Things I Have Learned By Joining The Local Methodist Church’s Coffee & Knitting Circle (where I Am

It’s never too late to learn the right way to do things: button sewing technique via imgur → more…

fatima aamer bilal, from weeping flesh above the ground.

[text id: the design of this universe is so damned, // i got to hold your limp body before i got to hold your hand.]

I am once again begging several companies and important services (hospitals, GPs, etc.) to allow forms of contact other than verbally calling. Even with special numbers for that kind of thing, oftentimes the people running these services will still call back ignoring issues such as deafness or mutism, and then act as though you were in the wrong for lack of response - even if informing them of your condition beforehand.

I was fully mute for a few years, and the amount of times medical professionals ignored this and tried to call me for verbal discussions, or didn't provide another method of contact, was abysmal. They even demanded verbal calling by phone to be let into the building. So many services need to do better about this, and so do several companies. Not everyone can talk (even if they can hear), and not everyone can hear (even if they can talk). I am begging these services to do better.

Clarice Lispector, A Breath of Life

I was a low verbal autistic kid that used plushies to communicate with people, and boy howdy did teachers/adults in general not like that past a certain age. Jokes on u fukkos, cool people absolutely adore seeing plushies just hangin out

For anyone that needs a reminder

Just because you’ve been struggling for so long, longer than people think you should be, that doesn’t mean you are faking it

Just because people don’t understand that there are good days and bad days, that doesn’t mean you are faking it.

Just because even you are doubting yourself and your body, that doesn’t mean you are faking it.

Just because you’ve been in pain for so long you don’t remember what life was like before pain, that doesn’t mean you are faking it

Just because there are days you feel like you don’t even need the cocktail of medicine you take every day and night, that doesn’t mean you are faking it.

Just because people with the same condition have worse symptoms than you, that doesn’t mean you are faking it.

Just because your symptoms are unpredictable, that doesn’t mean you are faking it.

YOU. ARE. NOT. FAKING. IT

YOU. ARE. NOT. AN. IMPOSTER 

Me: *knitting casually* LOUD THUNDER CLAP Me: 😱😬😳 *KNITS FASTER*

This is so true. I believe people should do what they need to to feel more comfortable just existing. I wish I could use my aac app more often, but my parents refuse to believe that my speech issues are still as bad as they once where. I was nonverbal for over 7 years growing up and just recently been able to talk a little bit with my speaking voice but now it’s getting hard again. I don’t know why it’s hard again. I went to speech therapy for years and now that I’ve stopped it’s like everything is just getting worse.

I made a small set of communication cards to wear on a lanyard. It's nothing super fancy, just index cards with basic info and sentences on them.

I don't know if I'll ever need need them because I can usually force at least some words or short sentences out even when it's really hard. I'm not sure if what I have is severe enough to be considered selective mutism, or any other specific, diagnosable speech issue, because I can technically still talk a bit.

Still, I do have autism and anxiety that make verbal speech hard, and I'm tired of constantly pushing myself to speak. Just because I can talk doesn't mean it's easy for me, or easy for other people to understand. I find myself trying to avoid people in case they want me to talk. Often I have to stutter the same word or two several times before I can find the rest of the words needed to finish the sentence. I've broken down crying while trying to ask simple questions at school. My autism and anxiety are real and difficult even if they aren't "severe" enough to make it 100% impossible to speak.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is, it's okay to accommodate for oneself even if you don't need need it, or can technically survive without it. You don't deserve to suffer just to look normal or be more convenient for other people.

If AAC makes communication easier, even if you can technically speak, do it! If using a mobility aid would make it less painful to go places, even if you can technically walk, do it! If turning on subtitles helps you understand videos, even if you can technically make out some of the dialogue without them, do it! You shouldn't have to wait until you're completely unable to do whatever you need to do before you make it comfortable for yourself.

Unless you're literally ripping that disability aid from someone else's hands, you're not stealing resources from anyone. And you don't owe anyone an explanation as to why you're using disability aids. If someone else doesn't think you need it enough to deserve it, that's on them.

Grandmas were so right about puzzles and knitting and crocheting and solitaire and reading slow and slippers and baking and watching deer in the backyard send post

Hi everyone,

I thought I would post something about neurodiversity and stay cool because it’s been so hot these last few days. Here are some infographics by Neurodivergent Insights about interoception:

The article will be below:

I also found these that’s lists some ways to stay cool and how you can handle the heat:

1. Baggy Clothes

2. Water Activities

3. Freeze Your Food (frozen grapes are great imo)

4. Don’t Be Afraid To Stay Inside

5. Meal-Prep

The article to this will also be below if you want to read more:

Bright Futures Care

Heat Intolerance and Autism Spectrum Disorder | Bright Futures Care

As summer quickly approaches, it is vital to understand how to protect your child from the warmer weather. Get in touch to find out more.

1. Water, water everywhere.

2. Let us spray.

3. Inhale “cool” essential oils.

4. Adapt your clothing to suit your ASD.

5. Protect your eyes and your head.

6. A once a day sunscreen can really help.

7. If you need to shut out daylight, shut it out!

The article will be below as it goes into more details:

The Mighty

How to Cope With Hot Weather When You’re on the Autism Spectrum

"Who doesn’t adore a hot summer’s day?"

I hope many of you find these helpful. I think this will be helpful to all neurodivergent individuals. Please take care. ♥️