An Autistic Author

Hey, this is Jacob, I've contributed before to the politics and ADHD blogs, but this is a first for me. I do NOT have autism (that I'm aware of). I've had some suspicions in the past, but even if I do ADHD rules my life far more than any symptoms that make me consider Autism. Nevertheless, it has become a strong part of my life. About a year ago, my son was diagnosed. We knew he had ADHD already, but he was far from what I've dealt with and there seemed to be more issues than just ADHD. 

 So, in this blog I generally like to try to stick to the topic of Autism, how it affects me, tips and tricks and sometimes we go into other topics surrounding neurodiversity. But today is another one of those days where I talk about my personal life, my struggles, successes and failures. 

Life can be challenging, and navigating the world as an autistic individual presents unique experiences and obstacles. While embracing our strengths and celebrating our differences is crucial, it's also essential to acknowledge that everyone, including autistic individuals, may face times when additional support is needed. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of seeking extra support as an autistic person, recognizing when it's okay not to be okay, and understanding when and how to reach out for assistance.

Did you know that being neurodiverse is something truly special? It means that your brain is wired in a unique and wonderful way, offering a different lens through which you perceive and interact with the world. Embracing neurodiversity is all about recognizing and appreciating the strengths and unique perspectives that you bring to social interactions. So, let your true self shine and show the world the amazing gifts that come with being neurodiverse!

 Have you ever experienced a disturbing thought that just wouldn't go away? Maybe it was a violent image or a taboo desire that seemed to come out of nowhere. If so, you're not alone. Millions of people experience intrusive thoughts, and they can be both unsettling and distressing. In this post, we'll explore what intrusive thoughts are, why they happen, and what you can do to manage them.

  This is the second post in this series where I talk about my various mental health struggles and symptoms and how they have evolved over the years. Today, as you will know from the title we are talking about my journey with anxiety!

So, I know that this blog is mostly aimed at autism, I mean it's right in the name. But it is important to know that many of us with autism end up in similar situations to me. Where we need many types of medication to deal with our mental health. 

Having autism can be extremely challenging. Holding down a job, forming meaningful relationships, achieving independence, dealing with finances, and coping with anxiety, can all take a toll on our mental health. Autistic people are statistically much more likely to suffer from co-existing mental health conditions.

So, first thing first, I am talking about my own experiences as an autistic person. Although this is the way death affects me, and the way I choose to cope. It may not be the way another person on the spectrum would feel or deal with it. As always, your mileage may vary. 

So, I have found myself in a very strange state of mind lately. And that is, the fact that for the first time in forever my mental health is very well managed these days. That's not to say that I don't have any struggles anymore, just that I have a handle on the situation most of the time. 

Autism is a pretty common condition that affects people from all walks of life, all around the globe.  Despite the fact that it is relatively common, it is one of the most misunderstood conditions out there. So, I decided it was time to post a few facts about autism that I think could help those who struggle to understand. 

The first reading of the academic year was a poem written by Oskar Wilde - if you couldn't tell by the title. For context, Oskar Wilde was born in Dublin in 1854 and died in 1900. This was during the Victorian era, when capital punishment, although public executions were abolished in 1868, was still very popular; with private executions frequently being taken place. 

So, for the first time in a long time, I have been single for longer than a couple months. in the past I have found myself constantly needing to be in a relationship. In some ways, I was uncomfortable with being alone, but also there was some idea that I was failing if I was not in a relationship. As if somehow my value was related to being able to find someone who claimed they loved me.