#bringing this picture to my autism diagnosis

[cynautica]

I've come to the very reasonable and sane conclusion that the architect language can *potentially* be translated.

I'm not that smart though, I may just run with the bullshitting it method for my fan content if I don't hit a breakthrough.

SBZ doesn't really give us much material on the tablet alphabet beside Al-an's caller ID, his scan presents a small tidbit that suggests at least one additional alphabet/glyph set. The glyphs shown in the scan are notably more dainty and would not necessarily translate well to a carved surface. It would make sense for a species as advanced as the precursors to have more than one alphabet.

(More below cut)

What I found most interesting is that the tablets suggest the letters are mathematical logographs that correspond to (potentially) auditory frequencies. Which tells us yeah, these are graphemes. I was also surprised to realize that there appear to be around 24-25 unique letters present in the tablets which is good and bad news to us English speakers.

Its good because it suggests these letters are just mappings on to the english language and if scrambled correctly would just give us english words.

On the other hand it's bad, because it implies that the tablets function as a rosetta stone. unu Why is that bad? Because I am not smart enough to translate it.

There are notable letters that occur more frequently than others which may be analogous to vowels. In particular, letter 5, the one that resembles に or ni, appears 4-5 separate times. Letter 2, the one that resembles 川/kawa (I've been calling it h or highway), appears 3-4 times towards the "end" of these strings (not included, but are present on Al-an's call/decline).

Because the calls with Al-an show shifting letters with seemingly no rhyme or reason, I'm leaning towards this language being untranslatable by design. Even the PDA can't seem to distinguish the logographs.

The biggest problem I had was that the resolution on the tablet language was so low that many letters looked identical, while identical letters looked wildly different in a different lighting. What was a unique letter and what wasn't was difficult to discern.

If anyone has any tips or suggestions for a fake architect language hmu ig

I'm a big fan of conlangs but most of my experience comes from creating, not translating

[watarfallar]

I bring more

Etho: I like to play this game called nap roulette. I take a nap and don’t set an alarm. Will it be 20 min or 4 hours? Nobody knows. It’s risky and I like it.

Jimmy: Scott, I want a bedtime story! Scott: I’m busy, Jimmy. I’ll tell you one tomorrow. Jimmy: If you don’t tell me a story, I won’t go to bed! Scott: Once upon a time, there was a person named Jimmy, who always wanted things their way. One day, their friends got sick of it and locked them in the basement for the rest of their life. Everyone else lived happily ever after. The end. Jimmy: I don’t like these stories with morals.

Bdubs: Where did you get that tomato soup? Etho: It’s actually a bowl of ketchup I just microwaved.

Skizz: Hey, what have you two been doing? Martyn: we were helping Cleo with their wedding vows and we were kicked out of their house for making it inappropriate. Joel: How is “Nice ass, Bdubs” inappropriate?

BigB, talking to Martyn: They're trying to lure me into a false sense of security! Well, joke’s on them! I’ve never been secure in my life! And I’m not about to start now!

Mumbo: I’m not so sure you’re stakeout material. Scott: I’m a chronic insomniac, I was born for this.

BigB: Ew. What kind of tea is this? Martyn: I boiled gatorade.

Pearl: I keep a picture of all of us in my wallet. Whenever I face difficulties, I take it out and stare at the picture. The Squad: Awwww- Pearl: And I tell myself "If I can deal with these idiots, then I can deal with anything." The Squad: Oh.

Gem: So what do you have planned for the future? Jimmy: Lunch. Gem: No, like long term. Jimmy: Oh...um, dinner?

Cleo: As someone who has a long history of not understanding anything, I feel confident in my ability to continue not knowing what is going on.

Bdubs, singing: I don’t want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing I need— Joel: A family. Pearl: A better love life. Impulse: Mental stability. Jimmy: *clueless* Bagels?

Gem: Are you tall enough to play basketball though? Joel: Are you calling me short? Gem: I'm calling you vertically challenged.

Cleo: Am I in trouble? Skizz: Take a guess. Cleo: No? Skizz: Take another guess.

Etho: Sweet dog you got there. Police: Yes, this is our new drug sniffing dog. Etho: Still training huh? Police: What do you mean? Etho: Etho: Never mind.

Martyn, after asking the squad how to get rust off of a blade: Thank you good people oddly versed in knives.

Martyn: I wanna die. Joel: We all do, you aren't special!

Impulse and Gem texting* Impulse: Come downstairs and talk to me please. I'm lonely. Gem: Isn't Etho there? Impulse: Yes but I like you more.

Grian: When I first got my autism diagnosis, my first thought was “woah… it’s canon” and I think that maybe thoughts like that is why BigB made me get tested.

Pearl: We can’t tell you because you’re not a member of the club. Tango: What club? Scar: The hating Tango club. Tango: …The fuck? I should be the leader of that club!

+ a bonus soup group quote:

Keralis: Between Gem, Pearl and Impulse, there are three braincells. Keralis: And Impulse has all three of them.

[beaft]

hey it’s obviously not my business telling you how to live your life but i’m gonna suggest smth to u. as u mentioned BSL recently i’m gonna assume u live in the uk. i do too. i was on a two year wait list to get my autism diagnosis. i finally have it and it is a massive relief. i don’t know what the resources are like where you live, but if you can i would seriously recommend doing the preliminary screening thingies and getting put on a waitlist. being able to have actual medical justification for why i am Like This has made a big difference for me and i imagine it would be helpful for you too. sorry, im sure this stuff has like occurred to you before but yeah i just wanted to reach out

i actually did have a free autism assessment a while back, courtesy of my uni's support service, but it was... kind of a mess? everything was super rushed, they weren't clear on what was required, and the assessment mostly consisted of things like bringing out a picture of a cartoon smiley face and asking what emotion it was feeling, or getting me to read a kid's picture book and describe what was happening on each page. the assessor also spoke to me as if i was about four years old, which i didn't much appreciate as an adult human midway through a master's degree. in the end, she told me she thought it was more likely to be severe anxiety, and that i couldn't be autistic because i was "creative" and "found it easy to make friends". i found the whole thing very off-putting, which is partly why i have not tried to seek a diagnosis since.

nonetheless, thank you for the suggestion - i might look into it and see if i can get anywhere. i'm glad it helped you! i think it would help me too - i've just been put off by the long waitlists, not knowing exactly how to start the process, and the possibility that i might wait two years only to get the same result (not autistic, just weird).

[oldladynerd]

Well fuck.

Just need a little self pity session here. Feel free to ignore. And yes, I'm fully aware others have it worse. Like my child currently in a bipolar depressive episode of more than a year.

I'm not totally sure what's going on. Maybe a regular depression despite medication. Maybe some sort of burn out. Just mostly paralysed, sitting in my sofa corner. Occasionally crying, but mostly numb. Or anxious and quiet.

Went home from work before noon on Monday. Tried going back on Thursday, but left after half the day. Managed to get some things done, which didn't require much thinking, but as soon as I needed to make decisions, I was out. Complete nope.

Maybe the little things were adding up? The inspection at work (I was in the back office pulling out data and documents, never had to front), which went super well. A bunch of evaluations I need to do, which are not showing a tidy picture. Bunch of configuration changes that need approval before doing them. Worry about my (grown up, moved out and engaged) child (but bipolar). Shame about not keeping in touch with dad much. Gaining weight. 2 kg in about a month is a bit much. Aches and pains, although right now that's better. High blood pressure. Maybe it's all menopause? And shame over not quitting cigarettes. Most days, 3. On a bad day up to five cigarettes. It's not a lot. I should be able to quit. But am lacking willpower.

I do have a psychiatrist appointment next week, at the adhd clinic, because at my last request for renewing my antidepressants they realised it's been 3 years since i saw someone. Will bring up that list of signs of autistic shut down, where I checked off more than half. Might look at autistic burn out too, since this is slower than immediate shut down. Maybe ask for some adhd medication, I stopped methylphenidate abruptly because of blood pressure after a year, and have no adhd meds since then. My evaluation five years ago showed tendencies of autism, but not enough for diagnosis.

I also have an appointment with the GP, the week after next. Will try to remember all my physical issues then. Maybe hormones might help.

Oh well. I shall survive, for sure. It would be nice to feel a little happier though. The occasional moment of joy.

[littleraccooncarl]

Los Angeles Times article on Carl the Collector!

(this is from a few days ago, and it gives us information about how Kai Barham was cast as Carl)

On Thursday, PBS debuts its new children’s program, “Carl the Collector.” Like many TV shows aimed at the under 10 demographic, “Carl” features adorable animated animals who work together to solve problems and learn valuable life lessons. Carl, a kind raccoon who loves to collect things, lives in a fictional world called Fuzzytown with his friends, including twin rabbits, a helpful beaver, a reserved fox and an energetic squirrel. As we’ve come to expect from PBS children’s programming, the series is funny, sweet, educational and poignant. But “Carl the Collector” is also groundbreaking because Carl is autistic. It’s the first time PBS Kids has centered a series on a neurodiverse character. It was created by children’s book author Zachariah OHora, who says the inspiration came from watching his own children and their interactions with their peers. “All kids, regardless of what their needs are, get the same access to teachers, social time in the classroom and get support for whatever they need,” he says, noting that his children attend an inclusion school. “I noticed that my kids just didn’t differentiate. It was just such a light bulb moment for me. This is how it should be. More exposure to the full spectrum of humanity.” Sara DeWitt, senior vice president and general manager of PBS Kids, says that the public broadcaster endeavors for its shows to be both mirrors and windows. For autistic children, Carl can be a mirror, a character they may see in themselves. For neurotypical kids, he can be a window into better understanding their peers. To ensure authenticity, the series, from Fuzzytown Productions and Spiffy Pictures, involved neurodiverse people at all levels of production from the actors to the writers to the show’s advisers. Like Carl, series adviser Stephen Shore, a professor at Adelphi University, is autistic, and when he saw the first episode of the series, he couldn’t believe how much he had in common with Carl, down to their mutual love of argyle sweater vests.

“Zach didn’t know I existed when he started writing ‘Carl the Collector,’” he says. “So I think that speaks to Zach doing his research in depicting an autistic child authentically.” Shore says he combines his personal experience as an autistic person with his practical experience working with autistic people. The result are moments in the show like Carl’s stimming (wiggling his fingers or flapping his arms) or the exactness of his speech. For director Lisa Whittick, whose son is autistic, the show is deeply personal. “I’ve been working in animation for 20 years and never did I think I’d have the opportunity to work on a show that a community I belong to has been wanting and needing for so long,” she says. “We would have been able to diagnose our son much earlier if we had any clues because he was 12 when he was diagnosed. At that time I didn’t know much about autism at all and it was a very scary and stressful time for us and it was scary for him too. This show will go a very long way in helping to alleviate that fear.”

Carl is voiced by Kai Barham, who has autism and makes his acting debut with this series. Since it was important to production that the character be voiced by an autistic child, Whittick reached out to the support group at Grandview Children’s Center in Ontario, Canada, a community she is a part of, and posted an open call for the audition. Like his animated alter ego, Barham collects things like Squishmallows — he has a raccoon one when he talks to The Times — and rocks (Whittick brings him a special one every time he comes in to record). “I think anyone who is autistic, they will be happy to be represented,” he says. While everyone involved in the series believes it is a personal choice about whether or not to disclose an autism diagnosis, after much discussion, it was decided that it was important for Carl to tell his friends (and the audience) that he is autistic. “I thought there should be an episode where [viewers] learn there might be some reasons why maybe Carl might be acting a little bit different than some of the other characters they’ve known from their kids’ TV shows or their own real life friends,” writer Ava Xiao-Lin Rigelhaupt says. That desire resulted in “The Fall,” which will be part of the first batch of episodes to roll out digitally Thursday and will be broadcast on PBS on Nov. 21. In the episode, Carl’s friend Nico falls and Carl doesn’t have the reaction Nico was expecting. The storyline was inspired by something that happened to Rigelhaupt as a child. She remembers sitting at the kitchen table doing her homework when her mom fell and Rigelhaupt didn’t respond the way her mom thought she should. “I saw her fall and, like Carl, I froze,” she says. “I felt just awful. I remember racking my brain because I didn’t know what to do. I often explain that autism for me feels like everyone read this social skills rule book except for me, but I’m still expected to take the test. At that moment, I felt at a loss.”

Carl and his mother work out how he will disclose he is autistic in a way that is educational to Nico and will help Nico understand. “Disclosure has to go further than just saying, ‘I’m autistic,” Shore explains. Following Shore’s saying that if you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism, the show’s creators thought it was important to portray how autism manifests in different ways. Lotta, a female fox, has sound sensitivities and chooses not to tell her friends she has autism. “Because autism presents itself differently in females, a lot of times they can use masking techniques to elude being diagnosed,” Ohora explains. “Her experience with autism is totally different than Carl’s.” The show’s straightforward animation and subdued color palette are also important. “Animation is simpler and easier to process,” Shore says. “That is one reason autistic people tend to like animation. There are so many subtitles that go on in live action that can easily overwhelm an autistic person.” Being part of a groundbreaking show can seem heavy, but its ultimate aim is to entertain the young people watching. “Representation is so important. That’s one of the things that makes this really special,” DeWitt says. “But when people hear that they sometimes think, ‘Oh this is going to be a very serious show.’ But it’s a really funny show.” Ohora says the overall goal is that “everyone can learn but in the funnest and fuzziest way possible.”

[historiavn]

ASSORTED HEADCANONS — Milo James Thatch

When I first started writing as Milo, I wanted to pursue a holistic approach to his character that actively took into careful consideration the turbulent time period in which he lived. Here are some of the headcanons I’ve come up with him, to give y’all a better picture of my portrayal.

Growing up in GILDED AGE AMERICA had an enormous impact on Milo's character, and plays a distinct role in determining the course of his reaction to Rourke's betrayal. During this time period, "ROBBER BARONS" such as J.P. Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, and John D. Rockefeller ruled with an iron fist over their respective industries, flaunting their wealth and prioritizing profit over people in order to get ahead. Rourke's plan surely would have eerily reminded Milo of the greed exhibited by these individuals, heightening his aversion beyond the fierce desire to protect Atlantis and her people. The negative consequences of AMERICAN CAPITALISM were on full display as Milo came of age, and it is this that enables him to so clearly predict the mechanisms through which Rourke would weaponize Atlantis's material and spiritual resources.

Milo is incredibly SUPERSTITIOUS, and has been this way for the vast majority of his life. Many of these superstitions were instilled in him by his grandfather Thaddeus, but his firm belief in the concept that breaking a mirror brings bad luck comes directly from personal experience. Shortly before he was due to give a major presentation on Atlantis to the museum board, he accidentally broke a handheld mirror by dropping it on the floor — and the presentation was a failure.

Milo's grandfather, Thaddeus, was a veteran of the American Civil War. He was called to serve in the Union Army due to the Conscription Act of 1863, and subsequently joined the ranks of the men fighting alongside ULYSSES S. GRANT in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Thaddeus fought alongside Grant for the rest of the war, including APPOMATTOX. Milo grew up knowing of his grandfather's military service; however, Thaddeus rarely, if ever, spoke of his experiences on the battlefield. He once met the former General Grant at the age of five years old, but barely remembers it because of how young he was at the time. What he does remember, however, is witnessing firsthand the effects of trauma from war wrought upon his grandfather. As such, Milo has developed a profound fear of war & bloodshed and will strive to keep peace at all costs.

Thaddeus once attempted to take Milo horseback riding in the Appalachian Mountains; however, to say that this did not go well is an understatement. Milo returned home with several broken bones and a lifelong aversion to equestrian activities.

Milo exhibits numerous characteristics that, when considered collectively, would result in a modern day diagnosis of AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. Milo's characterization in the film suggests that his SPECIAL INTEREST is the lost kingdom of Atlantis, and he "infodumps" to the expedition's crew numerous times throughout their journey. As exhibited by his difficulty to befriend his fellow adventurers, Milo finds social situations challenging; he is a LITERAL thinker who struggles to understand the subtle rules of etiquette that govern group dynamics. SOCIAL CUES, such as Kida's ceaseless flirting, fly right over his head, making him entirely oblivious to Kida's affections. His affliction of TIME BLINDNESS demonstrated in the very first scene of the movie and made possible by POOR TIME MANAGEMENT skills, is also evident of Autism.

Although Milo pretended otherwise — unable to stomach the fact that he was upset over the loss of friendship with a man who so callously put profit over lives — Rourke’s betrayal STUNG. For many years, lingering emotions over Rourke's status as a turncoat haunted Milo, and this tragic fact became his deepest, darkest secret. Not even Kida, who is able to read Milo like an open book, suspects that the emotional damage wrought by Rourke cuts so deeply. Milo values loyalty to friends and family above all else, and the experience with Rourke was the very first time he ever witnessed someone blatantly disregard one of his core values.

When he needs to think, Milo will take a walk on the beach at Long Island Sound. Oftentimes, this endeavor will instead lead to him getting distracted by acquiring seashells to add to his already extensive collection.

[auschizm]

Hello, this is a follow up to my last message around medical neglect. Thank you so much for responding!! Even if I’m completely wrong it feels amazing to be believed.

I very much agree with you that not every person or diagnoses benefits from medical intervention. I’ve already been through this once with making the choice to never diagnose my autism, even if I’m given the chance. An autism diagnosis could restrict travel, independence, finance, and just be dangerous at times. That and not being something that can be treated or given much support just makes a diagnosis unhelpful to me. I’ve spent years researching autism and setting up supports for myself and I think I can be okay without medical support.

I think this is the same category that schizophrenia is going to fall into for me. Excluding my last breakdown (which did make the world feel impossible and took everything from me for a long time, thank you for acknowledging how hard that was, your one of very few), I’ve only had mild at worst psychosis/delusions/hallucinations. So, largely thanks to you, I know antipsychotics are probably never going to be the route for me. I didn’t know about negative symptoms of schizophrenia before and I think that’s where Ive had the hardest time and need to place my energy for research. Again thank you for making me aware of this and giving me a fuller picture of what schizophrenia is. I still have a long, long way to go but I’m happy to exist as I am and talk to other people who are like me.

Despite all that I’m still upset that I can’t bring these parts of me to medical attention in association with my other struggles. It’s hard enough to get treatment for things that can be helped medically like anxiety, depression, and adhd. But having both autism and possible schizophrenia as a part of my identity makes everything present differently. For example, I do think medication and therapy would be helpful to my anxiety but I don’t know how to separate those symptoms from my paranoia and that complicates things. I don’t know how to get help for depression when I can’t acknowledge my autism stifling support systems. There’s no clear answer for this and I’m not asking for one. I know I’ll continue to get better over time and I’m trying to be patient. But going through is never the fun part.

I’m excited to keep learning and exploring my identity. Thank you for the dozenth time and thank you to the comments for the extra support as well!! You all are amazing people :)

It really sucks that the ableism in and outside psychiatry means that having certain diagnoses in your papers may backfire, but it is unfortunately a fact in current society. And there's no point in acting like this is not the case.

[bitchin-tubs]

Complain time again tee hee but I’m just like UGHHHH talking genuinely to these ppl is SO hardddddd

With girl A, I spent almost a whole class lecture (friendly) debating with this one girl on why people medically diagnosed as psychopaths and sociopaths are not inherently dangerous, are not narcissistic by default and how ‘masking’ is not a form a manipulation. Her source for all of these… You. The Netflix show…

With girl B, I feel like she’s sooooo,,,, dismissive ?? Idk like I tried to introduce her to my friends once and she genuinely did not gaf. Like I said hi B this is C then she says hi to me and me only. Like my girl C is right here. But at the same time she’s always bringing me into her friend groups which is fine but I dont connect easily so most times I’m kinda just there SPECIALLY if it’s an all men group when I have specially told her I tend to be uncomfortable with men for “no” reason

I was having a conversation with girl A and the topic of autism was brought up, I told her that I think I may be low on the spectrum but there are some things I tend to relate to with autism behaviors, and considering opened up to me about her anxiety and how she had previously talked very openly abt diagnosis I thought maybe she’d get it. I know,,, self diagnosis (u are free to feel any type of way abt it) but idk I thought she’d have any type of nuanced comment about it but I should’ve known from the psychopath talk… I had told her that I find meeting new people very hard, I have difficulty talking to said people and I tend to be very restrictive about who I make a meaningful connection to. She said that my personality is and I quote “mamona” (jerk/snob/asshole ish) and completely dismissed my masking, overstimulation, 10 year old special interest, taking shit to literal and not understanding social cues or instructions as “just being different” yeah so I thought… yknow I might not have autism valid but idk I felt so ignored at that moment

Also don’t think I just unpack shit on her unannounced, we talk and convos play out as they usually do and since the topic was out I was like sometimes I wonder if I have it because of so and so plus she was unwinded with me before so it wasn’t impossible for us to talk abt personal stuff, even though we not so tight we are still close

Another thing I’m very bad at making friends, I think I mirror good enough to have nice interactions with people but not to the point they invite me to shit or talk to me outside of classes. Back when I was in my exchange program I was sharing a room with 3 swifties so I had to pretend to like Taylor swift so I wouldn’t feel singled out, I also watched the summer I turned pretty and witnessed these girls thirst over bad boy #2 when I thought the character was so shitty (the actor is good looking but I’m not attracted to him) and also would also unknowingly spend all-nighters on school nights (as in I didn’t know they were meant to be all-nighters) with them watching a movie I didn’t particularly like and see everyone thirsting over annoying man on screen (one of them was some straight outta wattpad step-sibling story ew, the other pride and prejudice IM SORRY YALL I DIDNT GET THE HYPE 😭 call me uncultured it’s okay

A and B are sólo also hardcore swifties and I can only be neutral abt her otherwise they get on my ass about it and saying I like Taylor swift or her music is too big of a lie even for me

I told girl A about this (or at least a bit) and she said that I should’ve just been me. Girl I can’t be me we were both witnessing a girl being actively bullied (tv show ass bullying they printed a picture of her and drew over it ugly, taped it to her dorm room. Still hurtful and bullying tho) I’m NOT about to ostracize myself

HOWEVERRR these are not my main friends, these are like the friends I made to not be lonely in these extra classes for an American 🦅🦅🦅 diploma. My close CLOSE friends are from my same career classes and they are so much more understanding and can interact more naturally with. So in my day to day I got good genuine friends by my side

I recognize that I can be perceiving these memories differently than how they actually happened, misinterpret their actions and just be in my feeling right now but idk I feel like I’m so difficult and constantly just have to comply with people in order to make others comfortable

[showmethehotpods]

Also very tired, but seeing an Evening With Stephen Fry was such a cathartic, inspiring experience.

To hear someone talk about how passionate they were about 'flowery' language - that growing up, not being good at sport or traditional skills but in writing and ideas, being bullied for being the 'different' one. I teared up when he spoke about his documentary about bipolar and manic depression - about why people might resort to self harm as a coping strategy - to control something about themselves, the storm inside your head that can bring moments of such enlightened productivity - but have days where it all feels too much and you don't want to get out from under your blankets.

I feel seen, understood. Like washing away the bleakness of every failure of online communication and times where writing and roleplaying couldn't get up off the grown. To remember why I fell in love with reading and writing in the first place, that I was devouring higher level novels and spitting out fanfictions from ages 12-14. When it was okay that not everyone liked me or what I might create - it didn't matter as long as I was writing, because that's what I loved doing, as part of me as breathing was!

I feel amazing. I know I can do amazing things, both on my own and with people willing to be patient and understand the intense emotions that sometimes comes with a diagnosis of autism and adhd. As I learn about how to better manage emotional regulation and reactions, for better and worse that the times may be - this is something that will always be a very real part of me. Not all of me. But enough to acknowledge who I am, what fuels me, what burns the happy dreamer brightly - and what I won't let baggage me down.

I'm sensitive and emotional. I love words, language, the written words shaping in interesting and eloquent ways. To use these words to shape a story of characters so vivid that people can see pictures of it in their mind, hear the voices of these characters when they read my words.

My god, I will create passionately. Unabashedly. Unapologetically, except for the times I misstep or misunderstand, due to the way my brain works and understands things, to apologize when I do make mistakes, but to learn and grow stronger for them.

I forgot the beauty in why I did this. Let this long rambling post remind me to never be ashamed for the quiet dreamer of big heart and hearty laughs at silly meme humour, the misty eyes of feeling strong emotional understanding of fictional words and scenarios, the empathy to understand the real people behind the screen, but not to take on so much of another's emotional state that I overwhelm myself and act out.

Until one day, maybe I can be on a stage of my own, describing how my many experiences shaped me into where I am today.

[jean-dieu]

Ask game: List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the ask box of the last 10 people who liked or reblogged something from you!

UHM. Let me think about it, thank you for the ask Dujour!! <3

My mom sending pictures of Gaufrette the dog haha. I don't get to see her very often and I'm glad I can see her goofy little face and her being a mop in pictures. It always bring a smile to my face hehe.

To know that I'm finally on the right path for the diagnosis I need. I know it won't fix everything (if only lol) but getting diagnosed at 24 yo with ADHD and getting assessed for Autism soon is such a relief. Like... Fuck, it wasn't just me being lazy.

I've been trying new things in art and I'm pretty pleased with my art style recently. It's so... Rare. I don't beat myself so much when I don't like something. I still need to get more consistent especially when I draw the same character but I like my "new" art style and coloring style. Less work and prettier, what can I ask?

It's getting colder! Yippee! I have a bunch of pretty coats I wanna wear!

Imma be honest, I do enjoy the new Dragon Age game despite all of my critics. I'm growing attached to my Rook, Géraud! Orlesian Warden, ex-art student at Val Royeaux's University.

[intersex-support]

Hello! Thank you for making this blog, it’s been a really helpful resource to me so far :)

I’m a trans person considering going on hrt, and part of that is looking at the different effects. Through this, I’ve been looking at a lot of pictures of bottom growth and a lot of them look like me, currently, with no T. I found one specific picture that was the same length/size as me that had a lot of comments saying that was their goal.

It brought me back to something I’d been considering, which is that I may have an intersex condition. I’ve always had irregular and intensely painful periods (that put me out for 2-3 days)- my doctors never took me seriously, and I later went on birth control which has helped some. I also have light, but more noticeable than average, facial hair on my upper lip. And I tend to gain weight easier, despite not having an appetite and often forgetting meals (that part is autism)

My sister is diagnosed with something relating to painful periods (I believe endometriosis? But I’m not sure)

I’d like to bring it up with my doctor, but I’m not sure how. Do you have any advice for me? I’m fine with/proud of a lot of these qualities, but the pain specifically worries me. I want to make sure this isn’t anything serious and that I’m on the right treatments, if need be. Of course, it’d also be helpful to know if I am intersex or have some form of hormone imbalance before going on hrt, if I decide to. And that’s just the sort of thing a person should know, you know?

Thank you for reading, and answering if you do <3

First of all, here is a post that mod E has answered in the past: https://intersex-support.tumblr.com/post/685792229921538048/hey-i-have-hyperandrogynism-i-was-just-curious#notes

If you are going to have testosterone HRT, you should definitely do a comprehensive hormone panel for you in order to monitor how it is affecting your body, this is pretty common. This is something you can ask your primary doctor for, if you don't want to tell them it is because you plan to do HRT, you can just say it is because you present certain symptoms/traits and would like to know if there is a reason. Also, if you find your doctor isn't listening, look for trans groups in your area that might know a doctor who will take you seriously.

Testosterone HRT will affect everyone differently, from your ask (specifically third paragraph) it sounds like you possibly have hyperandrogenic PCOS. What I've noticed is people with PCOS will not have the same experience, some people need higher doses and for others, it could affect them in a more worrying way and you can easily go down a dose.

Just make sure you're keeping track of how you feel and the results you get from tests. There's no way to be sure (even with a diagnosis) how HRT will affect your body, but that doesn't mean you don't have control or that starting it is a bad idea.

[cesium-sheep]

mast cells united: a summary of my thoughts

overall, I do not like the author. her scientific communication is very weak, her perseverance on naturopathy ranges from grating to outright concerning, and between the two it drastically weakens the overall quality of this book as a resource. there's also some deeply problematic discussion of autism sprinkled in at random. and no glossary at all which seems like a very strange thing to leave out, especially as terms get defined sporadically in the main body (and more often than not, either repeatedly or not at all). the perseverance on naturopathy in particular never seemed to be mentioned when I heard others talking about it, and it was downplayed in the cover blurb as well, so do be aware of that.

however, there are still chunks of this book that are more helpful than the information presented in never bet against occam, the other Big Book Of MCAS. these two books are likely to be most useful in conjunction with one another, with a strong eye for editorializing this one in particular, much like one is strongly suggested to skip certain episodes of classic TV series for the optimal viewing experience.

I would advise reading never bet against occam first, as it rests largely on a number of case studies that are presented in a manner making it much easier to recognize potential symptoms of mcas and bring it to the table for initial consideration. mast cells united is much less narrative in its presentation of potential symptoms aside from the author's experience described in chapter 1 which is gonna be of highly limited recognition especially as the only one, but provides a greater quantity of condensed and accessible information about things like the mast cell itself and supported treatments that is also several years more up to date than occam, making it less useful for raising initial suspicions but more useful as an information resource in the process of diagnosis and treatment.

when reading mast cells united, I strongly advise skipping the following entirely:

chapter 1

in chapter 4, the section starting with the header "MCAS and the RCCX theory" up until the header "the tryptase conundrum"

chapter 5

in chapter 6, the section starting with the header "the big picture approach" through the end of the chapter

in chapter 7, the section starting with the header "autism spectrum disorders" through the end of the chapter

chapter 8

in chapter 9, the section starting at the beginning of the chapter up until the header "mainstream medications for mcas treatment"

chapter 10 (although the section on pregnancy may have some value)

in chapter 12, the section starting with the header "detoxification" up until the header "exercise and MCAS" - the section starting with the header "neuropsychological treatment approaches" up until the header "strategies for emotional healing" - the section starting with the header "joy vs happiness" up until the header "other strategies to restore [PSNS] dominance"

I did not read chapter 11 for personal reasons but it may be useful to others if approached with due caution.

there are other small sections that irritated or bored me, including elements of ableism and patronization, but this removes the majority of the Complete Trash from the pile, leaving you with mostly beneficial information, which will make it an overall more pleasant and useful experience. there are some sections that include discussion of medical neglect, which I have for the most part left in, for though it can be upsetting it is useful.

the author's resource website is still up under the same name as the book, and it looks like she put out another book in 2021 that is much more explicit in the description about its focus on naturopathy, so I'm gonna just assume that of the two probably just get this one, unless you're into it too. and don't worry, of course she also offers a $300 video course about mold! :|

for more detailed (less organized) thoughts, see my other posts as I read under the tag [mast cells united].

[noisycowboyglitter]

"My Autistic Cousin: The Light of My Life"

"I Love My Autistic Cousin" is a powerful statement that celebrates the unique bond between family members and promotes autism acceptance. This phrase encapsulates the unconditional love and support for a cousin who experiences the world through a different lens due to being on the autism spectrum.

Buy now:19.95$

This expression goes beyond mere words, representing a deep understanding and appreciation for the diverse ways people think, communicate, and interact. It acknowledges the challenges that may come with autism while focusing on the positive aspects and the strength of family connections.

By openly declaring love for an autistic cousin, this phrase helps to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorders and challenges societal stereotypes. It encourages others to see the person behind the diagnosis and to appreciate the unique qualities that individuals with autism bring to their families and communities.

Buy now

This statement can resonate deeply with families touched by autism, offering a sense of solidarity and understanding. It may appear on various items like t-shirts, mugs, or social media posts, serving not only as a personal affirmation but also as a conversation starter about autism awareness and acceptance.

"I Love My Autistic Cousin" ultimately stands as a testament to the power of familial love, the importance of neurodiversity, and the need for greater understanding and inclusion in our society.

Autism ribbon colors typically feature a puzzle piece design, primarily in shades of blue. The most recognized version uses a vibrant royal blue, symbolizing hope and awareness for autism spectrum disorders. The puzzle piece pattern represents the complexity and mystery surrounding autism, while also highlighting how individuals with autism fit into the broader societal picture.

Buy now

Some ribbons incorporate multiple colors like red, yellow, and blue to represent the wide spectrum of autism and its varied manifestations. In recent years, there's been a shift towards using gold or rainbow colors, promoted by some autistic self-advocates. Gold symbolizes value and importance, while rainbow colors celebrate neurodiversity.

These ribbons are widely used during Autism Awareness Month in April and throughout the year to promote understanding, acceptance, and support for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.

Autism Awareness colors are primarily associated with shades of blue, particularly a vibrant royal blue. This color has become synonymous with autism awareness campaigns worldwide. The blue is often complemented by a puzzle piece design, symbolizing the complexity of autism spectrum disorders.

Buy now

In recent years, the color palette has expanded to include a rainbow of hues, representing the diversity of the autism spectrum. Some advocates prefer gold to represent the value of neurodiversity. Red, yellow, and light blue are also used to signify hope, opportunity, and acceptance.

These colors appear on ribbons, clothing, and various awareness materials to promote understanding and support for individuals with autism.

[burningarsenic]

You know what i will use this as an opportunity to rant on my silly little blog

The obsession with making neurotypicals (from an autistic point of view, since i don't know much about other neurodivergencies. sorry guys.) out to be "the wrong ones" is so crazy to me and goes against the entirety what the neurodiversity movement should be about. The whole point is that all of us are different. There is no right or wrong way to communicate, we only want our needs met and respected by said neurotypicals

Me and my friend were having an entire discussion about how "top-down" and "bottom up" thinking make zero sense, since both are completely situational. You cannot research for your paper without knowing the theme of your research, aka going off of the larger picture and finding information on the smaller areas. That, from what i understand, is the definition of said "neurotypical" thinking. "Oh top-down thinkers rely on their past experiences-" have we forgotten that this is literally a criteria for an autism diagnosis? Routines rely wholeheartedly on previous experiences. "I have done this before so i do not feel the need to do anything else, as it could bring drastic consequences to my wellbeing", doesn't that also fit under said "top down" stuff? (not to mention that the whole theory is dubious at best and completely baseless at worst)

And yet i've seen people (mainly on tiktok, of fucking course) use that as another thing to throw in people's faces about how "AHA! We're so much smarter than those neurotypicals because we actually look at the facts before arriving at a conclusion!". It makes zero sense to me! Why are you so obsessed with proving some sort of moral/functional superiority? What about the autistic people that are different than you? Isn't that what your whole message is about? Acceptance? Accommodation?

This bastardization of what is and isn't an autistic trait as opposed to just. Personality and preference is so worrying. Same goes for virtually any disorder actually. We get it. You want to feel better about being oppressed, about the trauma inflicted on you by those who do not understand, but hatred and segregation isn't the answer. Autism is inseparable from who you are sure, but it also isn't who you are. There's a reason some autistic people prefer person-first language and others don't.

Sorry to the people who follow me and see this rant lmao i hope you enjoyed this has been on my mind for a while holy shit

"It's neurotypicals who lack empathy ACTUALLY'

stop. Lacking empathy is a common neurodivergent trait. It's common for people with personality disorders. We're not neurotypical. Empathy is a value neutral trait and says nothing about a person's character. You're not owning the NTs when you say that--you're just making other neurodivergent people feel unsafe around you and painting us as Bad People.

[frosinapopovskigrad701]

Week 1.1 SDL

Part C: Compile images and information about 3 case studies that are inspiring to you. 

Case Study One: 

https://bestawards.co.nz/public-good-award/student-public-good/thomas-mackisack/spot-check-1/

Thomas Masckisack - Spot Check 

“More New Zealanders die from melanoma than on our roads. If melanoma occurs, early diagnosis is essential to survival. SPOT CHECK is a personal skin cancer detection system. Combining the power of advanced camera hardware & artificial intelligence, it can identify and track suspicious spots– catching melanoma before it’s too late.”

My thoughts: 

I was looking at the best awards website under the public awards section for 2022. And I came across this that was very inspiring to me. Being someone that loves summer and loves to tan in the summer but forgets to reapply sunblock I have times where the idea of melanoma has crossed my mind. It’s very cool and interesting to see how he has developed this whole idea and device for someone to be able to detect if they do have melanoma. It seems to be a product that I’ve never really seen before. Being so easy an accessible it’s insane to me to see how he has compiled this invention. It makes it easy for doctors to use or even for the day to day person to use it when needed. I feel like having something easy, quick and efficient is extremely needed in this society.  

Case Study Two: 

https://bestawards.co.nz/public-good-award/student-public-good/aut-art-design/big-deal-so-what/

Jenna Billman - Big Deal! So what? 

“Why is it we live in a world that is so diverse, yet we are constantly judged if we don’t follow the ‘norms’ of society?”

My thoughts:

Firstly I was so captured by the font and the imagery. Especially the colours and the simple drawings. Being something that is so simple yet so effective is something that really captured my intentions. After reading further in the description I saw that this was quite a unique idea. Looking at the idea of how if we don’t follow these social norms we are so easily judged by whoever. Being something that I have experienced and I’m sure a lot of people as well have. I really loved her idea of how it was a poster but within the poster there was multiple of stickers. This made the poster so much more interactive and people walking by that related to the heading/idea could contribute and grab a sticker. I really loved this idea!!

Case Study Three:

https://bestawards.co.nz/public-good-award/student-public-good/aut-art-design/blus-backpack/

Kendra Smith - Blus Backpack

“Blu’s Backpack is an illustrative and informative picture book that follows along with a character, Blu, who has Autism. The brand project intends to help support and raise awareness about Autism among primary school children. The illustrative picture book brings knowledge and educational help to children who have been recently diagnosed and are struggling to understand the disorder. Arguably, there seem to be limited educational resources or picture books specifically aimed at Autistic children and this is something I want to create to help that gap in the market. The book tells Blu’s story and everything he stores in his backpack that helps him to go about his daily successes and struggles with Autism. I created ‘Blu’ as someone who young children could relate and be identified with and feel as though they are not alone or different. The book contains 14 pages of illustrations and information told through a playful perspective, steering away from a clinical approach. My production and creation techniques consisted of surveys and interviews with families to gain the correct knowledge and terminology. Methods of storyboarding, drawing and illustrating of ‘Blu’ were combined to create the final picture book. This picture book would be distributed at clinics, paediatrician offices, libraries and schools for parents, families and children.”

My thoughts: 

First impressions I thought this ideas was soooo sweet. I loved how it she went for more of a playful approach rather than a more medical approach. And it being a source that young kids can easily relate to that have Autism. I really love the story telling idea and having it as a picture book. I also really love the illustrative approach they look it’s very playful and light. I also really love the contrast between the blue to beige to orange colours they chose. Overall it’s such a cool idea for children with Autism to be able to look at a book where they can relate too because not all children books have this!!!

[autism-fucking-rocks]

Hi, You don't have to answer, if you don't want to, but do you have any tips on how to get an autism diagnosis? (:

First, I would bring it up to your doctor, who can decide to refer you to a specialist for an assessment. It may help to bring a list of autistic traits you or others have observed in yourself in case you go blank once you get there.

If you get the referral, you'll probably go to see someone who specializes in autism, and they will test you for it. For me, the assessment was basically them asking me a bunch of questions about myself, observing my body language, eye contact, etc during the session, giving me some tests like arranging pictures in a certain order, and stuff like that.

It's important to mask as little as possible to give them an accurate idea of how you are.

Based on the results, they either will or won't diagnose you. Or at least, that was my experience.

I hope this helps and if I'm wrong at any parts, anyone can feel free to correct me.