Verbal shutdowns are the WORST. I'm with my little brothers rn and they're trying to talk to me. They can't read yet so I can't just write, "I can't talk" or anything so like. Idk how to communicate that I can't speak rn 😭

#autism #autistic #autismspectrum #verbalshutdowns #menhera #menheradon

It's always a good time for awareness! I love someone on the Spectrum. And I myself am not neuro-typical. While we navigate the puzzle of typical...the sky is the limit!

ART
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-sky-is-the-limit-sharon-cummings.html

#autism #autismawareness #neurodiversity #sky #puzzle #puzzles #SharonCummingsArt #buyintoart #autismspectrum #spectrum #art #artwork #fediart #mastoart

RFK Jr. Has Packed an Autism Panel With Cranks and Conspiracy Theorists

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.wired.com/story/rfk-jr-s-picks-for-a-key-autism-panel-include-advocates-for-bizarre-theories/

Sometime soon - I'd like to openly discuss where the #safety line is drawn for other students, staff & educational volunteers when kid on kid violence happens & one of the kids is #ASD #SpecialNeeds. I haven't been able to figure this out. How can we keep kids like this in schools because we need to find ways to do that. Kicking them out doesn't help society, in the long run.

I support trying our best to help misunderstood ASD kids & helping them get more supports at younger ages. Many don't get enough supports.
I have tolerated a lot of physical abuses (being spat on, punched, kicked, getting scratched & hair pulled, etc.) because many #descalation methods didn't work on the job. I worked in an elementary school in North Saanich as a specialized teacher's assistant & all the students I worked with were ASD on varying levels.

We had 2 quiet therapy rooms. Those were the only safe sanctuaries for the ASD kids who felt overloaded & needed to be away from everyone else. Often, we had multiple kids having meltdowns & there wasn't any other sanctuary spots for them within the small school. I felt so helpless during those days but pretended everything was A-OK. I took kids out to the yard & to the gardens to try & distract them. Sometimes that worked. Other times, I had to deal with multiple screaming kids, having mass meltdowns at the same time - when we were constantly understaffed. That was a very difficult job. I was severely underpaid for it.

ASD kids needed more support staff in schools & they still do. They all deserve that investment from our government. They are all worth the investment.

#BCpoli #PublicSchools #AutismSpectrum #NeurodivergentKids #SupportASDStudents #FundingNeeded #Education #SchoolStaff #SchoolVolunteers #SolutionsNeeded #ADD #FAS #AutisticKids #EducationalSupport

Why autism may not be on a ‘spectrum’ after all | The Independent
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/autism-spectrum-aspergers-diagnosis-test-b2840797.html

#AutismSpectrum
#Autism

Furloughed IRS lawyer lives out his childhood dream by opening a cheeky hot dog stand

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.upworthy.com/irs-lawyer-opens-hot-dog-stand