I really hate Windows

Microsoft Windows that is.

I swear somebody there hates me.  Just kidding.  But my most recent deallings with windows and Dell has driven that point home this month.

Go back to July 2008  Goofy computer didn't want to start up.  Actually Windows didn't want to load.  It would load if it was cool i.e. left off for an hour or so.  But if it needed a hard reboot or even just to be restarted, forget it.  During this time, it usually had to be shut down by holding the power button for 10 seconds or so.  It got to the point that it wouldn't even start in safe mode.  So I got out my trusty Lapple-apple as Katie calls my ibook, and went on Dell's chat support   ** Note to Dell users: If possible use chat instead of phoning them.  You get a print out as proof of what you went through and you don't have to deal with accents**  No one there could figure out what the problem was, so as usual the suggested fix was to re-install Windows.  I have done this so many times, I could do it in my sleep.  After the re-install, I only loaded the bare essentials (Windows programs that I absolutely needed) and then was forced to learn to use this trusty I-mac.

The system was never very stable but since I wasn't using it, my kids had to deal with it.  The Blue screens happens to Andy most but I figured it was because of his new game.  After a while, they couldn't take it any longer and started to copy down all those letters and numbers on the stop error screens.

Fast forward to Oct 14th Called Dell this time.  We did so many diagnostic programs, repeating ones I had already done and a few more that I didn't know were on the Dell resource disc.  They all passed.  It's not hardware, they said. Must be software.  I was told to remove as many programs as I could, clean up the disc, defrag, run ckdisk etc. and then run the tests again.  Nope didn't work 

To chat this time.  Ok It must be service pack 3.  From what I heard and read, this made sense.  Take it off.  Well that's easier to say than to do.  Lets just say, it's impossible.

Back to chat:  we'll try reinstalling windows.  That should take it off.    Did that. Reinstalled the drivers and updated them.  Still didn't work.

Back to chat.  This time reinstall windows but instead of updating the drivers, just put on the new ones.  Huh?  ok fine.   Nope.

Now with each "fix"  the problem is actually getting worse.  BSOD s are more frequent and the display is just wonky.

Back to chat with a real piece of work.  She was something this one.  She kept saying that this wasn't a hardware problem and to send a tech out wasn't going to help, and it was software related.  It didn't  matter how often  we told her that there was no software installed, she kept saying, it was software.  She finally said she could send out a hard drive if that is what we wanted.  Of course that means another reinstall of windows, which they call a OSR.  Nope didn't work.

Back to chat: now they decide to send out mother board  Nope

Back to chat  Lets try a new motherboard and some new memory sticks  Nope

Back to chat:  Ah! Now they decide that they should try all three at once because that of course will make all the difference and of course another OSR.

Poor Dwight. (the tech who had to come out for all these installs)  He even tried to get Dell to send out a new power supply, No they said, just try those last three parts.  If they didn't work, they'd consider a system exchange, which is what I asked for about mid-way into this nonsense

Today is November 11th. So a new computer is coming out, this one with that POS Vista.  Not for long.  the warranty ends in April  Linux  here we come.

Oh did I mention that this current unit was part of a system exchange for the original unit.  They put 3 motherboards in that one too, even though I kept suggesting that it might be the power supply (I'm not that smart, I researched it with my geek friends on line)

School problems never end

Once again, I have had problems getting the educational system to understand that Aspergers is truly a disability. Heck, that it actually exists, but that it isn't the end of the world and that we all have very special gifts.

Our first dealings were with a charter school with a self important blowhard of a principle who didn't like anyone to question him. He was more interested in being right than in what was best for the kids. Sounds like some of my in laws. After leaving there, (not our choice, but he said it was), we were lucky enough to find Kaplan Virtual Education.

The kids actually do go to school 2-3 days a week, but work at their own pace (within guidelines) in front of a computer. The other 2-3 days they work from home. I think it teaches them to be responsible. The school is "open" year round but has regularly defined semesters. The summer part is for kids who get behind or I guess who want to take more courses.

We were worried about socialization at first, but since all the kids in his "school" ride the same bus home, they interact there, at lunch and at some regular class room situations. They have a suite of rooms within a regular public magnet school, so they can attend social functions with the magnet school kids.

Some of these kids have been home schooled so they are at a different level than kids their own age. This is also available for kids who want classes that the regular public schools can't offer, or who just don't do well in a typical classroom. Like mine. He has a problem with kids who don't want to learn as much as he does. It annoys and distracts him when the kids disrupt the class, even with normal kids stuff. He's doing quite well and is very motivated.

Learn something new everyday

A roller coaster month

June 2008 has been a real roller coaster.  It started out great if you figure in the last 2 days of May.  My son Andy graduated from 8th grade as valedictorian so my daughter and granddaughter were in town.

The following weekend I get a call from St. John's Hospital.  Probably a recruiter, No I don't want to apply for your RN position.   Oh?  Not that, It's the ER nurse wanting to know if I am Robert's sister, he's been in an accident and want's me to come up.  What?  First of all where's his wife?  Second, why does he want me?  Is he going to be OK.  Sure, he just broke his leg.  OKkkkkkk.

As we walk through ICU, I see what looks like my dad in the bed in room 9.  What the heck is going on?  Well it turns out it was my dad and his friend Fred  who were in the accident.  Other than the fact that he didn't remember breaking this same hip 8 years ago he seemed OK for a 76 year old man.  Well that is except for the oxygen mask on his face.

Turned out he had massive blunt trauma to the chest, couldn't get enough of a breath to get enough oxygen and some pretty bad, previously unknown vascular disease.  He never made it to surgery for his hip repair and died 3 days later.  So did Fred.

Of course this brought all my family home again, including my brother from CA, my son & daughter in law (to be) from FLA and my daughter and grand daughter from Phoenix.  It was nice to see all of us together.   Only Nick, my son-in-law and my sister-in law and niece from CA weren't there

Fast forward 2 weeks and it's down to Florida for my son's wedding.  This time Nick was there but of course Dad wasn't.  At least not in person.  It was a great time, a great wedding and I have the best daughter-in-law in the world -- she's a lot like me :)

See what I mean.  Up and down and up again.  That's my life I guess.

At least this time though, it's a bit easier knowing Dad & Mom are together again.  Did I ever tell you that after she died, she regularly visited both me and my dad.  No we weren't seeing things.  But when he would need something or would break something, somehow, he'd be able to find it or one of the many replacements my mom had around.  The toaster broke one day, and he swore he didn't know why but he opened a door, he rarely opened and there was the toaster they had received as a wedding present 50 plus years ago.  She still had the dang thing.  The only thing different was a new plug my oldest brother put on it when we all still lived at home.  Now, tell me Mom wasn't there guiding him along!  

There were other similar occasions and he would then call me and say, "your Mother's been here again".  Sometimes I could tell him that she'd been at my side too.  I could hear her yelling at me for thinking something or doing something, and I'd have to say, OK OK Mom I hear you. Now get off my back.

It's quiet here now.  It's been quiet since about a week before the accident.  I guess he's bugging her now. 

 I can hear it now  "Shoot a beer, Dot"

All in one

Ok it's done. I hope.

All my other posts are here in chronological order. The dates aren't in real time, especially for the ones about the school nightmare in 2005. Luckily I was able to back date them so to speak so they are dated at the approximate time they happened. I went on a writing spree then, trying out I web on my new Apple-lapple as Katie calls my i-book. Once started I couldn't stop. The story isn't complete, but it helped at the time.

I hope to write more often, since I think of things all the time and they run around in my head. Don't you wish you had a penseive like Dumbledore has. (that's a Harry Potter reference)

Yikes it's past my bed time. Luckily I have had my jammies on since I slipped on my butt and got all wet
Nighty night

hello again

Well I was right. I forgot about this thing. I came to blogspot to look for my kids blog and what do you know here it is.

I have a lot of things I've written here and there and rather than keep them on the wordpress blog my web host gives me I am going to move them here. What the heck let someone else manage the back end.

The things I've written are ramblings that I wrote about as a sort of therapy, during a tough time in my life. They may sound like whining, but most of it is really great frustration in understanding the people out there in the neurotypical world.

Many times, when someone says "I can't/won't because of xyz "and I come up with a remedy for xyz, then a different reason is given. With the logical literal thinking that some people with Aspergers have (including me), we don't pick up on the real reason, someone can't /won't do something is just that they really don't want to. (one of those Just Because things). Personally I wish they'd say Just Because! I may not like it and ask why a few times, but it would save a lot of headache for both of us. Anyway, you'll see what I mean

So give me a little time and I'll move them over. In the meantime head on over to http://www.bouncingoffthewall.com and have some fun.

ttfn

Tiggerr

Being Smart is no Picnic

I hate being smart. It’s not fun and makes life lonely as hell.

When I was a kid in both grade school and High School I got good grades. Very very good grades. My parents didn’t believe in skipping grades so I stayed in the grade appropriate for my age. I was never bored, because I am a sponge. Anything I can learn, I learn.

I remember in first grade I was sent to the university for testing. I was told that the nun doing the testing was learning how to do this so they picked me to help. I was also told that since my big brother was so much smarter than I was (not true, but I didn’t know that), they wanted to test me to see why I was learning and he wasn’t .

I didn’t find out until much later in high school that I tested out with an IQ of 165. Big deal.

I also remember starting high school vowing that if someone asked what grade I got on a paper, I would always answer “B”. I don’t exactly remember the exact event that lead to that decision, but it must have been bad enough for me to block it out .

One of the things I find most annoying is that while I was inside studying my tail off, the other kids were out playing ball, having fun, being in the girl/boy scouts etc. Then at test time, as long as they managed to pass, they were congratulated, praised, rewarded etc. I don’t want to deny them any of that, but A’s were expected of me and when I aced a test, it was barely acknowledged.

Junior Year in High school, I came home with 3 A’s and 2 H’s (honors course work worth 5 grade points) but there was also a pesky B in PE. I was proud of that report card, but the grin got slapped off my face really fast with a “What’s this B doing here?” Not a word was said about the rest of the grades, just that %$##@ B.

I have been told that I intimidate people. I certainly don’t try and until recently, I didn’t understand how I did it. Someone was kind enough to explain it. She said that I seemed so confident and sure of myself. Excuse me! Yes I know a lot and yes I can do a lot of things and love to help out by sharing what I have been blessed with. Apparently this intimidates people.

So this “gift?” that everyone says they wish they had, makes me like a pariah. I don’t know if it’s Jealousy, annoyance, a fear of looking stupid, or the desire to be the knight in shining armor by making sure I don’t get near their white horse, but after a few years, or less, I stopped getting asked to help out, or our conversations get one sided. When I try to find out what’s wrong, or what I’ve done, I get the run around. No I’m not being paranoid because eventually it comes out. They all say the same thing. It’s not me, it’s them. huh?
Even my therapist didn’t quite get it. She kept saying that annoying line “it’s not personal.” What the heck does that mean. Yes it was personal. This wasn’t happening to everyone, just me. (not in the whole world, mind you, just my own little part of it)

Last year a bunch of us were in the teacher’s lounge, on teacher appreciation day, cleaning up. One of the moms was asking everybody who came into the room to run for school board. Everybody except me. It was glaringly obvious. She continued to try to recruit parents outside as we waited for our kids to be dismissed from school. I guess I was trying to save face or something, because I said that I was probably the wrong person for the job. She totally blindsided me with her next comment. ” No offense but you’re right!” I couldn’t think of anything to say and of course no one else corrected her.

So here I am with this astronomical IQ and I’m told I’m not suitable to be on the school board of a school with less than 170 kids. I don’t correct people when they are wrong. I don’t brag about what I can do. I only mention that I can do something if there is a need for that skill. Sometimes it’s just something that I have time to do since I’m a stay at home mom. I even ask people about their interests, even if I am proficient at that same interest in hopes that they can feel good about their specialty. Is that bad? No one will tell me. What do I do to be less intimidating, when I didn’t know I was?

I was asked once if there was on thing I could change about myself, what would it be. I wish I could be average. My husband says I have a big heart. I don’t want an over sized heart or brain. I want average sized organs, because what I have isn’t working.

OK… Rant over. ....... for now :-)

Court Decision

While surfing around I found a web page that decided for the parents ( a rarity I am told) in the quest for a free appropriate education in the least restrictive environment that is guaranteed by federal law in the US for all kids with disabilities. This happened in my own state and home town of St. Louis, MO Here is the link

http://dese.mo.gov/divspeced/Complaint_System/DPDecisionsFile/DP990022SSD.htm

The schools listed Parkway and Henry are free public schools

Apprende is a private school with extremely reasonable tuition (less than $100/week in 2008.

Metropolitan is a specialized special ed school for kids with aspergers, Bipolar ADHD etc and has what I consider an exorbitant tuition for this area of 19,000 and as of this year few opportunities for financial aid. I’ve either looked into it my self or folks who have come to me via my foundation have informed me of this. trust me.

It was nice to see the kids get what they are entitled to. It’s time people realize that today’s kids are our future. They should be handled with Care

Well Hello

I’ve been spending way too much time redesigning Bouncing off the wall. and have neglected this place. From the statistics, it seems folks have been here. That’s nice to know. I have run into several families who have or think they have kids with Aspergers, so I have been able to help them with support if not answers to some of their questions.

An update since last time. My granddaughter was born in October 2006 and she is cute and healthy and laughs a lot. She has her father’s charming ways. She’ll probably have her mother’s brains. But that’s the grandmother pride you know

Also I was able to go to court and officially change my name to Tiggerr. Heck how would you like being named after a song. Imagine if you will, if you were named Hymn, or Ballad or Folk. maybe Tune. I had a boss once who tried to make me stop calling myself Tiggerr using the rationale that it wasn’t on my birth certificate. I told him that Jim wasn’t on his either. His mother had named him James. And besides a Gym was someplace you went to sweat.

Bosses don’t like it when you do that.

So head over to www.bouncingoffthewall.com and read some of my mail play with the trivia stuff and have a good time, I’m going to take a nap

Links for the cure (to ignorance that is)

11/29/12  Edit.  I have been told that some of these links are dead now.  Some no longer point to Autistic type sites.  I don't have the time nor inclination to fix them, but rather than delete the whole post, I will add this edit as a disclaimer.  click at your own risk.  TTFN




It’s been a while and I really shouldn’t be here now. It’s way past my bedtime, but as usual, I got distracted. Wandered over to a great web site called I am an aspie. and then of course wandered some more. Found the cure for Ignorance Campaign from the Aspergian Pride group. Quite cool and I didn’t get all the way through.
Somewhere in my wanderings tonight, I saw that we don’t suffer from Aspergers, we suffer from Ignorance. Don’t I know it. So I am going tp try to post these links either here or over at my new site. http://www.bouncingoffthewall.com/ If you go there you can see that we have a serious stuff section that talks about the education of all kids and the rights of kids with things like aspergers to get an appropriate education just like the NTs out there.

• Aspergian Pride Celebrating the accomplishments and the inherent worth of autistic people
• Aspies for Freedom An international civil rights activist group
• Aspergia Promoting the development of an Aspergian cultural identity
• Autistic Advocacy A collection of autistic pride articles, with links to discussion groups
• SpectrumHaven Information and chat for all people on the autistic spectrum
• Autistics.org: The Real Voice of Autism Civil rights advocacy and resource links
• No Autistics Allowed Michelle Dawson explores discrimination against autistics in Canada and elsewhere
• Institute for the Study of the Neurologically Typical A parody of autism research
• Autism Network International A self-help and advocacy organization
• Autism National Committee Promotes the right to self-determination
• CIBRA–Children Injured by Restraints and Aversives An advocacy group of parents and others seeking to end physical abuse of autistics
• Autistic People against Neuroleptic Abuse An advocacy group that warns against dangerous and unnecessary medications
• University Students with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome Helpful information and advice for autistic students
• Oddizm Humor, pictures, and civil rights information and links
• Proudly Autistic Autistic pride T-shirts, etc.
• Neurodiversity.com: honoring the variety of human wiring An excellent collection of resource links for understanding the concept of neurodiversity
• Wikipedia on Neurodiversity Wikipedia’s definition of the concept of neurodiversity
• Multi Web Vista’s Neurodiversity Page “Diversity is not just the way we look, but the way we think!”
• Word Spy on Neurodiversity The Word Spy discusses the emerging concept of neurodiversity
• A Place for All An essay about pride and the freedom to be oneself
• Becoming Real An essay describing the joys of being an Aspie
• The Raventones An autistic singer and her folk-jazz band celebrate the idea that human neurodiversity is Spirit-driven and necessary to the unfolding of humankind
• Perspective on Autism in Adults An essay on pride and self-acceptance
• Self Affirmation Pledge Lianne Holliday Willey’s advice on cultivating a positive outlook
• The Kingdom of Laurentius Rex A site promoting positive action
• Reflections by elmindreda Writings discussing the autistic experience
• Autistics Need Acceptance, Not Cure An article critical of “autism awareness”
• Ray’s Autism Page A parent discusses harmful myths and stereotypes
• The Asperger’s Express An autistic child is a “person, not a problem to be fixed.”
• Valerie Paradiz Promotes understanding and acceptance of the autistic community
• On Our Own Terms: Emerging Autistic Culture An article on the history of autistic culture
• Jim Sinclair’s Web Site Personal articles and advocacy for autistic civil rights
• Why Disability Rights Are Not Enough An article discussing employment discrimination
• Curing Neuro-Bigotry “Autism is not a ‘tragedy.’ It is diversity.”
• Why Label? An essay on autistic identity and challenging prejudice
• Wikipedia on Autistic Culture Wikipedia’s article on the development of the autistic culture
• This Way of Life Joel Smith’s site about autism and advocacy
• Celebrating Autistic Parents On the strengths and joys of the autistic family
• Is Asperger’s Syndrome/HFA Necessarily a Disability? Professor Simon Baron-Cohen describes autism as a different cognitive style
• The Discovery of “Aspie” Criteria Tony Attwood and Carol Gray discuss positive traits
• The Gifted Visual Spatial Learner An article about the educational needs of visual spatial learners
• Autism and Computing A site that contains articles discussing the advantages of certain autistic traits in computer-related careers and how computers benefit the autistic population
• Wikipedia on the Autism Rights Movement Wikipedia discusses the campaign for autistic civil rights
• Ventura33’s Neurodiversity Page A discussion of autistic civil rights and a writing challenge on a Star Trek fanfic site
• My Little Rainman An autistic child’s mother describes her pride and joy
• Passing for Neurotypical What it’s like for Aspergian families “in hiding”
• The Hyperlexia Parents Network Helpful articles, success stories, and a discussion forum for parents of hyperlexic children
• Leif’s Page Discussion of neurological differences in information technology, as well as possible genetic origins of such differences, and an “Aspie Quiz” developed by autistics
• AWEtism A mother expresses thankfulness for her blessings; this site sells T-shirts and other merchandise with positive “AWEtism” messages
• Mimestream’s Story An autistic mother shares her thoughts on life, art, and society’s expectations
• Not a Miracle: A Mother’s View of “Autism Awareness” Why it’s offensive to describe a competent autistic person as “a miracle”
• Left Brain/Right Brain Kevin Leitch’s blog about autism and web design
• Autism Diva Commentary on autism statistics, debunking the “epidemic” myth
• Ettina’s Rants Essays on social attitudes toward autism and other neurological differences, with a link to the author’s informational site about various developmental conditions
• Whirled Peas Reflections on life’s puzzling questions and the importance of being oneself
• I’ve Heard Things “A different way of viewing the world and unusual learning methods does not mean that a person is defective or genetically bad”
• For Mothers of Autistic Children A Mother’s Day 2005 wish for acceptance and understanding
• Autism Research and Prenatal Testing Autism researchers are currently developing a prenatal test; routine abortion of autistic children may be less than 10 years away
• The Autistic Distinction An essay on the need for social acceptance of neurological differences as a healthy and natural part of human diversity
• Cheese-a-Phone A proud father’s photos and anecdotes about family life with his two young autistic sons
• Whose Planet Is It Anyway? Blunt comments on civil rights, neurodiversity, and consciousness-raising
• The Autism Prenatal Testing Eugenics Programme A mother asks: Where is the public outcry?
• Cuckoo’s Nest A mother discusses her experiences and her views of autism
• Would you have allowed Bill Gates to be born? Bioethics professor Arthur Caplan discusses the issue of prenatal testing for autism
• Neurodiversity Weblog Kathleen Seidel’s blog discussing her efforts to raise awareness of neurodiversity issues
• Ballastexistenz Amanda Baggs’ blog discussing autistic liberation and disability rights issues
• Neurodiversity Chain Letter A parent’s comments on developing a more tolerant and inclusive society
• Apology What would cause an autism research scientist to resign his position for ethical reasons?
• Just let them be kids “My son and others like him are not defective…”
• Social Minority Group A declaration seeking recognition by the United Nations of the autistic community as a social minority group
• Autistic Success A mother’s views on inclusion and acceptance of autistic children
• Ian Johnson’s neurodiversity blog “In this blog, my main purpose will be to explain the concept of neurodiversity as applied to my own life…”
• Autiemom Speaks Out A mother’s blog advocating social acceptance and respect for autistics
• Homo Autistic: Notes from the Autism Ghetto A blog supporting autistic civil rights
• Special Education and the Concept of Neurodiversity An article on positive approaches toward neurological differences in the classroom
• Autism: Getting the Truth Out An activist site that takes a critical look at autism awareness stereotypes
• Lindadiva’s Autism Rights Page A site discussing prejudice against autistics
• A Changeling’s Alternate Reality Story: Halloween 2005 A tale of becoming, in others’ eyes, something not quite human…
• Asperger’s: making intelligence a disease A professor of psychiatry discusses the emotional harm done to many children by the negative social value judgments in medical and disability labels
• Random reminiscing ramblings A blog dealing with human rights issues in the context of autism
• ASPIES–the place for self-advocacy Advocacy ~ Support ~ Pride ~ Identity ~ Education
• Autvocate A father’s site with discussion and links concerning autism and disabilities rights
• neurodiversity (idea) “The concept that variance in neurological structure adds needed diversity to the human race.”
• A Touch of Alyricism A blog dedicated to the equally fascinating topics of autistic advocacy and the sisterly sophistries of radical gender feminism
• Constructing Autism A professor describes autism as a social construct that arose in the context of the modern world’s anxieties about environmental contamination and cultural and technological change
• The Lucitania Hindenberg Foundation A website that seeks to improve social attitudes toward autism and argues against the use of extreme and negative language such as “catastrophe” in describing the autistic population
• Autistic Pride A forum for positive events and thoughts relating to autism spectrum conditions
• Farewell to Holland A response to the widely circulated essay “Welcome to Holland” about raising a child with a disability
• Autist Art: Autism with an Attitude An online source for autistic pride and anti-cure merchandise, with links to autistic advocacy sites
• Neurodiversity: In Praise of Dappled Things An essay on appreciating the beauty of natural differences as a part of God’s creation
• Say it loud, autistic and proud A magazine article describing autistic activists’ struggle to establish basic rights and to end prejudice and discrimination
• Autistic Conjecture of the Day A blog that highlights the absurdity of all the unfounded speculation about causes of autism
• Aspies.co.uk A parent writes: These sensitive, intelligent people have so much to offer I don’t believe they should be “cured” or forced to be “normal”
• Susan Senator A mother writes about her emotional journey to acceptance and understanding of her autistic son
• Autistics Speak An article that challenges the disability stereotypes perpetuated by groups such as Autism Speaks and the resulting prejudices
• Tales of an Aspie Freedom Fighter A blog that discusses the autistic civil rights movement from a personal viewpoint, with the focus on the motivation and mind-set of those involved
• Autism’s Edges A mother’s blog on life, love, and learning with a child at the edges of the autism spectrum
• Outlander!, or, Whose Neurodiversity is It, Anyway? “At its heart, neurodiversity is about the worth each of us have by our very existence…”
• The Joy of Autism The blog of a mother who writes that she is learning to look at the world through her son’s transparent coloured blocks
• Action For Autism Parental concerns, the dangers of quack treatments, and the importance of positive language are among the topics discussed by a father in his blog
• 29 Marbles A father’s thoughts and discussion on autism and its impact on individuals and society
• Autistic Culture “Here you can read about autism and the many aspects of our culture from the perspective of people on the autistic spectrum.”
• Processing in Parts The author describes her blog as “notes from my own corner — or spectral line — of the autistic spectrum”
• Autismland A mother’s blog, which she describes as “The Autism Reality Show starring Charlie”
• MOM - Not Otherwise Specified “On raising a son on the autism spectrum, progressive politics, pop culture, and coffee addiction”
• Autism Hub Autism Hub takes the best in autism related blogging and pulls it all together in one easy-to-access interface
• Autism Demonized A blog monitoring and detailing the ways in which autism and autistic people are demonized and dehumanized, and the real-life consequences for autistic people
• The Voyage A mother’s blog about life, family, home-education and autism
• A Matter of Perspective An essay on society’s attitudes toward disability and eugenics
• Autism - Natural Variation Dispels crackpot theories of autism, criticizes questionable treatments, attacks stereotypes and demeaning descriptions, and highlights good science
• Abnormaldiversity A blog opposing neurological discrimination and asserting the value of all human beings
• Rett Devil A woman with Rett syndrome writes: “your kids can do more, and they want to do more, and they need to do more. Join me in raising some hell”
• Commentary on the State of the World A former ABA therapist advocates understanding of differences and acceptance of neurodiversity
• A Disturbing Timepiece A mother writes: “Eugenics is a scary word for anyone who believes in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. However, the term becomes especially scary for me when it’s used in reference to my own children”
• Autism: Deal With It! A blogger who calls himself “The Autistic Jedi” goes into battle against prejudice, seeking to turn our society away from the Dark Side
• Autism for Parents A good starting point for parents trying to learn more about autism, with information and links to a wide variety of resources - both on and offline
• Hard Won Wisdom A mother writes: “As a parent and teacher… here is the blog never around when I needed it. I hope it helps!”
• The Rettdevil’s Rants A blog about disability rights and the fight against bigotry and hypocrisy
• Autism Vox A blog in which an autism mother gets on her soapbox
• Simul Justis et Pecator A blog that addresses a variety of issues related to neurodiversity, disability rights, and gender identity
• Aspie Dad An autistic father writes about his family: “We are happy, independent people with advanced college degrees (well, our son doesn’t have one - yet) and have a good life…”
• Autism, Life and Liberty A Texas father comments on his love for his autistic son and the need for our society to learn tolerance and acceptance of neurological differences
• Neurodiversity and Democracy An article that addresses the need for modern democracies to accept neurological differences as a natural and beneficial subset of human diversity
• Mum is Thinking A mother’s blog about raising an autistic child (as an autistic adult), painting, homeschooling, and family
• Andrea’s Buzzing About A blog that discusses autistic human rights issues from a social theory perspective
• The Autism Acceptance Project A Canadian nonprofit group that seeks to tap into human potential and dignity
• Aspies Inc. Is Asperger Syndrome a disability or a gift? YES.
• It’s All Okay A mother writes: “Our future is bright and promising. This beautiful child grows and reaches new heights every day. Yeah, he’s not typical. But is that really such a terrible thing?”
• My Act of Combating Neurobigotry A modern-day gladiator goes into the arena of cyberspace to do battle for autistic civil rights
• My Quirky Boy A mom writes about her life with her three-year-old son, who “has Autism, and that is not a bad thing, it does not mean that there is anything wrong with him, or that he needs to be fixed”
• Abby’s Neurodiversity Blog Information and opinions about issues affecting the autistic community today
• Beautiful Autism A father’s home video of a happy and cherished autistic daughter
• Autistic Pride Day Blog Photos and stories about two beautiful and proud young autistic dancers who perform to raise awareness of neurodiversity
• Autistic Video Videos, animations, and music videos made by people on the autistic spectrum
• The Face of Autism A brother shows his love for his autistic sister through a video
• Jared at the Park A father’s view of his “beautiful boy” running around and playing
• I’m An Aspie An inspirational site that discusses strategies for the autistic life
• What are they thinking? The blog of a proud mother of six children, five of whom are autistic
• Don’t Mourn for Us Video A video montage of an autistic child’s first three years
• The Autism Acceptance Project Video A video celebrating the lives of autistic artists and people
• The Autism Life Resources and a discussion forum to help parents, caregivers, family, and friends learn about autism
• Me by the Sea A mother writes: “We are simply loving our daughter, and all we can do is hope we are doing the right things. We hope that with our love & acceptance, she will bloom in her own beautiful way.”
• Beautiful Child The story of an autistic boy and his family learning and loving and growing together… a story of acceptance for all children regardless of labels
• Life in the New Republic A mother describes her life with an autistic son and how she finds the Jedi philosophies of Star Wars to be useful
• Acceptance, Wouldn’t It Be Nice A video of a young autistic child playing in the ocean and hugging his mother
• With a Child’s Heart Scenes from an autistic boy’s day at home and at preschool
• The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network A nonprofit organization providing support and services to individuals on the autism spectrum while working to change public perception and combat misinformation by educating communities
• The Autism Crisis Michelle Dawson’s blog about the science and ethics of autism advocacy
• Ed’s Autism Page The blog of an autistic man who believes “that autism can be seen in better ways, respect can encourage potential in everyone, and there are many ways to celebrate diversity.”
• Whitterer on Autism A mother comments upon the more humorous aspects of keeping company with autistic children
• Incorrect Pleasures The blog of an autistic stay-at-home mom who collects interesting facts and figures involving autistic culture and other related themes
• The Vision Splendid A father envisions a day when “all neurodivergent people will be seen for the beautiful and fascinating individuals they are, and the word ‘normal’ shall be rendered forever meaningless.”
• How to Spot Bias in Research In a column written for the Association for Psychological Science, Professor Morton Ann Gernsbacher points out how research on autistics and other groups is often biased by unfounded assumptions
• The Posautive YouTube Group A large collection of positive videos featuring autistic people
• The Art of Understanding The blog of a self-identified autistic who writes that he also self-identifies as gay and doesn’t have a diagnosis for that either
• Kitties Ate My Tricorder TR Kelley’s blog about neurodiversity, collecting cat whiskers, and random acts of kindness
• Autism Issues A father seeks to share his journey, past and present, showing the joy and problems of autism
• In My Language A video about different ways of interacting with the world
• Aspie Home-Education “A parent who really desires to understand his child does not look at him through the screen of an ideal…”
• Gestalt An autism and psychology discussion forum
• The Beach on Autism Island A group blog by mothers who imagine themselves on a beach of “pure white sand, with seagulls calling and children laughing as the moms sit in comfy beach chairs, sipping drinks with little umbrellas.”
• Club 166 Where a dad of two great kids (one on the autism spectrum) muses about life
• ‘Normal’ shouldn’t be only acceptable realm A mother observes that “autistic teens and adults are speaking out against the prevailing attitude that their personality and behavioral traits constitute a disease that needs to be cured. And they’re right.”
• Mom Embracing Autism The blog of a busy homeschooling mom of 4 children, one of whom is autistic
• Existence is Wonderful A blog about transhumanism, radical life extension, and neurodiversity
• Autism Parents Forum A forum for pro-neurodiversity parents of autistic kids
• This Is Who I Really Am An autistic blogger who signs herself “unashamed” writes about her love of life
• Asperger Square 8 “We all have labels, acknowledged or not, because the world has an unmanageable number of facets…”
• Pictures of You A slideshow of a parent’s pictures of a happy little girl
• One Dad’s Opinion A father writes: “I have three cherished sons, one of whom is autistic, and this occurrence in my life has opened my eyes to the sometimes wonderful, always interesting world of autistic perspective.”
• Posautive A site highlighting videos with positive content about autistic people
• Life With Joey A mother of “two lovely boys, one with autism” shares her experiences
• The Reason: The Joy of Adam Images of a little boy growing, learning, and enjoying life
• Astrid’s Journal A young woman who is blind and autistic blogs about disability rights
• Autism Bites A father writes a humorous account of his life with six autistic children
• The Spectra Quarterly An online quarterly journal aimed at the professional community, about autism, written by autistics.
• The Pentecostal Pariah A mother of three children, two of whom are on the autistic spectrum, writes of her life as “a good but imperfect member of God’s family.”
• Autism Isn’t All Negatives! An autistic teenager writes about his experiences and advocates acceptance of neurodiversity
• Wherein I Talk To Myself The blog of a young, liberal, autistic autodidact writing about whatever is on her mind
• Autista A blog about a father’s attempts to be useful to his eleven-year-old son who has an autism diagnosis
• What Kind Of World Do We Want “The only kind of normal is diversity”
• An Autistic Speaks About Autism Speaks A “Daily Kos” article from the neurodiversity side of the autism debate
• Slow and Steady The blog of a creative, married mom of 2 boys with developmental delays
• Society for the Prevention of Autism Prevention An autistic university student blogs about her life and thoughts
• Dyssocial Butterfly The journal of an autistic person who envisions a world “where people of all shapes and sizes and abilities and differences are accommodated and celebrated”
• Autistic Input A blog about autistic integration and involvement in society
• Dr. Morton Ann Gernsbacher’s Laboratory Autism and language comprehension research articles
• And Stimming With Rainbows of Every Design The blog of an autistic teen who wants the world to become autistic-friendly
• My thoughts on… An autistic woman blogs about her advocacy work and future research in the field of autism
• Biodiverse Resistance A blog “in defence of biodiversity in all its forms, liberty, equality and the freedom to be different”
• It is not a disease, it is a way of life A news article about the campaign to celebrate difference, rather than cure it
• humans A website advocating for, and providing information to, people on the autistic spectrum and their friends and families
• D and DJ’s Weekend Two autistic boys who communicate with keyboards become close friends
• My Autistic Boy and Other Adventures in Fatherhood A dad’s anecdotes about family life
• An Unauthorized Neurotypical Thinks and Feels Among Boxes A girlfriend of an Aspie contemplates neurodiversity issues and what it means to be normal
• Liv’s Journey A father describes his life with five children, two of whom are on the autism spectrum

Starting out

I have no idea what I am doing. That won't last long. I can teach myself anything I set my mind to.. But If I don't post something I'll forget this is mine. I think I have another one, but all it says is Under construction. Sounds like me\\

TTFN