As a part of Autism Acceptance Month, Neurologic is participating in the #30DaysofAutismAcceptance challenge!
I found the image above last year at https://30-days-of-autism-acceptance.tumblr.com/ along with some excellent prompts - I wasn't able to do it last year, but this year I'm committed to completing the 30 Day challenge.
You can also participate, no matter what social network, forum, or other site you use - just make sure to include the hashtag #30DaysofAutismAcceptance - and if you can only do certain days, that's fully okay!
For those who cannot view the image, here's the topics for each day:
Day 1: Intro post
Day 2: What I love about being autistic is...
Day 3: My diagnosis/discovery story
Day 4: Reactions to “coming out”
Day 5: Special Interests
Day 6: Supports and Appreciation
Day 7: The Autistic Community
Day 8: Favorite Autistic Blog
Day 9: Favorite Autistic-Owned Business
Day 10: Sensory Life
Day 11: Stims
Day 12: Favorite Autism Charity
Day 13: Family
Day 14: Routine
Day 15: Everyone Should Know...
Day 16: Work/School
Day 17: Accomodations
Day 18: Someday...
Day 19: I hate it when...
Day 20: Communication
Day 21: One thing other people don't understand
Day 22: Dispel a myth
Day 23: Can't live without...
Day 24: Political Issue
Day 25: Symbols
Day 26: Favorite Autism Book
Day 27: Identity Language
Day 28: Dealing with meltdowns
Day 29: Famous Autistics
Day 30: Acceptance Means...
Join Neurologic in celebrating ourselves and our fellow autistics during Autism Acceptance Month!
Day 1: Introduction
Greetings, everyone - my name is Leo Jones, and I'm in my mid-30s as I write this.
I was diagnosed 17 years ago, at age 17; growing up I felt the most secure by myself, but had a lot of trouble fitting in, reading other people, making friends, and some executive function issues, along with sensitivity to being in claustrophobic spaces and around loud noises. The first couple of trips to psychologists and psychiatrists for my diagnosis didn't go as planned.
The first doctor declared that it wasn't me, but my parents who were the problem - a welcome endorsement for a then-13-year-old. However, this was not the case; even at that age, I knew my parents were not the cause of my difficulties, my issues ‘fitting in’ or making long-term friends, among others. They loved me, worked to provide for me, and always had my back.
The second doctor, honestly, probably needed to go back to college. After describing issues I had, he declared that what I needed wasn't medication, nor some sort of therapy, but BOOT CAMP. Why? Well, because it worked for his son. Apparently bias and control groups were not something he learned while getting his degree.
Fortunately, my dad considered this to be a non-starter and a clear indicator of what he called “sub-standard bullshit not worth the co-pay”. He made it clear that while I had difficulties, my behaviors didn't warrant something as drastic or radical as being sent off to boot camp, and found such a suggestion completely unacceptable.
Finally, the last doctor we talked with diagnosed me as Autistic (at that time, I fell into the DSM-IV category of Asperger's Syndrome), and instead of the usual doom-and-gloom lectures given by most medical professionals, he told me what I and my parents needed to hear most: “You have autism. You will be able to grow up, get a job, live on your own, get married if you want to, have kids if you want to. Autism is a part of who you are, and you have always been autistic. There are some things that you may need help with, but having autism in no way means you cannot have a life you choose.”
Afterward, my mom took us out for ice cream - this was a time of joyous discovery, finally an answer to the questions that lurked around me my entire life - why do I feel so different from other people, and why is it so difficult to understand them? Why am I different? Is there something wrong with me?
We had something to research, to explore, a major facet of who I am to seek out and study. Despite societal pressures, the way my doctor and my parents handled my diagnosis made a major positive impact on how I viewed autism, and how I viewed myself.
Nearly two decades later I realize I was incredibly fortunate to get such a diagnosis; imagine how we would be treated if this was the way most diagnoses went!
Nevertheless, I'm pleased that you're reading this, and hope you will enjoy the next 30 days of posts.
Warmly,
Leo Jones