Today I’m BACK with my first long-format-video-essay in over a year. Due to how NeuroDivergent People’s struggles are often used to describe and define us (especially in medical contexts), our weaknesses too frequently overshadow our strengths. Patreon members, Facebook Supporters, and YouTube channel members had access to this video on Wed, January 3, 2023. The video’s public release will be Friday, January 5, 2023.
One of the things that I share with organizational leaders, and members of different companies I work with, is the fact that NeuroDivergent pace, often can look different than NeuroTypical pace, and NeuroDivergent workers can have, what I like to call “variable energy reserves” and may need to adjust our schedules accordingly. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2021/12/08/neurodiversity-in-the-workplace-asking-autistic-neurodivergent-people-to-keep-a-neurotypical-pace/
I am Autistic, PLUS (On Twitter, I typed this out as shorthand Autism+ because of character limitations, and we made jokes it sounded like a video streaming service, like Disney+). This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/05/10/when-i-said-theres-no-such-thing-as-severe-autism-most-people-missed-the-point/
Often, rather than sorting through all the information required to make a choice. It is much simpler (in that moment) not to choose (which technically IS a choice), or go with a safe familiar option. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/05/08/autism-choices-why-making-decisions-is-hard-for-me-as-an-autistic-person/
On Twitter, there was an interesting discussion I dropped in on recently talking about the medical model of Autism and how, technically (under the medical model), to be defined as an Autistic Person in a medical context, you must be someone whose Autistic traits “cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning.” Due to the language above, this person suggested if you’re not struggling, you might not be Autistic in a medical context (regardless if you were diagnosed previously and met the criteria). “Are they Autistic?” they asked. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/05/03/if-an-autistic-person-isnt-currently-struggling-are-they-still-autistic/
NeuroDivergent people’s differences are cognitive and invisible and impact how we interpret the world, process information, and interact with others. Our differences also impact our strengths and weaknesses, what tasks and environments will drain us, and what tasks and environments will invigorate us. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/05/02/neurodivergence-surviving-capitalism-as-an-autistic-adhd-human-and-finding-a-career-path-that-works-for-you/
Our individual brains’ combination of NeuroTypes (because people seldom have only one measurable brain difference) heavily influences our reality, including our experience of time (and space). This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/05/01/neurodivergence-time-hyperfocus-managing-time-hyperfocus-as-an-neurodivervgent-person-so-it-doesnt-ruin-your-life-an-autistic-adhd-perspective/
I’d been told to listen to these adults and do what they said, and they had said I was “bad,” and I believed them. Since I thought I was “bad,” I felt I deserved all the punishment (abuse) I received. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/04/28/abused-at-school-why-autistic-kids-may-not-speak-up-when-theyve-been-harmed-by-a-teacher/
These “disability hiring initiatives” often put those they’re supposed to serve on display, so organizations can look good by “offering jobs to people with disabilities,” but often leave us behind. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/04/27/the-future-is-inclusive-by-design-asking-businesses-and-organizations-to-do-more-when-considering-neurodiversity-universal-design-and-inclusion-because-it-benefits-everyone/
This week two Substack Community Members have asked me to share advice on how to deal with “huge emotions” or “when emotions are just too big and overwhelming.” This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/04/24/autistic-people-and-huge-emotions-or-big-feelings-when-emotions-are-too-big-and-overwhelming/
If Autistic People are determined “too vulnerable” to know what’s best for us in one area of our lives, what’s to stop them from applying this logic to other areas? This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/04/20/autistic-trans-adults-are-the-latest-target-of-anti-trans-legislation-but-all-autistics-are-in-danger/
There is a misconception that, because someone’s NeuroDivergence is identified in adulthood, they struggled less growing up than NeuroDivergent People diagnosed as children. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/04/18/self-identified-autistics-is-diagnosis-a-privilege-why-some-people-may-self-diagnose-with-autism/
To onlookers it may have seemed that I was “acting more Autistic” since my diagnosis, but in reality I was done with the shame, hiding my Autistic traits, and done acting NeuroTypical. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/04/17/do-i-seem-more-autistic-to-you-now-why-many-autistics-stop-camouflaging-their-autistic-traits-post-autism-discovery/
Stimming is essential, helpful, and necessary, but I didn’t understand it for most of my life. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/04/14/autism-and-the-wonderful-world-of-autistic-stimming-what-is-autistic-stimming-and-why-do-autistic-people-stim/
What are three activities that drain you, and what are three activities that recharge or energize you? This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/04/11/autism-neurodivergence-and-energy-regulation-i-always-seem-to-be-too-much/
#ActuallyAutistic #AskingAutistics – do you have comfort movies, shows, or songs? This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/04/10/autistic-insistence-on-sameness-or-comfort-in-familiarity/
For me (and many late-identified Autistics), it’s not that the signs weren’t noticeable or didn’t hinder my life previously, but that many were overlooked, ignored, dismissed, or unrecognized. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/04/07/hints-signs-i-was-autistic-why-my-autism-was-missed-growing-up-2/
Understanding Autism & Meltdowns: Meltdowns, elopements, shutdowns, and other types of overloads are MEDICAL EVENTS. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/04/05/meltdowns-elopements-shutdowns-and-sensory-overloads-oh-my/
I believe the world is horrible for Autistic People we need to fix the world so Autistic People can be properly included. The world is inaccessible and cruel. Autistic People are NOT the problem. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/04/03/the-autism-problem-nonautistics-treat-autistic-people-like-were-broken-neurotypicals-but-were-not/
Awareness can be helpful because it can point us at problems, helping to gain sympathy for causes that may be underserved. However, Autism and Autistic people ARE NOT a problem. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/04/02/autistic-wishes-for-world-autism-day-2023/