A Neurodivergent Rebel's Ramblings

Today I’m BACK with my first long-format-video-essay in over a year. Due to how NeuroDivergent People’s struggles are often used to describe and define us (especially in medical contexts), our weaknesses too frequently overshadow our strengths. Patreon members, Facebook Supporters, and YouTube channel members had access to this video on Wed, January 3, 2023. The video’s public release will be Friday, January 5, 2023.

I am Autistic, PLUS (On Twitter, I typed this out as shorthand Autism+ because of character limitations, and we made jokes it sounded like a video streaming service, like Disney+). This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/05/10/when-i-said-theres-no-such-thing-as-severe-autism-most-people-missed-the-point/

Often, rather than sorting through all the information required to make a choice. It is much simpler (in that moment) not to choose (which technically IS a choice), or go with a safe familiar option. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/05/08/autism-choices-why-making-decisions-is-hard-for-me-as-an-autistic-person/

On Twitter, there was an interesting discussion I dropped in on recently talking about the medical model of Autism and how, technically (under the medical model), to be defined as an Autistic Person in a medical context, you must be someone whose Autistic traits “cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning.” Due to the language above, this person suggested if you’re not struggling, you might not be Autistic in a medical context (regardless if you were diagnosed previously and met the criteria). “Are they Autistic?” they asked. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/05/03/if-an-autistic-person-isnt-currently-struggling-are-they-still-autistic/

NeuroDivergent people’s differences are cognitive and invisible and impact how we interpret the world, process information, and interact with others. Our differences also impact our strengths and weaknesses, what tasks and environments will drain us, and what tasks and environments will invigorate us. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/05/02/neurodivergence-surviving-capitalism-as-an-autistic-adhd-human-and-finding-a-career-path-that-works-for-you/

Our individual brains’ combination of NeuroTypes (because people seldom have only one measurable brain difference) heavily influences our reality, including our experience of time (and space). This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/05/01/neurodivergence-time-hyperfocus-managing-time-hyperfocus-as-an-neurodivervgent-person-so-it-doesnt-ruin-your-life-an-autistic-adhd-perspective/

I’d been told to listen to these adults and do what they said, and they had said I was “bad,” and I believed them. Since I thought I was “bad,” I felt I deserved all the punishment (abuse) I received. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/04/28/abused-at-school-why-autistic-kids-may-not-speak-up-when-theyve-been-harmed-by-a-teacher/

These “disability hiring initiatives” often put those they’re supposed to serve on display, so organizations can look good by “offering jobs to people with disabilities,” but often leave us behind. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/04/27/the-future-is-inclusive-by-design-asking-businesses-and-organizations-to-do-more-when-considering-neurodiversity-universal-design-and-inclusion-because-it-benefits-everyone/

This week two Substack Community Members have asked me to share advice on how to deal with “huge emotions” or “when emotions are just too big and overwhelming.” This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/04/24/autistic-people-and-huge-emotions-or-big-feelings-when-emotions-are-too-big-and-overwhelming/

If Autistic People are determined “too vulnerable” to know what’s best for us in one area of our lives, what’s to stop them from applying this logic to other areas? This episode is also available as a blog post: https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2023/04/20/autistic-trans-adults-are-the-latest-target-of-anti-trans-legislation-but-all-autistics-are-in-danger/