trimalkin

  My Mega List of Autistic-friendly Activity Suggestions This list has grown over time with ideas from friends, colleagues, social groups.  They are activities I would feel comfortable hosting or co-hosting, or attending and I have shared many with local groups already.  Posting it here for easy access because sharing is caring.   Special thanks to LM for the huge starter list.  Some activities are local to Calgary but many could be done anywhere you are. Some I would bring foam earplugs for, or call ahead for gluten-free options. photo source: Canva Considerations low demand / easy sensory friendly (bring stim toys & fidgets, scent-free, quiet, temperature not extreme, reduce visual clutter, flashing lights) allergy informed (if food is involved offer gluten-free, nut-free, vegan etc. depending on who RSVPs) accessible (wheelchairs, walkers, walking sticks) drop in - come/leave freely (no fear of being late) ask community what else they’d like to see O...

As I have found, obtaining an adult autism diagnosis can be elusive for a variety of reasons including:  Out of date stereotypes about what autism looks like.  Stigma and deficit-based terminology in diagnostic manuals. A lack of knowledge and confidence in diagnosticians.  Autism traditionally not being recognized in women, trans and non-binary folks. Camouflaging/masking to fit in and be accepted by others.  Dismissal/invalidation of discomfort in childhood, leading living with constant discomfort and believing everyone else does too. Lack of accessibility for patients to diagnosis (location, cost, and wait times). Isolation and lack of digital literacy. Autism - Barriers to Late Diagnosis for Adults The inaccessibility of official diagnosis is one of the main reasons that self-diagnosis is acceptable within the Autistic community. But without an official diagnosis, many of us may continue to feel a bit of imposter syndrome. In Calgary in 2022-23, there were no kno...

  ​​Autistic Burnout - What Helped Me I’d like to share about my experience with autistic burnout. It’s different than depression. Some depression can be alleviated by doing something different, like exercising or socializing. Autistic burnout often requires doing the opposite; that is, doing nothing and isolating in a quiet place all alone, in order to recover. I experience autistic burnout most often from sensory overwhelm, and from masking.  When I’m in autistic burnout, I’m shut down, unable to focus or find my words. I feel depleted, exhausted, sleepy, and incapable of taking care of my basic needs, subsisting on comfort foods like yogurt for days or weeks. I don’t want anyone to talk to me, ask me questions, or make me do anything during these times. Sensory overwhelm is from trying to hear my own thoughts in a loud distracting environment, with multiple conversations, music, or other noises, or people coming and going. That makes it difficult to concentrate on technical...