Funkonovo/Allison's autism Blog

Purple and red were the colors I chose the day the classical music played through an old, slightly warped and scratchy sounding record player. Peaks and valleys gave way to holes in the paper made by too much pressure from my hands. Us six-year-olds were asked to draw how we "saw" the music. Sight wasn't the first sense that came to mind. It was my hearing. I used the crayons to illustrate the stabbing pain I felt physically in my ears that wound up in my shutting down, hands over my ears and face down on the desk, near tears. I had a kind first grade teacher who had something many other teachers lacked: common sense. She genuinely cared for her students. Noting my condition, she asked to see my paper. "Oh my!" she said, asking for the paper. She later called my parents, not to complain, but to tell them that something was wrong and that she was concerned. The matter wasn't discussed further. I wasn't blamed or shamed by my teacher or parents. If ...

The ugliest word in the English language You know the ugliest word in the English language? Some think it’s moist. It’s NOT. The ugliest word in the English language is PUCE. Puce. Why not PUKE? Well, might not sell at Sherwin Williams. Dictonary.com defines puce as being “ of a dark or brownish purple” in color. Ok. I get that. I never had a Puce crayon. Brown, purple, THOSE ARE COLORS. Not PUCE. How about using language that describes the thing you’re talking about? You know, adjectives and nouns. “Honey, let’s paint the baby’s room a matte puce.” Sounds a little gross and possibly nasty, too. “Honey, let’s paint the nursery eggplant.” And she says, “Oh, it’s so organic! I love it!” _________________________________________________________________________________ Superfly So I’m watching the news and I hear this low pitched hum. Hoping it’s not a small aircraft poised to crash land on my roof, I get up and look around. It’s springtime in the northern...

Pink clouds with words. I'm not trying to offend anyone, though inevitably, I will. I think using politically correct terminology  has its setbacks. Today, everybody gets offended at everything. It is pathetic. People heatedly debate each other over issues such as using person first language. As long as you don't forget that there is a person, unique and created by God, then I am fine with being called autistic or a person with autism. Both are true. Both are not all there is to me, though. I spend a lot of time blogging about my autism experience, but that isn't all of me. I am also creative, empathetic, young at heart and enjoy nature. I have thoughts, feelings, and ideas like everyone else, yet I am myself, one of a kind.

2  women of different ages hugging There is (yet another) stereotype about autistic people that they have no friends. While socializing and finding someone (either NT or ND ) who accepts you for who you are (not who their idea of you is) has been a struggle for me, I do have one friend and she is a great blessing in my life. I didn't have any friends growing up. I did have a reoccurring summer playmate for a few years but come school time, I became invisible to her. She was popular and probably didn't want her friends knowing she knew me. I did have a few casual friends in middle school the place I call day prison due to the bullying and generally hostile, tense and loud environment. They succumbed to peer pressure in high school. People asked them why they hung out with me and one of them told me she was tired of getting mean stuff said to her for being my friend. She asked my permission to leave the friendship. I forgave her and have forgiven a lot of other peop...

Concept: What works for some doesn't work for all. Red square peg can't fit in round hole. Maybe it's just me, but I am greatly concerned about the motivation(s)  behind the NT movement to get autistic people employed and living independently.  It is every parent's hope to see their kids grow to be safe and content long after they are deceased. The government would love to see more disabled people paying taxes instead of relying on "handouts". For those autistic people requiring minor support who can cope with the MANY aspects of living in the everyday world, with its noise and confusion, speed and growing cultural apathy who can do a job, it is important and it matters they receive and have access to those supports. I am in no way against the personal betterment of each and every autistic individual to attain the best life possible-  for them. I am concerned that those who cannot ever support themselves given their autism, those like me,...