Autism Elites

His academic journey was bumpy, to say the least! But he never once gave up. reposted @carrie_cariello 1️⃣ #autism #autismawarenessmonth #autismspectrum #autismoeinclusão #autismonãoédoença #autismacceptancemonth #autismproud #autismusspektrumstörung #AutismAwarenessAndAcceptance #AutismAcceptanceMonth

I jest but plenty of people on the spectrum do collect rocks as a special interest ...reposted @adhd_memetherapy . . . ⏸️ #autisme #autisticlife #autismoadulto #autisminspiration #autismspectrumdisorder #autie #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealth #asd #autisticburnout #latediagnosedautistic

To know her, is to know shades of colours you can’t imagine. Officially, Kenzie has had a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism for two years, but we know she has been this vibrant since the second she was born. For the first six years of her life, I wondered. There was always an inkling of wonder within me as I watched her study my hands or listened to her giggle and move in ways I wasn’t sure of. Her body was stubborn, low tone made it hard to crawl, sit or babble. When I hear other parents talk about an awareness of their autistic child, it’s almost always in ways which Down syndrome did not allow for Kenzie. We sat in the grey, she and I, for a long time. Down syndrome did all the heavy work. Receiving that first diagnosis set into motion a tremendous shift in our family, and we grew into advocates as our daughter grew into a toddler. We learned doors would be closed and we learned only mindsets could open them. We spent years flexing our muscles of resilience. The day our world erupted into colour was the day I heard a doctor say “yes, I agree” and paperwork was stamped with the words Dual Diagnosis. I felt an immediate stillness, like the chatter of the world fell away, and the harmony of her entire being came into bright focus. I have spent the last two years unsure how to show up within the autism community. I know it isn’t my voice that is wanted - and - I so rarely see anyone else representing the perspective of my daughter. Almost 18% of individuals with DS have a dual diagnosis of ASD, and even though we felt incredibly welcomed by autistic friends, we didnt always feel understood. April is #autismawarenessmonth and my hope is to bring attention to voices like my magnetic daughter. Non-speaking. High support needs. Curious wonder. Neon colour. I won’t ever forget the feeling I had when I heard the words “Kenzie is autistic.” It was like waking up, like remembering I knew her best all along. Like a freefall into peace. P

Collaborative problem-solving is about understanding what each person wants/needs and working together to generate solutions that benefit everyone. 💡🤝 Using an approach like this allows our students the opportunity to practice perspective-taking. Collaborative problem-solving is also useful in eliminating power struggles because the student is encouraged to participate in finding a reasonable solution. 💞 Posted @projecthopefoundation 3️⃣ #autismacceptance #autismrocks #autismparent #autismmommy #autismonãotemcara #autismoitalia #autismheroawards #AutisticPride #AutisticAndProud #adhd

🧐Do any of these resonate with you? 🩵While there is a huge amount of awareness about autism in 2024, clinicians, adults, and even ourselves can struggled to identify signs of autism. 🩷Whether you think you could be autistic, or whether you are a clinician working in a diagnostic service. These are signs to keep an eye out for to get clarity around a diagnosis 🩵You might have particular or special interests – for example, you might collect sticks or memorise football statistics but not really be interested in the game 🩷 You might have a behaviour that seems compulsive – for example, you might line things up or need to close all the doors in the house 🩵 You be particularly attached to certain objects – for example, they might have carried items around as a kid or collected certain items like crisp packets or shoelaces 🩷Would you get quite be upset by change and like routines – for example, you might have needed to be told in advance when your usual routine changed, or you might have a set routine for getting ready in the morning 🩵Do you repeat body movements or move your bodies in unexpected ways – for example, you might flap your hands or rock back and forth, away from side to side, pick at finger nails. 🩷Do you enjoy making repetitive noises – for example, grunts, throat-clearing or squeals? If these resonate with you they could be signs of autism. These are important signs to identify, as they will help you to differentiate between other neurological diagnosis such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. . . . . reposted from @sensoryselfco . . . 2️⃣ #autismawareness #autismawarenessmonth #autismspectrum #autismtattoo #autismdads #autismstars #autismmama #imWhatAutismLooksLike #StopAutismSpeaks #AutisticMemesForAutisticTeens

Stimming helps me express myself - - reposted from @_thislineismine - - 1️⃣ #autism #autismawarenessmonth #autismspectrum #autismoeinclusão #autismonãoédoença #autismacceptancemonth #autismproud #autismusspektrumstörung #AutismAwarenessAndAcceptance #AutismAcceptanceMonth

Up to 12 months of age, signs of autism can include: 1. little or no babbling 2. little or no eye contact 3. showing more interest in objects than people 4. appearing not to hear when spoken to directly 5. repetitive movements with their fingers, hands, arms or head Up to 2 years of age, additional 5 signs may also include: 1. very specific area of interest that appear obsessions 2. Speech: delay in speech or sometimes regression. By 2 years they should be able to put 2 words together. 3. difficulty with reciprocal social interactions (like playing peek-a-boo), little interest in other children 4. liking to have things a certain way, such as always eating the same food. Being quite particular about this and struggling with transitions. 5. repeating words or phrases (echolalia) Remember autism is a spectrum, this means that your child wouldn't necessarily have all of these things if they have autism. And may have many other symptoms not listed. But it also means if your child has one or two things, it does not mean they have autism necessarily. But as always, always see a doctor if you're concerned! Posted from @_familyphysician ⏸️ #autisme #autisticlife #autismoadulto #autisminspiration #autismspectrumdisorder #autie #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealth #asd #autisticburnout #latediagnosedautistic

Masking is camouflaging natural behaviors to conform to social pressures.❤️ Everyone does it sometimes, but neurodivergent people do it a lot more.❤️ Some neurodivergent people have masked so much, and for so long, that they struggle to know who they really are.❤️❤️ If you mask, do you consider yourself high, masking, or low masking?❤️❤️❤️ reposted from @toren.wolf * * * * * * * * 8️⃣ #autismoinfantil #autismcommunity #autismawarenessday #autismfamilies #autismfacts #autismfamiliessticktogether #autismday #autismawarenesseveryday #autismawareness💙 #autisticpride

I’ve always worried if Jude Tommy would ever make any friends. That their challenges with communication, their differences, would make it difficult to bond with other kids. I worried they’d be teased, bullied, made fun of. I worried they’d be isolated and left out. Luckily, some special people have come into our lives over the years who have shown me just how open minded, non-judgmental, and loving that other kids can be. People like Courtney, who loves spending time with him. Who tries to encourage Tommy to give her a piggy back without much luck 😅 And then decided she’d try to give him one instead which he was much happier to join in with 😍 So thank you Courtney, and all of the rest of Tommy’s friends for proving me wrong. And being there for my boy 🥹❤️ reposted from @storiesaboutautism #autism #nonverbalautism #autismdad #autismmom #autismparents 7️⃣ #autismlove #autisme #autismdad #autismparentingsupport #autismparentssupport #autismparentsrock #autismfitness #autisticpeople #actuallyautistic #autistickids

5 autistic traits that often get missed in childhood 🧠 Of course this video is not to be used as a diagnosis. It’s also important to acknowledge that autism can present in many different ways and not every autistic child/person with display the same traits and characteristics 🙏🏻..reposted from @tommalonejr 5️⃣ #autismo #autismoamor #autismwarrior #autismfamilysticktogether #autismfamilysupport #autismfamilystory #autismparentingmagazine #adhdwomen #adhdsupport #autisticmemes

For the PDA profile of autism, the survival control for autonomy (control) in the nervous system consistently overrides survival instincts/needs such as sleeping, eating, hygiene, etc. - Casey Elhrich ...Posted @speechdude 2️⃣ #autismawareness #autismawarenessmonth #autismspectrum #autismtattoo #autismdads #autismstars #autismmama #imWhatAutismLooksLike #StopAutismSpeaks #AutisticMemesForAutisticTeens

My son Cooper is 13 years old and he has a diagnosis of severe nonverbal autism. He is like no other person I have ever met on this earth. He beats to his own drum. He moves at his own pace. And his timeline is entirely his own. And that’s okay. The most important thing I can do as a parent is meet him where he is at. And celebrate him for who he is. . . . . Posted @findingcoopersvoice . . . ⏸️ #autisme #autisticlife #autismoadulto #autisminspiration #autismspectrumdisorder #autie #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealth #asd #autisticburnout #latediagnosedautistic #motherhood

I be chewing my cheeks like a roast dinner🌸 Posted @zsashalovescats 7️⃣ #autismlove #autisme #autismdad #autismparentingsupport #autismparentssupport #autismparentsrock #autismfitness #autisticpeople #actuallyautistic #autistickids

🙄This is incredibly well put. 💡Hiding who you are is an uncomfortable and exhausting experience. For many autistic people, that experience is a daily reality. 💡Where people feel they’re not understood or welcomed, people often feel the need to present or perform social behaviors that are considered neurotypical. Some people may also feel they have to hide neurodiverse behaviors in order to be accepted. 💡And the worst thing is, this behavior is not always intentional which can lead to confusion about a person’s identity. 💡Regardless of intentionality, masking can lead to serious mental health consequences, so it’s important to understand the behavior and its effects on people who regularly mask their neurodivergent behaviors....Posted @sensoryselfco / / / 6️⃣ #autismfamily #autismoamor #autismwarrior #autismfamilysticktogether #autismfamilysupport #autismfamilystory #autismparentingmagazine #autisticadults #autisticboy #autisticchildren

62! She gets so excited everytime she gets to stop at a railroad crossing and watch the train...Posted from @saranne_wrap She's . . . 4️⃣ #autismmom #autismparents #autismobr #autismopy #autismochile #autismfamily💙 #adhdmemes #adhdawareness #adhdproblems #autismfamilylife

How do you survive social situations?🤔 🩷This is common for so many. And in fact, this is a strategy to regulate yourself during overstimulating social situations. So don’t stop doing it! 🩵 Autistic people will need more social breaks to recharge their social batteries than that of someone who doesn’t have autism. 🩷 Social situations can be exhausting due to the high sensory input, like sound, visual and smell. It is also very tiring navigating, dynamic, and fast moving conversations. This will be especially exhausting if the person is making efforts to mask their autistic tendencies, such as not stimming, making eye contact and from just being hyper aware of themselves within the social interaction. 🩵 These social breaks are so important to support your well-being and prevent autistic burnout. Another good social strategy is regular toilet breaks. reposted @sensoryselfco 3️⃣ #autismacceptance #autismrocks #autismparent #autismmommy #autismonãotemcara #autismoitalia #autismheroawards #AutisticPride #AutisticAndProud #adhd

Raise your hand if you know the amazing feeling of seeing your child not only included at school but also excited about going ❤️🙋🏻‍♀️. There’s only one month of ESY in our district, but we’ll make the most of it! Posted from @theautismcafe - - - 2️⃣ #autismawareness #autismawarenessmonth #autismspectrum #autismtattoo #autismdads #autismstars #autismmama #imWhatAutismLooksLike #StopAutismSpeaks #AutisticMemesForAutisticTeens

Being autistic can feel like navigating a sea of swimming jellyfish. Everyday may feel like your trying to avoid the stings while swimming. Embracing neurodiversity means finding the strength to navigate these waters🌊.. Posted @lifeotspectrum 1️⃣ #autism #autismawarenessmonth #autismspectrum #autismoeinclusão #autismonãoédoença #autismacceptancemonth #autismproud #autismusspektrumstörung #AutismAwarenessAndAcceptance #AutismAcceptanceMonth

😷Anyone relate? This quote really stood out to me from @ whenlifebeginsat40 Masking is the hiding of one’s self by neurodivergent people. It is known by many names — camouflaging, compensating and adaptive morphing. But the motivation behind it is putting on “one’s best normal” to “fit in” so that they can avoid being pitied, patronised, babied, ostracised, hated on, harassed, or bullied for being different. 💡It’s been described as a “survival strategy”. 💡However, people don’t often realise they’re masking because, over time, they begin to believe their masked selves are who they truly are. This is especially true for those who got an autism diagnosis late in life. 💡Camouflaging can limit one’s understanding of their strengths, traits, comforts, and discomforts, even hamper their “ability to trust their instincts.” 💡“When you’re acting all the time, you tend to get confused between the character you’re playing and yourself.” 💡Constantly adapting to suit the social norm around you can massively impact your sense of self and who you are. - - - Posted @sensoryselfco - #autismidentity #autisminclusion #autismmasking #selfidentity #whoami #relatable #occupationaltherapy #senseofself #neuroaffirmative #latediagnosedautism

thought I was filming a cute video of him picking flowers from the crate Myrtle tree… 🤪...Posted with @peace_love_autism #autism #autismfamily #autismawareness #autismacceptance #inclusion #autismcommunity #neurodiversity #autismmom #autismadvocate #autismelites