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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.

It never gets easier

Sep 27, 2023

It never gets easier, nor am I ever better prepared for the moments my autistic children (and I) are exposed to another parent’s grief stricken story about their autistic child.

I was conditioned to believe that the fir...

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Yesterday, someone trolled me on social media.

Aug 02, 2023
 

Yesterday, someone trolled me on social media.

That in itself isn’t the thing. That happens to autistic folks who joyfully resist the disorder narrative all the time.

It’s threatening to some, to read my writings or he...

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What happens when you say "No."

Oct 07, 2021
Do you know that you can say No?
 
So many of us don’t.
 
We’ve been conditioned to understand that No means others will talk behind our backs about our selfishness or coldness.
 
We know it will ofte
...
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Failed relationships & neurodivergence

Sep 11, 2021

Ahh, the wonderful weekend. I hope you're having a brilliant one so far.

This week, for something different, the team and I decided we'd share a conversation with community from my Facebook page this past week.

We touc...

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This is Me.

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
...
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This is a difficult time. Let's acknowledge that.

Apr 08, 2021
Immerse yourself in communities, places and with people who feel right for you.
 
A group or page isn't necessarily safe or right because someone else says so.
You get to choose.
 
Last night I jumped
...
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