AAC, Autism, and the Communication First Approach

One thing that often confuses people new to the autism world are all the acronyms. It seems like just about everything has a three-letter acronym associated with it, and I can understand why it would be difficult to keep all of them straight or remember what they all stand for. But there's one acronym that …

How to make the Holiday Season Less Stressful for Autistic People

"It's the most wonderful time of the yearWith the kids jingle bellingAnd everyone telling you be of good cheerIt's the most wonderful time of the year" Well, at least for some people. The "most wonderful time of the year" isn't wonderful and magical for everybody. For autistic people especially, the holidays can drive much more …

It’s my birthday! Plus, thinking about expectations

Today, Friday November 20th, 2020, is my 19th birthday. This doesn't feel right to me honestly, there's no way that I'm only a year away from turning 20. I said this last year too when I turned 18, there's no way I'm an "adult" now. I feel exactly the same way as I did when …

On Autistic People and Dogs

This is my family’s dog Doodlebug. He’s a barrel-chested, chubby-bellied (ok fine, he's overweight) energetic, happy beagle mix who we’ve had for eleven years now. A dark-brown and white beagle-mix dog sits next to a person with medium-length curly red hair wearing a green shirt and black shorts (me). The person is looking perpendicular to …

Accommodations are not Rewards

Disability accommodations are among the most important factors in allowing autistic and other neurodivergent people to equally access an education. “Equally access” here is the key phrase, because the entire purpose of accommodations for a disability at an academic institution is to ensure the same opportunity for all students to access an education (and the …