Archive for April, 2011

your dreams will be reduced down to breathing, and you will be grateful

The thing about not-being-a-person is: They will say those people and the price of being a person is to nod and agree that yes, those people aren’t people at all. They will have no idea who they are talking to. You yourself will start to forget, too. They will say a million small things that sow the seeds for violence done against you, and you will smile and let them. You will do math, constantly. How much do I want to be a person today? How much do I want this project to succeed? How much honesty can I afford? How much dishonesty will kill me? What is the cost of coming out? Is there a way to delay, soften, transmute? How long can I survive as half a person? Ever since the world ended ... I don't go out as much. People that I once befriended, just don't bother to stay in touch. Things that used to seem so splendid, don't really matter today. It's just as well the world ended -- it wasn't working anyway. Your dreams will be reduced down to breathing. [Read More]

on 03/5/12 | 2 Comments | Read More

When Is a Disability Not a Disability? Autism Speaks Has the Answer

When is a disability not a disability?  When it is a “disorder.”  Geri Dawson of Autism Speaks made that clear yesterday in her report out from the Research and Innovation session at the White...[Read More]

on 04/29/11 | 12 Comments | Read More

Color (a modest plea)

“It [autism] delays the most — delays or impairs for life — the most human thing we have, which is our ability to look into each other’s eyes and feel that other person’s existence and wh...[Read More]

on 04/28/11 | 5 Comments | Read More

The Eternal Song, Part Two: Rehearsal

As she had been taught, Wiilu took a deep breath and imagined strong magical energy flowing through her body before she began to sing. She was to be a vessel only, a conduit between earth and sky, a ...[Read More]

on 04/27/11 | 3 Comments | Read More

Recovery from JSD–My family’s journey

When my husband and I were about to become new parents, we were typically excited, and also typically naive.  We fantasized about our new family and the life our daughter, Serenity Grace, would ha...[Read More]

on 04/26/11 | No Comments | Read More

Social Choreography/The Mark of Cain

Quite simply, some of us never picked up basic social norms during childhood. Consider:  one can almost tell a Brit and an American apart by their age lines.  Each adheres to a different set of o...[Read More]

on 04/25/11 | No Comments | Read More

She’s Such a Scream (Is there a transitive property to autistic characteristics?)

Coffeehouse musicians sometimes employ a bit of stage banter that plays on everyone's rudimentary knowledge of music theory; following a well-received song, they will with tongue-in-cheek earnestness ...[Read More]

on 04/22/11 | 2 Comments | Read More

The Eternal Song, Part One: Beauty

Looking down into the narrow ravine, the goatherd Ko-ato saw only a glimpse of the swift-running stream beneath the laurel trees. The sound of its rushing waters, fed by snowmelt from the island’s v...[Read More]

on 04/20/11 | No Comments | Read More

An Open Letter to Robert MacNeil Regarding PBS’ Autism Now Series

Dear Mr. MacNeil, It has come to my attention that you are spreading dehumanizing stereotypes about us.  In an interview to promote your upcoming series, Autism Now (formerly Autism Today), you sa...[Read More]

on 04/18/11 | 7 Comments | Read More

The Myth of Introvert Sociopathy

The stereotype in real life and in Hollywood is that serial killers or those who go on shooting rampages are nearly always described as being "really quiet." I have repeatedly had people jokingly ...[Read More]

on 04/18/11 | No Comments | Read More

Autism Acceptance for Autism Awareness Month

Well, Shakers and public, it is April, and that can only mean one thing to this autistic blogger:  Autism Awareness Month is here for another 30 days, and without a time machine, there's no escapin...[Read More]

on 04/15/11 | 1 Comment | Read More

Ableism on Display: The New York Times Review of Wretches and Jabberers

The March 31 issue of the New York Times includes a short review of the film Wretches and Jabberers, a documentary that details the work of two autistic men as they travel the world to change hearts...[Read More]

on 04/13/11 | No Comments | Read More

Absolution

If the very existence of one’s proclivities and personality is deemed an illness, a blight, simply the wrong answer to what society desires: it is in a word to be Incorrect. To not commit a ...[Read More]

on 04/11/11 | 3 Comments | Read More

Because Screaming Gets Boring After a While

I’d been on something of a hiatus from online autism advocacy, because I’ve had a real life, and because even my perseverant spirit can occasionally be worn down by circular arguments upon circu...[Read More]

on 04/8/11 | No Comments | Read More

Finding Balance

We’ve recently had some discussion here on Shift Journal about Dan Haggard’s article on the hacker/artist divide, in which he points out that the two groups are much more alike than they may seem....[Read More]

on 04/6/11 | 6 Comments | Read More

Autistics Speaking Day

Being autistic is being set up to fail again and again, and having your inevitable failure attributed to your disordered brain. Being autistic is being set up to fail again and again, and succe...[Read More]

on 04/5/11 | 1 Comment | Read More

Introvert Hobbies

Extreme introverts are able to go through life believing they are the only one because all others, like them, are driven underground. However one can find members of a tiny minority by going to plac...[Read More]

on 04/4/11 | 1 Comment | Read More

Dispelling Ten Myths About Introverts

As most SVP readers know far too well from first hand experience, the myths about introverts abound.  If you get tired of being misunderstood by friends, family, and coworkers, consider printing t...[Read More]

on 04/4/11 | 1 Comment | Read More

From the Link Cellar this Week

Fresh, resurrected, or newly discovered links from across the internet and the dusty reaches of Shift Journal's archives. • • • • • • • Loving Lampposts: •  S...[Read More]

on 04/4/11 | No Comments | Read More

To Old Friends and Family

When I speak of Autism, please know I love your support and understanding. When I speak of my Autistic children, please know I understand them very well because I’ve been diagnosed myself. Whe...[Read More]

on 04/1/11 | No Comments | Read More