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.

Good Thursday morning to you, my friends. Enjoy your cup of coffee or tea,whichever suits your fancy. Whether you are Neurotypical or Neurodiverse, I hope that you find something of interest here at the Spectrum Cafe.

I am always learning, always open to understanding the world of emotions, behavior, skills, intelligence, education, ability, disability....the end grows long. My beloved Grandchildren are the source of my desire to understand better this world we are in.

I think most of us want the same things. To be healthy, live a productive life, and have a family and friends to share life with. To enjoy the beauty of this planet we call home.

That's about as deep as I'm going to get for now. For now, let's just enjoy that cup of coffee and feel that cool breeze. Before we know it Fall will be here, at least in North America. Let us celebrate this gift of life every day. And many thanks to Mayo Clinic Connect for allowing us to meet here.

Love and light, until next time,
Mamacita Jane

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Hi all, just popping in to remind you to be yourself. Be your own Ausome self. It worked for the winner of America's Got Talent! And for the little Irish boy whose video has gone viral. And it works for me and you. We are better together.

Love and light,
Mamacita Jane

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Happy TGIF Day, friends and family! Just popping in to remind you that exciting and wonderful things are happening for us on the Spectrum

Are we totally where we need to be? No. But are we making progress?

Absolutely. I raise my glass of Southern Sweet tea to all who speak up for this tribe . To those of you who stop by and listen for a bit. To those of you in the trenches. The moms, dads, teachers, support workers, therapists and counselors. To you who are actually autistic and proud of it.

The lawyers, teachers, and professionals who are brave and "come out" to a world that does not usually understand them.

Thank you for allowing us a voice here, Mayo Clinic Connect. You're the best.

And we won't ever forget it. Now, pour yourself a cuppa. Relax. You've got this

Mamacita
(Aka Jane)

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Good Friday evening, my peeps. I hope everyone has had a good day.

Anyone read about our Miss Greta? She is only sixteen years old. She is making a life changing difference in our world. Sixteen. And Aspie.

We too can make a difference in our little corner of the world every day. We might not be in the running for the Nobel Peace Prize. Sometimes we are doing good to get the dishes done and maybe, if we are lucky, a shower.

But we can always say a prayer. Send love and positive energy. Study. Read. Learn. So that we can help each other along the way.

We are better together.
Mamacita Jane

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Happy Saturday morning, me lovelies! I'm not going to keep you very long this morning.

I just wanted to remind you that you are welcome here. Come rest for awhile. Put your feet up. Just not on the table, please, because we do have a few rules around here, after all!

What is your beverage preference? Whether it is coffee, tea, or a mug of hot chocolate, we have a place set for you.

If you can go back in your imagination to days long gone, remember the soft, welcoming arms of a favored Granny or Auntie. Her dress was always clean and freshly pressed, and when she held you in her arms, you breathed in that lovely fragrance of starch and cotton.

Her apron was a different matter altogether. Covered with blackberry juice and bits of floured dough here and there...but you didn't mind. She was yours. And you were hers. The tears and heart aches of the week that passed melted away in the love that she gave.

That's what I have to fall back on. When the world fails me, I have that kind of love to keep me straight. It is only when I get caught up in the wearies of this world that I tend to lose sight of that perfect love.

Keep looking up. Keep checking in here and other places on Connect. There is a place for you. I am sure of it. Reach out to the wonderful folks at Connect. They don't give up. They will open that door and tell you with a smile, "Come on in and stay awhile. "

I like that. I think you will too.If you didn't have that Granny or Auntie in your childhood, you can borrow mine.
Love and hugs,
Mamacita Jane

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@mamacita Thank you for reminding me of my “happy place.”

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@mamacita

Happy Saturday morning, me lovelies! I'm not going to keep you very long this morning.

I just wanted to remind you that you are welcome here. Come rest for awhile. Put your feet up. Just not on the table, please, because we do have a few rules around here, after all!

What is your beverage preference? Whether it is coffee, tea, or a mug of hot chocolate, we have a place set for you.

If you can go back in your imagination to days long gone, remember the soft, welcoming arms of a favored Granny or Auntie. Her dress was always clean and freshly pressed, and when she held you in her arms, you breathed in that lovely fragrance of starch and cotton.

Her apron was a different matter altogether. Covered with blackberry juice and bits of floured dough here and there...but you didn't mind. She was yours. And you were hers. The tears and heart aches of the week that passed melted away in the love that she gave.

That's what I have to fall back on. When the world fails me, I have that kind of love to keep me straight. It is only when I get caught up in the wearies of this world that I tend to lose sight of that perfect love.

Keep looking up. Keep checking in here and other places on Connect. There is a place for you. I am sure of it. Reach out to the wonderful folks at Connect. They don't give up. They will open that door and tell you with a smile, "Come on in and stay awhile. "

I like that. I think you will too.If you didn't have that Granny or Auntie in your childhood, you can borrow mine.
Love and hugs,
Mamacita Jane

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@mamacita Please let me borrow your Auntie or Granny. Your description sounds so lovely. When i was in 5th grade, I stepped too close to a classmate who was swinging his bat at softball, because I wanted to correct the way he was holding it. Instead he connected with the side of my head, as he swung. Our teacher enveloped me in a big hug, and to this day, all I could think was, "this is the first time being hugged by someone." Connect is a place for me.
Ginger

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@downtowntiger

@mamacita Thank you for reminding me of my “happy place.”

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@downtowntiger, you are very welcome. Very special memories help us to endure hard times.

Mamacita Jane

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@gingerw

@mamacita Please let me borrow your Auntie or Granny. Your description sounds so lovely. When i was in 5th grade, I stepped too close to a classmate who was swinging his bat at softball, because I wanted to correct the way he was holding it. Instead he connected with the side of my head, as he swung. Our teacher enveloped me in a big hug, and to this day, all I could think was, "this is the first time being hugged by someone." Connect is a place for me.
Ginger

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@ginger, Volunteer Mentor, I gladly donate all of my memories of Grandmotherly love to you.

It would give me great pleasure to share what meant so much to me as a young child, growing up.

Love and virtual hugs,

Mamacita Jane

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@artscaping , @gingerw, Happy Sunday!

What's for lunch? At my house, growing up, it would be the best fried chicken you ever put in your mouth. With homemade biscuits, greens, and banana pudding for dessert.

My Mama really showed out on Sundays. My Dad would putter around in his garage. I would hang out with him, do my homework, sit in my mimosa tree and read.

We spent a lot of time outside. In the fall he would rake leaves and burn them. On Sunday night, we would have cheese toast for dinner while we watched the Wonderful World of Disney. I adored that show.

Funny the things you remember as a child.

I hope all of us here take a moment to remember those who made a positive impact in our lives.

Not all memories are so precious. For those we ask for healing. Grace and mercy, strength to grow and overcome.

There is still beauty in this world. If we need more of it in our lives we must make an effort to grasp it. Fight for it. Sit still for it. Embrace it.

Your friend and fellow traveler,

Mamacita

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