#Autism Special Needs Mom

[noisycowboyglitter]

Neurodiversity Inclusion Is My Jam: Inspiring Change Through Acceptance

Neurodiversity isn't a bug, it's a feature! That's the motto I live by when it comes to creating inclusive spaces that celebrate the incredible variety of human minds.

Buy now:19.95$

Whether you're an educator, employer, or just someone who wants to make the world a more welcoming place, neurodiversity inclusion is key. It's about understanding and valuing the strengths that come with conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, autism, and more.

Imagine a classroom where a student with dyslexia shines with audiobooks and visual aids. Picture a workplace where an autistic individual's meticulous attention to detail becomes a company asset. That's the power of inclusion!

But how do we get there? Here's where my jam comes in! I can help you with:

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Understanding neurodiversity: I can break down the different ways brains function and the unique strengths each brings.

Creating inclusive environments: From flexible work arrangements to sensory-calming spaces, I'll share tips for making everyone feel comfortable and supported.

Celebrating neurodiversity: Let's move beyond just acceptance and actively celebrate the incredible things that come with thinking differently!

Join me on this journey of neurodiversity inclusion. Together, we can create a world where everyone can thrive and contribute their unique talents. It's gonna be epic!

Being an Autism Special Needs Mom is a whirlwind of fierce love, unwavering advocacy, and moments of pure joy. It's navigating therapies, celebrating milestones big and small, and becoming an expert on your child's unique needs. There are days filled with meltdowns and sensory struggles, but also breakthroughs and

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heartwarming connections. This journey is demanding, but the love that fuels it is immeasurable. These moms are warriors, educators, therapists, and cheerleaders all rolled into one.

Teens with autism crave connection and self-expression. Consider gifts that cater to their sensory preferences. Fidget toys and weighted items offer calming comfort, while noise-canceling headphones create a personal haven. For creative minds, art supplies, model kits, or music-making tools can spark joy. Social games or books on navigating social situations can be helpful resources. Remember, the best gifts tap into their interests and celebrate their unique personality!

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[vivianseda]

Thank you at The Autistic Life

[vanweezer]

very very personal, just insight into where im at w my family and things that bother me/have encouraged me to move out

"i know youre moving out so im just gonna say no ones kicking you out and if you feel like this is something you have to do then ok"

thanks! i know im not being kicked out! but yknow i kinda yet a weird vibe when your out of touch husband takes me to a cemetery to yell at me, tell me im just like my father/dont give my father "the time of day", and that im "mean to people who care about me" in front of his dead mother's grave in a poor attempt at guilting me out of speaking my mind. but no yeah thanks for stating the fucking obvious that im leaving on my own terms

[icedcoffeeandsleepdeprivation]

Special needs parent rant:

Overall, it's just extremely frustrating how many lack of resources there are for kids/parents with special needs.

Single mom, single income home, took forever to get my son on services but I *finally* did, got the perfect caregiver for him and literally was told this morning that her training is out of compliance with the state. Long story and several technicalities later - the state dropped the ball and now I'm left with no caregiver and she's left with no job.

Thankfully she'll be okay, but now I'm once again facing showing up to work or being home either my son.

Wishing real hard I had the option of being a stay at home mom right now. 😓

[buysomecheese]

Literally shut up everyone he's so pretty. He's so stunning and I can't fucking DEAL with it. How am I supposed to live when I want to kiss his face and brush his hair. HOW do they want me to do maths work in this environment.

[donaita]

Hey everyone. I’m Rose and I need your help. Please share. Anything helps

[lillestorehjerte]

I feel this so hard!

[fairy-ganj-mother]

def think my mom and I are both lowkey autistic and this is evidenced in just one of many ways by our absolute aversion to any form of communciation recently other than snapchats of our cats

[ibook4you]

[noisycowboyglitter]

My Son is AU-SOME: Inspiring a World of Compassion and Kindness

"My Son is AU-SOME" is a heartwarming celebration of children on the autism spectrum, cleverly playing on the words "autism" and "awesome." This phrase encapsulates the unique brilliance, creativity, and potential of individuals with autism, seen through the loving eyes of their parents.

Buy now:19.95$

The "AU" highlights autism, not as a limitation, but as a distinctive part of identity. It acknowledges the challenges while emphasizing the extraordinary qualities that make these children truly special. "SOME" reinforces their remarkable nature, showcasing their abilities rather than disabilities.

This positive affirmation serves multiple purposes. For parents, it's a mantra of pride and unconditional love, countering societal misconceptions. For the children, it's a boost of confidence and self-esteem, encouraging them to embrace their authentic selves. In the wider community, it promotes awareness and acceptance, challenging stereotypes and fostering inclusivity.

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"My Son is AU-SOME" often appears on t-shirts, bumper stickers, and social media campaigns. It's more than just a slogan; it's a movement empowering families to share their stories, connect with others, and advocate for understanding and support in schools, workplaces, and society at large.

"Autism Awareness Mama Bear" embodies the fierce love and relentless advocacy of mothers raising children on the autism spectrum. This powerful image combines the protective instinct of a mama bear with the passion for autism awareness and acceptance.

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These dedicated moms become formidable champions for their children, navigating complex healthcare systems, fighting for educational rights, and educating others about autism. They wear their "Mama Bear" title with pride, ready to tackle any challenge that comes their way.

The term resonates within the autism community, creating a sense of solidarity among parents facing similar experiences. It's often seen on t-shirts, mugs, and social media profiles, serving as a rallying cry and a symbol of strength.

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"Autism Awareness Mama Bears" are tireless in their efforts to create a more inclusive world, roaring loudly for understanding, support, and celebration of neurodiversity.Autism gift ideas focus on items that cater to the unique needs and interests of individuals on the spectrum. These thoughtful presents often include sensory toys like fidget spinners or weighted blankets, which can provide comfort and stimulation. Educational tools such as visual schedules or social stories may help with daily routines. Special interests are celebrated with themed merchandise or experiences. Noise-cancelling headphones or sunglasses can assist with sensory sensitivities. Other popular options include chewelry for oral stimulation, communication aids, and autism-positive clothing or accessories that promote awareness and acceptance.

[vivianseda]

Thank you Em at NeuroWild

“⭐️ New Resource ⭐️

This has taken me a good minute to put together.

It’s pretty long as is, and it still doesn’t cover everything I want to say.

So let’s just call it a starting point. Because no kid wants to sit through more than 15 pages.

This one is for parents/adults to use when talking to their non-autistic kids about their autistic sibling.

I recommend using each page to open up a discussion.

Invite your kid to ask questions or share their thoughts. Make it relevant to them. Let them know that curiosity is important.

If every page isn’t useful to your family, print the whole thing and throw the irrelevant pages out.

This resource cannot possibly suit every family in the world.

Still, I hope it’s useful to a lot of you.

Let me know what you think.

You can get it as a digital download on TPT:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/When-Someone-In-Your-House-Is-Autistic-15-page-illustrated-resource-11362768?st=ff061668d373c66979dbe86eab0a77d9

Em 🌈”

[syppys-den]

pretty much

couldn’t stop thinking abt this movie so yanno. family photo

[odinsravendutchess]

Down 30lbs or more since surgery a month ago….

Now I start planning for my pancreas transplant. I have to raise funds so my bills will be paid, $30,000, but most importantly my kiddos will have everything they need while I have to spend a month in Rochester, MN 15 miles or less from Mayo. I have to wait for my UNOS evaluation on November to officially be put on the transplant list.

My doctors told me I am too medically complex to be working so after my transplant I need to retire and go on disability. I’m working as much as my body is okay with because my patients are like my family and I want to spend as much time with them as I can.

Today I told my current patient, in American Sign Language, that I love them. They got the biggest smile ever and it beyond made my day!

On top of that, my youngest kiddo has epilepsy and most likely bipolar per her neurologist. We have a family history of bipolar that I didn’t know about until last week when I was informed by my cousin.

So I will be seeing about disability for her and after my transplant I will be a stay at home mom so I can care for both my kiddos 24/7. I can do whatever whenever they need me. Also I want to move to Wyoming. It’s laid back and I have family that actually care about me there.

Things are crazy in my house to say the least.

[omgthatdress]

An Analysis of the Ubiquity of Mall Brands in the late 1990s to early 2000s, or

I Fucking Hate These Guys

by OMG!thatdress

If you were a tween to teenager from roughly 1997 to 2004, chances are, you were left with profound life-long trauma caused by someone wearing Tommy Hilfiger, Abercrombie & Fitch, Ralph Lauren, Nautica, American Eagle, The Gap, Old Navy, or, if you were came along a little later, Hollister or Aeropoastale.

I cannot overstate to my young followers how over-saturated these brand names were in teen culture at the turn of the millennium, the extend to which EVERYONE was wearing them, and yet, in a weird way, how light the imprint they actually left on fashion history was.

Watching iconic teen shows of the era, you don't see any of them because a.) TV teenagers tend to be way cooler and more stylish than awkward and desperate real teenagers actually are, and b.) these brands were all copyright protected, which kept their names and logos off the airwaves.

Look in a middle school yearbook, however, you'll see it. Look at your aunt and uncle's high school photo albums, you'll see it. Ask any late Gen X or early Millennial. It was real and it was fucking awful.

The big question is why? Why? WHY, GOD WHY?! There's a lot of answers to that question.

First of all, I'm going to cite this absolutely wonderful article from Collector's Weekly about why everyone's grandma had a hideous orange couch in the 70s, and give the most simple and straightforward answer: it's what was available.

This is when the concept of online shopping is still very much in its infancy, and the hub of American consumer culture was still your local mall. If you needed new clothes, you went to the mall. And guess what stores were at every local mall? You guessed it.

For the second answer, I'm going to dig up this utter relic from the early days of internet meme-ing, that has nonetheless stuck with me and had a profound impact of my understanding of how popular fashion works:

I'm pretty sure that the reason Abercrombie & Fitch manages to survive as a brand today rests solely increasingly middle-aged Millennial men whose sense of style has refused to evolve past the shit their mom bought them in high school.

And why the hell would they? Nobody wore Abercrombie because it made them stand out or feel special. I'm still pretty convinced that nobody actually *liked* the aesthetic or thought the clothes actually looked good. You need not look past the basic color palette to understand these were not brands meant for uniqueness or self-expression.

While Britney Spears pranced around stage in her iconic neon colors and body glitter, American teenagers existed in a never-ending hellscape of washed-out neutrals, faded denim, and American flag primary colors.

All of which served its exact purpose: it was safety. It was a way to appear cool if you didn't want to go through the ordeal of actually having a personality or a sense of style. Which, of course, goes back to point number one: it was just shit you bought at the mall because you needed clothes.

It wasn't enough to save you once the school bully caught that whiff of autism and/or queerness on you, but it was enough that you could blend into the herd and pray no one ever noticed you.

Underneath it all was a very subtle undercurrent of class and classism: to wear mall brands was to declare to the world that you could indeed afford to shop at the mall. It meant you weren't, god forbid, poor.

Status symbol clothing goes back to the invention of clothing itself. The concept of brands as status symbols is still very much alive and well, its just more limited to actual luxury brands nowadays. One need look no further than your favorite high-end children's clothing website to see that rich parents still very much think it important that you know their five-year-old is wiping its boogers on Versace.

None of these brands were actual high-end luxury brands, but they still advertised and presented themselves as such. Their ads featured signifiers of "all-american" (read: White) wealth: yachts, skiing, horses, beaches, shirtless dudes with chiseled abs playing verious sportsballs.

The color palettes and cuts mimicked the preppy "Ivy" style of the New England old-money elite, along with their hobbies and lifestyle. You may not actually own a horse, but you can wear a polo shirt. You may not be able to run without breaking your ankle, but you wear the same shirt as the dude holding a football in the ad.

It was an elitist, White and skinny image that didn't age well into the diversity and body-positivity of the 2010s.

In 2003, a lawsuit was filed against Abercrombie & Fitch alleging systematic racial discrimination. People of color were rarely hired, and if they were, they were given jobs in the back, away from customer view. In 2005, the U.S. district court approved a settlement of $50,000. A few years ago, Netflix released the documentary White Hot: The Rise and Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch which admittedly I haven't watched yet because my hatred runs too deep to remind myself of its existence.

It was a hatred of Abercrombie & the (white, thin, neurotypical, heterosexual) conformity that it represented that drove me screaming into the loving arms of Hot Topic and Linkin Park. Jordan Calhoun wrote an excellent article for the Atlantic about his experience growing up poor and Black and not fitting in to the Abercrombie aesthetic.

I would be very remiss if I didn't bring up the "urban" mall brands of the early 2000s: Fubu, Sean Jean, Ecko, Baby Phat, among others. They were favored by Black teenagers and White teenagers who wanted to be Black. I know there's a lot to be said about these brands, but I'm too Caucasian to really be able to talk about them with nuance. Maybe someone else will, and I will be very happy to listen.

As much as I hate Tommy Hilfiger, I really do have to give him credit for recognizing the incredibly lucrative "street wear" market and selling power of hip-hop. While most of these mall brands kept their image sparkling White, Tommy made Aaliyah his brand ambassador and regularly appeared in the wardrobes of popular rap and R&B artists of the time.

It'd be very easy and very reductive to say that the changing ideology of the 2010s was the downfall of preppy mall brands, but really, the thing that truly killed them was the downfall of the mall itself. Shopping habits changed, and logos and brand names no longer held the power they once had.

The moral of the story is that being a teenager is fucking hell, and these popular brands both offered the safety of conformity and a status symbol to hold over the heads of the poor and uncool. The irony is that everyone who hated them as teenagers (read: ME) and the freaks who grew up to truly love the power of self-expression through personal style (read: ME) became the truly cool people. If you wore Abercrombie you grew up to vote for Donald Trump.

GO GOTH. PREPS SUCK. THE END.

[bonefall]

i dont think people are upset that the erins "weren't creative" enough with Moonpaw, they're upset that she's just. not a chimera. thats just a longhaired tortie and they justified it with chimerism. which is extremely insensitive because chimerism is a real medical thing that can cause issues in every species, including humans for those that dont know, and thats like. a big thing.

like, yay some disability rep (depending on how they write it. it wont be good. ughh) but like. its not going to be considered a disability when it can be in some cases. they are just going to say "ohh shes so special!!" like some people say with autism in this age (the infantilization of it) and its gonna be. weirdddd

anyways. sorry for ranting in your inbox.

Hey. Woah. THIS is insensitive and I don't know where you're getting this from. NONE of the three types of natural chimerism are a disability and it is extremely rare that fusion chimerism leads to medical complications.

Do not spread misinformation about a genetic condition because you're annoyed about the writing team confusing a common tortie fur pattern with chimerism. THEIR mistake is ultimately harmless. What YOU'RE doing is stigmatizing.

Quite frankly, after seeing a bunch of posts and receiving several asks about this, I don't think half of the people who are getting mad actually know anything about chimeras. I sure as fuck hope it's just ignorance, and that you aren't out here trying to call the state of being intersex a disability.

But I can fix ignorance. No need to assume malice. I will explain what chimerism is, and why you should stop going around implying it "causes issues in every species."

Chimerism is when a single individual is comprised of cells from two or more fully fertilized zygotes. There are two BROAD types of chimerism;

Artifical

Natural

Artifical chimeras are common with the advent of modern medicine. Ever had a blood transfusion? Organ transplant? You are a chimera. Or at least were for a while.

THIS can lead to complications and can cause disability, but it's not what Moonpaw is. She would be a type of natural chimera, which in and of itself has THREE subtypes;

Micro chimerism

Blood chimerism

Fusion chimerism

Microchimerism is so common that I could make a Your Mom joke out of it. It's caused by the passage of cells between the fetus and placenta during pregnancy. Everyone who has ever been pregnant is a microchimera.

While it can lead to complications, it can also be beneficial. Pregnancy could be considered a type of temporary disability, but no one would expect disability rep from every character who had ever given birth.

Blood chimeras are common in species whose twins typically share a placenta, such as cows and marmosets, but very rare in animals like humans and cats which usually don't. It occurs when tissue between two twins is exchanged through the umbilical chord. This type of chimera often ends up with a mixed bloodtype, hence the name.

This is the cause of freemartinism in cattle, when fraternal cow twins cause a sister to share her brother's hormones and act more like a bull. A type of intersex condition, not a disability-- so I sure HOPE you aren't trying to imply THIS should be "disability rep."

And even in the other case, would you automatically expect disability rep from a character that has two blood types?? No. Just like you wouldn't automatically expect disability rep from every character that had ever been pregnant, or every character who had ever needed a blood transfusion

And lastly, the one that Moonpaw ACTUALLY is. A fusion chimera. These are created when two fully fertilized zygotes fuse into a single individual.

These are extremely rare because you can't usually TELL when an individual is a chimera. There is no obvious physical difference between the "halves," with some cases of doctors insisting that patches are just weird birthmarks. They live their entire lives with normal health problems like non-chimeras. It mostly causes complications when DNA testing results in a false negative-- because the offspring of a fusion chimera occasionally end up being their genetic nespring.

Or, the two "halves" are male and female, causing gonadal differences. These people aren't disabled, there's nothing wrong with their bodies, but they're subjected to unneccesary cosmetic surgeries as children because they are intersex.

Say it. SAY IT. INTERSEX. I N T E R S E X. IM GRABBING YOU BY THE SHIRT AND SHAKING YOU THEY ARE INTERSEX.

Can some intersex conditions cause disabilities? YES. Are intersex conditions inherently disabilities? NO. Even when you're discussing infertility as a disability, tread VERY CAREFULLY because intersex people are fighting very hard to lift the stigma over their bodies.

Speak with care. Do not equate being intersex with being disabled. They are two different things.

You can be both and sometimes one could contribute to the other, but BEING intersex IS NOT a disability.

VERY rarely, even MORE rare than standard chimeras which are already very very rare and massively underreported because they are so unremarkable, a fusion chimera will happen LATE in utero. THIS can contribute to a chronic autoimmune condition where the cells reject each other, which is a disability.

And by rare I mean one case. Literally one. Of the 50 reported fusion chimeras in the review I'm referencing, Taylor Muhl was the only one with this. 4 were discovered via congenital abnormalities (unknown if connected to the chimerism b/c they were only tested because something was already wrong), 17 had fertility issues, and the remaining 28 didn't report immune conditions or birth defects but INTERSEXUALITY.

ANOTHER condition is often lumped in with chimerism, by people who do not know what chimerism is, which is mosaicism. Mosaicism, when there are two different sets of genes resulting from the same zygote, is NOT chimerism. MOSAICISM can be a cause of disability. CHIMERISM is usually not.

(Read the review in depth, as it includes mosaic cases for the sake of completion.)

They can both be fertilization errors, but are not the same thing. Follow me, I'm only going to woefully simplify a complicated topic once,

CHIMERA = Two zygotes in one body

MOSAIC = Two bodies in one zygote

CHIMERA = usually fine

MOSAIC = usually bad

And the last possible places you could be getting the idea that chimerism "causes disability" from, to my knowledge, is 1. This study that says the loss of a twin in early pregnancy increases the chance of congenital defects in the survivors (has barely anything to do with chimerism, this link is tangential, vanishing twin syndrome does not necessarily mean it was absorbed by its sibling)

Or, 2, this study of several animals where they correlated rates of benign tumors to % of chimerism based on SPECIES. BLOOD chimeras. It's COWS AND MARMOSETS AGAIN. The study ITSELF calls for further targeted research of chimerism cause of susceptibility to cancer.

It couldn't even link new growths or malignant tumors to chimerism in the mammals of its study. WE'RE mammals.

Correlation does not equal causation. Statistics 101.

So no. That's not "a big thing." Chimerism is fine, they're just very likely to be intersex if they're a fusion chimera of a male and a female zygote. Do not imply intersexuality is a disability. Please get mad about the actual ableism in the series, not the team being clueless about tortie patterns.

Also everyone say you're sorry to intersex Moonpaw. I better see you people making intersex Moonpaw pride flag edits as penance IMMEDIATELY.

UPDATE: Anon apologized! Growth! I still think this is an important post, especially in the context of the wider fandom conversation, so I'm leaving it as-is. Please feel free to reblog.

UPDATE 2: Clarification on infertility as a disability because I didn't word myself very well in one section!

[lillestorehjerte]

So, if you are too tired to speak, sit next to me, because I, too, am fluent in silence.