So I decided, if I am to raise awareness of autism, it would be useful to know what the datum is. I realised it’s all very well talking to other aspies, parents of autistic children, professional care-workers, and others in the know – but if I wanted to know the level of awareness amongst the … Read more Autism Awareness: a Datum
I know this sounds weary, but I am tired of always being the one who has to adapt to any given situation. Because, although people are generally kind and tolerant of those with disabilities, most people don’t even know I have a disability (see previous post). Even when they do, they make no allowances; they … Read more Where Society Meets Autism
I have, seriously, been asked this question. We were talking about the 2010 film The Social Network, and commenting on facebook-founder Mark Zuckerberg’s various aspie-type traits. I’d mentioned how I’d been “just like him” when I was younger (only without the genius), and that’s when my friend said, “So, did you grow out of it?” … Read more So, Did You Grow Out of It?
I didn’t do well at school, and I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. It wasn’t until after my diagnosis (at the age of forty), whilst reading the list of suggested professions in Tony Attwood’s The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome, that I finally realised what I could have … Read more Finally, it All Added Up
Having been brought up on a diet of instant coffee and bullies, I disliked both coffee and people. There was never any point giving either of them a second chance; why bother when you know you’re going to hate the experience? Besides, before I could ever try (or retry) anything new, I had to … Read more Why a Good Friend is Like a Good Cup of Coffee
I’m an aspie. There, I said it. It was on the 16th November 2010, at 1.05pm, when I was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. I cried. It was a life-changing moment, but also a (albeit, harrowing) confirmation of a long-held suspicion, and not a surprise. It has been a surprise for many others, though – those … Read more Hello, my name’s Leigh, and I’m an…
