1. < Autism (ASD)

Adults On The Autism Spectrum

Posted by Mamacita, Alumna Mentor @mamacita, Apr 29, 2018

Maybe you were really shy as a child. Perhaps you took home a huge stack of books from the school library, read them, and returned them the next day. Or did your best friend find you crying in your closet, unable to answer the question "Why?" At any rate, your life could be traced to the Self-Help section of the local bookstore. Unfortunately, most of the books were not much help. ADHD seemed to fit, at times. Your shrink said you might be Bi-Polar, although she wasn't really certain. All you knew was that you rarely fit in, anywhere. One day at work, it hit you square in the face: I don't speak these people's language! Really, it was like you were all playing this game, and everyone knew the rules but you. You couldn't tell a joke, and you never "got" any joke your co-worker tried to tell you. People started getting annoyed with you, because you had a memory like a steel trap. They didn't appreciate it when you called them on the carpet. Who knew? This was my life, and worse. I finally aced several tests that pointed me to the answer to my questions. The Autism Spectrum. Guess what? Little kids with Autism grow up to be Adults with Autism. Diagnosed late in life? This is the place for you!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autism (ASD) Support Group.

Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Nov 10, 2018
In reply to @gingerw "@Mamacita It has been a rough few days for me, personally. This past Wed night, there..." + (show)
@gingerw

@mamacita It has been a rough few days for me, personally. This past Wed night, there was a mass shooting in Thousand Oaks [CA], where 12 people were killed. The law enforcement officer who was killed was someone I had worked with. As that tragedy unfolded, I watched many former co-workers start to deal with this senseless tragedy. Then, the next day, before first responders could take a breath, a fire started in that same part of the county, and still rages on. There has been so much loss. Last December I was caught up in the big fire in my county, and cowered for 3 days with car packed, fully clothed, little rest, as the storm of flames swirled around and near me. So these two tragedies this week, one manmade, one by nature, has reduced my resilience. The smoke in the air and sight of active fire yesterday, took me right back to last December.

What am I doing today? Talking to you, my cyber friends, around this table of care. Releasing the dark energy. But also being grateful for being able to feel, and acknowledge the effects of the events. It helps a lot.
Ginger

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Oh, dear @gingerw, I had no idea what you were going through. I watched with horror as the news told of people being fired upon in a nightclub. Of the poor man who died trying to save others. He was your friend and work colleague.

And for you to be stranded in the middle of all that inferno. Ginger, please keep us posted. Is there anything that we can do for you? My part of the country just went through Hurricane Michael. Our coastal area next door neighbor,Panama City, was hit like an atomic bomb. Three of my cousins lost their home.

I was looking at some news and saw how many homes were destroyed just today in your part of the country. One of our churches was totally consumed by fire. It breaks my heart, as I know it must yours.

Please know that we are sending positive energy, love, and prayers to you and all of the people who are struggling. You must feel like the world and everything in it has turned it's back on you. We love you, and are hoping for the best for you! You will always have a place here at this table. Be safe. Go somewhere safe. Things are just things. I'm sorry that devastation has taken your things. They are precious to you. But your life is more so. So much more. Good night, sweet girl. May your tomorrow be better than today.

Mamacita (Jane)

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Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Nov 10, 2018

@gingerw, I just realized your staying in your car for three days was last year. Still traumatic, still devastating. I hope you and your community has better days ahead, and soon.

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Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Nov 10, 2018
In reply to @johnbishop "Good morning Mamacita @mamacita, I am excited to see this discussion that you started become so..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Good morning Mamacita @mamacita, I am excited to see this discussion that you started become so active. Greetings from South Eastern Minnesota where it's brignt, sunny and currently 5 degrees but it is supposed to get up to a high of 24 degrees today. We have a dusting of snow almost covering the ground and it's starting to look a little like Christmas even though we haven't celebrated Thanksgiving yet. Does your local school district have a Community Education Department? They have that here in Minnesota and they normally offer some great adult education on computers and social media for us Oldies but Goodies.

I had not heard of Jeanette Purkis Au mentioned in your previous post but I did a little searching and maybe these links will help.

Jeanette Purkis on autism and empowerment
-- https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/allinthemind/jeanette-purkis-autism-empowerment/7528224

Reflections on 'Lateral Violence and the Autistic Community (her website/blog)
-- https://jeanettepurkis.wordpress.com/2018/11/08/reflections-on-lateral-violence-and-the-autistic-community/

Disability, Resilience and Achieving the Supposedly Impossible: Jeanette Purkis at TEDxCanberra
-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqdGb4TraFk

John

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Well shiver me timbers, and ship ahoy! You are the best, John! Thank you! Looking into Community Education/Computer Classes! And Jeanette is awesome.

Mamacita

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Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Nov 10, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@johnbishop Hi John: I just listened to the above video. It was wonderful! Thanks for sharing..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

@johnbishop
Hi John:

I just listened to the above video. It was wonderful! Thanks for sharing that.

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Teresa, she has a blog, a website, and has authored multiple books on Autism. She is truly and advocate for Autism Acceptance and understanding!

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 11, 2018
In reply to @mamacita "Teresa, she has a blog, a website, and has authored multiple books on Autism. She is..." + (show)
@mamacita

Teresa, she has a blog, a website, and has authored multiple books on Autism. She is truly and advocate for Autism Acceptance and understanding!

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I will check out her blog/website. @mamacita. She is an exceptional teacher!

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sirgalahad | @sirgalahad | Nov 11, 2018

good morning and i hope all my Yankee mates get thru the upcoming winter its snowing in some parts already and raging wildfire in California . i hope all of you stay safe especially gingerw from the shooting and the stupidity of allowing sub machine guns in suburban america. i wish you all hugs and cuddles

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sirgalahad | @sirgalahad | Nov 11, 2018

Colleen Young did you get my email i sent to you and did it make sense

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 11, 2018
In reply to @sirgalahad "Colleen Young did you get my email i sent to you and did it make sense" + (show)
@sirgalahad

Colleen Young did you get my email i sent to you and did it make sense

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Yes, thank you.

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1 reply
sirgalahad | @sirgalahad | Nov 11, 2018
In reply to @colleenyoung "Yes, thank you." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Yes, thank you.

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thanks

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Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Nov 11, 2018
In reply to @sirgalahad "good morning and i hope all my Yankee mates get thru the upcoming winter its snowing..." + (show)
@sirgalahad

good morning and i hope all my Yankee mates get thru the upcoming winter its snowing in some parts already and raging wildfire in California . i hope all of you stay safe especially gingerw from the shooting and the stupidity of allowing sub machine guns in suburban america. i wish you all hugs and cuddles

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@sirgalahad , here in North Alabama we have launched into a cold spell. Housewives are busy gathering up their precious blooming flowers and bringing them inside. Sunrooms,laundry rooms, and dens quickly acquire new residents . With a wing and a prayer these blooms will hang on throughout the fall and winter. By spring, after the threat of frost is past, all the moms and grammas can remove their little hot house plants out side where they belong.
This hothouse flower has worked really hard today. My foot is propped up, I'm eating the best thin crust pizza one can buy at Krogers, I'm looking forward to the holidays. The seasons change and so do we. Isn't it great to be human? We are awesome, whether we are Autistic or Neurotypical. Love you guys, and hope to hear from y'all again very soon!

Mamacita

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