08Nov 2021 by autisticemmalyn
Autism and Animals

Autism and Animals

Feelings
One of the most widely known and frequently discussed symptoms of autism is difficulty with social interactions.  Many autistic people may misunderstand cues, struggle to express themselves, and take things literally.  As such, it can be hard for an autistic person to navigate communication with other people. However, while autistic people may have trouble interacting with their own species, they may find success with others.  In fact, it’s fairly common!  Autistic people tend to love animals, and here’s why. First of all, we have huge hearts that long to care for someone, and often a pet or wild creature tends to be a wonderful receiver.  Oftentimes, they understand when they are being helped and loved, and they do not hesitate to show gratitude and affection in return.  Many autistic people…
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18Oct 2021 by autisticemmalyn
Autistic Legs

Autistic Legs

Feelings
Hey everyone!  Last week I wrote about autistic arms (aka what we like to do with our arms and why,) so this week, I wanted to continue the topic of autistic mannerisms and talk about autistic legs! Just like with arms, autistic people have certain things that they tend to do with their legs.  These behaviors vary between individuals, but it’s important to recognize that they are all for the autistic person’s comfort and should never be discouraged or punished. The first category I’d like to discuss is how autistic people walk.  You may have noticed in yourself or others that we often don’t follow the neurotypical pattern of walking.  Autistic people have a wide variety of things we like to do with our feet when we walk, such as…
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11Oct 2021 by autisticemmalyn
Autistic Arms

Autistic Arms

Feelings
Hello everyone!  This week I want to talk about an interesting (and rather lighthearted) aspect of autistic life, and that is what we do with our arms!  If you’re autistic, you may recognize these behaviors in yourself, and if you know an autistic person, you might notice them in others.  It’s important to know that these postures are not negative or harmful - they’re actually quite beneficial to the autistic person and make them feel comfortable.  They are perfectly natural and nothing that needs to be changed! Many autistic people like to bend their arms at about a 90 degree angle with their hands out in front of them.  Some may droop their wrists.  The autistic community has affectionately dubbed this pose “T-Rex arms.”  T-Rex arms are good for many…
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20Sep 2021 by autisticemmalyn
Professionals and Poor Treatment

Professionals and Poor Treatment

Feelings
Hey there.  Today I want to talk about a serious issue a lot of autistic people face, and that is poor treatment by “professionals.”  For various reasons, an individual may not be fully equipped to truly aid an autistic person, even if they have a license or degree, and this can have catastrophic consequences for the autistic patient.  Unfortunately, the biggest problem is that many professionals seem to think they are doing a great job, and so they continue to exercise harmful behavior towards the very people they’re supposed to be helping. One way autistic people can be hurt by professionals is the failure to take another perspective (related - This is My Reality.) Many autistic people find themselves the victim of bullying, abuse, other conditions, and more.  However, some…
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23Aug 2021 by autisticemmalyn
The Importance of Comfort Characters and Media for Autistic People

The Importance of Comfort Characters and Media for Autistic People

Experiences, Feelings
Hey everyone!  Today I’m going to discuss comfort characters and media and why they’re especially important for autistic people. What is a Comfort Character/Piece of Media and How Do They Help? In essence, a comfort character, book, movie, etc. is a person or work that helps someone calm down and relax.  Anyone can have a comfort character or piece of media; however, in this post, I’m going to be writing about how they’re helpful to autism specifically.  These creations are beneficial for autistic people in a variety of ways. They make the person happy.  When you’re reading a book or watching a movie in your spare time, the overall goal is to feel good.  Whether it’s comedy, fantasy, or even horror, the media you’re likely to choose is enjoyable to…
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02Aug 2021 by autisticemmalyn
Observations about Autistic Communication

Observations about Autistic Communication

Feelings
Hi readers!  Today I want to share some things I've noticed about autistic communication styles that neurotypicals may initially misunderstand or not even be aware of.  These observations are fascinating to me and I'm so excited to share them with you! Want to listen instead? Check out the video! https://youtu.be/xoDj2gX_4Is Autistic people talk freely.  When us autistic people talk, we tend to share whatever's on our mind.  This can be pretty much anything from the current environment to theories to special interests. We tend not to ask questions.  Autistic people tend not to ask questions in conversation.  Why?  It's because we assume that like us, if you want to share something, you're going to share it.  While this may seem like we're rude or uninterested, it's really just that we…
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26Jul 2021 by autisticemmalyn

How Autistic People Experience Pain

Feelings
Today I want to delve into a topic that I don’t see discussed very often, and that is how autistic people feel pain.  Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misconceptions around autistic pain, and many people may not even recognize that an autistic person is physically uncomfortable or worse. Audio coming soon! The first thing I want to describe to you is touch.  Touch is probably one of the most widely recognized means from which autistic people receive pain.  Many of us absolutely hate light touch, especially if it’s unexpected.  Why?  This is because it can cause a number of irritating effects - itchy or crawly skin, tight muscles, and even a burning sensation.  These feelings tend to radiate outward from the spot and linger, thus making them even more dreadful…
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