Reflections

Image of a group of people gathered around a laptop.

I'd rather stab my eye than do this... (spoiler: it's group work) autism behaviours learning styles neurodivergent Aug 13, 2021

I still cringe inside when remembering the moments I heard “Okay everyone, find a partner”, or “So we’re going to get into groups of three”...

No.

Nah, not doin’ it.

I would rather stab myself in the eyeball with a rusty fork than engage in...

A photo of Australian-based Autism support specialist, Kristy.

This is Me. autism boundaries communication identity legacy neurodivergent Aug 13, 2021

I no longer paint my nails.

I don't adorn myself with jewellery.

I take my time responding to messages and I seldom answer my phone. I have a message bank.

I say no to social invitations when I mean no.

I cut all of my long, dark hair off after years of...

My Dreaming Life anxiety autism behaviours resilience trauma Aug 13, 2021

*Trigger warning: Trauma nightmares, self-harm, police, psychiatric ward*

My dreaming life.

As I age, it becomes more intense; a beckoning for me to process what feels like insurmountable, unfathomable pain, buried away.

There are many parts to my story...

I remember every single name, every single humiliation. adhd autism identity parenting pda trauma Aug 13, 2021

At fifteen years old, I left school midway through Year Nine and went into the workforce.

I vehemently expressed that I would not return to school and with that, my mother said if I was not returning, I needed to get a job.

I worked in the local bakery, something I was so proud of....

Image of a lady wearing glasses pulling a face

This is how I live most of my life now. autism pathalogical demand avoidance pda Aug 13, 2021

Today I put aside a few hours to revisit my plan for thriving autistically.

Those drop-offs of the very things that support my wellbeing happen so subtly and quickly as time goes on that I don’t even notice.

I told myself (mentally noted) how much I miss my early morning...

Image of a label with the words 'Remove this label' on it.

Labels, labels, labels. autism language neurodivergent Aug 13, 2021

Trigger Warning: swearing, harsh words.

I hear families often speak about their fear in "labelling" their children autistic, ADHD, among other neurodivergences because they worry their child will be judged, defined, misunderstood, overlooked, *insert very valid fears here*.

...

A school-aged child stands behind a bright yellow school bus, carrying a backpack on her back, and smiling.

She is so much more. autism behaviours parenting schooling Aug 05, 2021

I often touch on how important it is to move beyond the generic support framework for our autistic children in the classroom. This includes a timer, dot points on the board and visuals.

Whilst these are really great supports for many of our children, I often see them used without...

An illustration of a women kneeling down with a dustpan, and a young child sweeping with a broom towards her.

We bring our children home. autism neurodivergent parenting schooling Jul 22, 2021

We bring our children home

From failed systems

That have been enabled not to care

Not to care for our children

For us; when we were the children

We educate our children

And while trying to create a safe space

For their trauma to unravel

Our trauma too, unravels

Our children are...

Where my grief came from. autism parenting selfcare Jul 15, 2021

This morning as I was barefoot walking through the garden, connecting with the earth, I felt a deep sadness come over me.

My instinct was to push the sadness away and to think of something else fast in order to distract myself; but as soon as I became conscious of this, I returned to...

A photo of Australian-based Autism support specialist, Kristy with a group of people who are dressed as Stormtroopers from 'Star Wars'

Appearances can be (so very) deceiving. autism behaviours communication neurodivergent socialising Jul 01, 2021

I'm a PDA autistic (Pathological demand avoidance).

This means that my social connectedness; my ability to engage with others naturally and to make eye contact gives the impression that I possess a higher level of social "ability" than what is expected of me.

As a PDA autistic,...

A photo of Australian-based Autism support specialist, Kristy and her husband.

How I show up in friendships. autism behaviours friendship neurodivergent Jun 24, 2021

Hi!

I'm Kristy, and I'm TERRIBLE at being a friend in the neuronormative sense.

I take months to respond to messages in my inbox, if ever.

Sometimes I say things that come across as blunt, forceful, offensive and/or rude.

I say No (a lot) to outings, catch-ups and people...

An elephant with its calf walking in a field

An invitation to lead with love. autism neurodivergent parenting Jun 17, 2021

Contrary to popular parenting advice, the time when our children return to the safety of our energy after being in trouble is not the time to lecture.

It is not the time to remind our babies why we were angry or what they did wrong and why they should never do that thing again.

...

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