Note: As part of my Day Program, I contribure to the program's newsletter. In June 2021, that Newsletter transitoned to a monthly basis as much of the elements of the program are back to a in-person status.
Month: June 2022
Professional Dependence
For most of my life since being a pre-teen, I have had some involvement with mental health services. Some I have aged out, Some became no longer beneficial and some are expected to be life long or decades in existence. As such, dependance on the professionals providing us these services has to be a fine line of problem-solving that must be completed with what is modeled to us first before we have to go to them with some miniscule complaint that we have.
Wellness Wednesday: Understanding the Importance of Sleep
One of the common issues that autistic individuals face is the ability to sleep. I am no casualty of this and for many years have struggled with the ability to procure a good night’s sleep. However, now as an adult I find it imperative that it is essential to do so in order to function through life.
Social Security, SSI Benefits Expected To Increase Significantly
by Shaun Heasley, Disability Scoop | June 28, 2022 Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries could see their monthly payments rise again next year by the largest amount in decades, experts say. Thanks to growing inflation, the automatic cost of living adjustment, or COLA, that benefits recipients receive annually could be much larger than usual.… Continue reading Social Security, SSI Benefits Expected To Increase Significantly
Reflections: When the Internet goes out, What do you do?
A few weeks ago, central service lines to a neighboring broadband provider were severed, thus incapacitating broadband and TV services for a majority of the county in which I reside.There have also been instances of power outages in order to upgrade services in some areas in recent weeks. Although I have been mostly spared by these outages, I have begun to think as many autistics are technology dependent for the sole purpose of entertainment and information, it is imperative to have a “back-up” plan should that ever happen.
Adulting: Expected Maturity and Expectations
In most cases, when you come of age and become an adult, if you are able in the capacity that you are able, it is expected that you explore the possibility of being employed to some extent. However, my mind many times thinks that I don’t need to do that, even though I know that is not the case.
The Importance of Natural Supports
Last week, as part of many of my mental health services, I had to undergo my assessment as part of re-establishing goals for the services I receive. In one assessment, one of the questions that frequently appeared was what was identified as ‘natural supports’. Until some years ago, I lacked this in many ways. In fact, it takes courage sometimes as an autistic person to seek out someone to be a natural support and be able to maintain that contact.
Wellness Wednesday: Learning New Eating Practices
Inflation has been astounding in recent weeks. Food and Gas prices are soaring and presently there is no end in sight. I can look out my window and see the effects of this happening frequently and as such it can be hard to accept. However, I am thankful for the resources that I am provided to make sure that I am fed and taken care of.
Autism Plays Big Role In New Movie
An actress with autism is making her debut alongside Dakota Johnson in a new feature film that’s out in theaters.
Reflections: Growing, Learning and Grace
The past week has been full of planning, goal setting and other things that become necessary in the realm of being connected to Mental Health Services. In that process I had two takeaways that I learned last week and one of those was about giving myself some grace, accepting mistakes and learning from them.
Adulting: Special Interests and Limits
A few weekends ago, I had the opportunity to re-ignite some of the special interests that I had from many years ago, but somehow slipped away from being independent. As I am now in a good spot mentally and need something to engage my mind as I am having increasingly more space time, I am learning that I am once again picking up on more of my special interests that I had minimally been engaging since being independent.
Preventing Mental Isolating
Last week, I had some days at home and towards the end of the extended time at home. While being independent has its benefits and can be a great thing, a huge concept of what must be maintained, at least in myself, is the ability to not mentlly isolate and not want to do anything.
Drumming Improves Behavior In Young People With Autism, Study Finds
by Shaun Heasley, via Disability Scoop | June 14, 2022 A new study suggests that playing the drums can help those with autism. (David Martin/Unsplash) Learning to play the drums could make a big difference for adolescents with autism, with new research finding that acquiring the skill leads to better emotional control and fewer behavior… Continue reading Drumming Improves Behavior In Young People With Autism, Study Finds
Wellness Wednesday: Small Strides, Small Progress
Well again, I am met with another accountability point. Two months ago I was given firm medical advice to get my weight under control as there were alot of factors related to my obesity that were not favorable. I was pleased to hear that I made good progress, but the journey is not over.
Reflections: Another Year Older Doesn’t Change Anything
Last weekend, I had the opportunity of turning another year older. While I have had a great amount of personal growth within the past year or so, I have to accept that there are some things that aren’t going to change, no matter how much I want them to. I must accept them for what they are and not have a guilt trip about them and cause my mental health to decline.
Adulting: Event Anxiety
As I enter summer, the prevalence of more activity is more abund. As the rest of the world seems as things were three summers ago, for my autistic mind, it just isn’t that way.
Understanding What Works
Autism is a struggle, there is no denial of that. When an autistic person such as myself has to navigate through the motions in a world that isn’t necessarily designed for us, we can be severely affected as a result of many actions that we may not be able to control. However, for me, I had to understand what works and actually put it to use so I can manage the life I must endure.
Wellness Wednesday: Understanding The Need to Care For Yourself
I come to you on another Wednesday, in a much better state than the last few. It has taken me a while to recoup from what is hopefully the last of an almost four year relapse that I have been experiencing that I had finally had an epiphany a few weeks ago.
Reflections: Cherish The Memories
Recently, I experienced a challenging outing with my mother. In having that experience, I learned from her that we need to cherish the memories we can have while we are still able to have them before we can no longer experience them.
Adulting: Learning to Consider Others
As I am maturing in life, I am learning that life can’t be all about what I want and that there are others, including those that help me do things that I need to consider their needs and feelings and not be as self-centered on my own personal needs and intentions as that can seem selfish.
Dustin's Dynasty 