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Meet others living with autism: Come say hi
Autism (ASD) | Last Active: Dec 27, 2021 | Replies (149)Comment receiving replies
@lisalucier It seems I have always marched to a different drummer. If the school system, and my parents, would have allowed me to be who I ultimately am, things would have been easier. I was a challenge to keep amused and educated, because I learned quickly and absorbed complex ideas. But growing up in the 50s and 60s, there was no support for children like me. I refused to follow set patterns and was known as "wierd". My senses are highly tuned, noises/lights/ textures/etc. put me into overload, and do to this day. I can honestly say that there might have been only a few adults who saw my potential as a youngster, but could not support me. I learned to sequester myself, and sought out that which interested me, in spite of jumping over stereotypical barriers.
In today's educational and social setting, I like to think my gifts would have been celebrated by placement into programs that didn't exist then. I think it would have made a world of difference.
Ginger
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Good Saturday morning to you, my friends. @gingerw, you and I would have just had to have been good friends back in the day. There were no programs for children like me. In the 50's and 60's the best I could hope for was to be ignored
I wanted to fit in, to be accepted. That did not happen. In high school, most of my friends were shy, quiet introverts. I didn't bring people home because of my home situation. I didn't go to other people's homes because I was too anxious. Too sensitive. Too afraid of how I would get along in a new, strange place. Even for a weekend.
I had one really sharp teacher who was kind to me. Somehow she understood me. She was a biology teacher, so I suspect, looking back, that she had a clue as to what was going on with me.
The world we live in is not kind to those who are different, in any way. When we have to have celebrities speak up for us, and run campaigns to raise awareness, well, that should tell us something.
Feeling particularly aware of my differences today. Struggled yesterday after an extremely difficult encounter with someone who is not coping well with their illnesses and limitations. Hard to shake off the feelings of despair. Especially when your life has been built on being positive and looking for the good .
Still looking.
Love and light,
Mamacita Jane