might very well discover an autistic person.

Drugs and alcohol were everythi...
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There is no “Imperfection” in Human Being and Doing

Nov 30, 2020

There is no “imperfection” in human being and doing.

We are all just as we are in the name of diversity; we all serve to teach and learn from one another.

In biodiversity, the forest thrives when all of it’s inhabitants co...

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Those Children were the Canaries in the Coal Mine

Nov 27, 2020

..and so many of the world's children gradually, slowly but surely, became disengaged and disconnected; never coming out from their safe spaces, no longer connecting with their families.

Built for a world that valued, emb...

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Dealing with my Sensory Sensitivities

Nov 25, 2020

"I love you. And I love you. I love you all. It's not anyone's fault that Mummy is upset. It's because I'm autistic, and I've had to touch kiwi fruit and mandarines and the juice has got on my skin and now I'm really ups...

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Important Factors to Consider when having Discussions about our Children

Nov 23, 2020

Important factors to consider when writing, speaking about or having discussions about our children; whether it be in an email to an educator, a conversation with a medical professional, a chat with a family member, or s...

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Our Children will Show us all we Need to Know

Nov 20, 2020

When the first of my children was identified autistic, I thought my life as I knew it had ended.

It had.

The message that I needed to grieve the loss of a child I would not have was constantly and consistently pushed onto ...

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It's Time to Take a Different Approach in our Classrooms

Nov 18, 2020
 
 In my teaching days, I received one professional development session on teaching autistic students in my classes.

It involved learning about the importance of reward systems (at Secondary level), using lists and
...
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Longing for the Place where we Belong

Nov 12, 2020

When I was a small child, my most favourite place to be was my Grandparents’ home.

It was a huge house, built on a property surrounded by thousands and thousands of acreage - trees, dirt, animals, water, fruit trees, and ...

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I am Autistic with a capital A.

Nov 11, 2020

I am Autistic with a capital A.

I prefer Identity First language.

1. “I am Autistic” is a reclamation of identity, taking back what is mine. I stand proudly Autistic and I reject attempts made to stigmatise and stereotype ...

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Who do you Draw Courage From?

Nov 09, 2020

Who do you draw courage from?

I draw courage from those who are willing to be radically themselves. The people who I know behind the scenes are getting their arse kicked; both to their face and behind their back.

Behind th...

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