The Pink Easel

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The Pink Easel Coach to neurocolorful humans who want to live shame-free | Psychological Safety Trainer

This is Llama. Her name was Luna, but she isn't quite fancy enough for that... And she looks like a llama so...I recentl...
30/06/2024

This is Llama. Her name was Luna, but she isn't quite fancy enough for that... And she looks like a llama so...

I recently read that research is showing Autistic people as preferring interactions with animals over humans.

Seems legit 🤣



I'm purposefully excluding a large part of the Autism community in my research.I will include Autistic people who repres...
04/03/2024

I'm purposefully excluding a large part of the Autism community in my research.

I will include Autistic people who represent the 'typical' diagnosis of Autism (as stated by DSM-5) and are formally diagnosed.

I will NOT include Autistic people who

- experience autism in ways that doesn't match the dx version

- are very good at masking and coping, therefore they are now later in life and wouldn't really be served by a formal dx

- don't have access to healthcare

- are treated by a doctor who has an outdated and misinformed understanding of autism

- are treated by a doctor who doesn't believe their patients' ability to recognize their own challenges

- is part of a historically marginalized community who struggles with systemic obstacles in healthcare

- doesn't have the money to fund the formal dx process

TLDR: Any Autistic person who is not formally diagnosed ⬆️

This is a point of extreme contention and frustration that I have argued with my professor about at length.

Here's the annoying truth:

The focus of my research is arguing the ethical requirements of advertisers to consider Autistic consumers in their practices.

This is a relatively new topic in research and I want to get it published so we can continue to build on it.

Formal autism diagnosis are accepted by the academic community, while self-dx are not.

Using self-dx Autistics in my research would make it harder to publish because of the 'self-dx is not valid' argument.

My long term solution is to continue working alongside others to argue the need to include self-dx Autistics in research - otherwise we're not getting the full picture.

My short term solution is to work within the constraints I'm given - and throwing fits along the way.




Charlie Bear went on her first camping trip in 3 years and had the best weekend. ❤️🐾

What did you do this weekend?

My professor listed the rules for the use of AI in our class - essentially, don't do it. I raised my hand and asked how ...
28/01/2024

My professor listed the rules for the use of AI in our class - essentially, don't do it.

I raised my hand and asked how this rule applied to digital accessibility tools and accommodations built in AI.

While I was asking specifically for me in that moment, because...panic.

Looking back, there wasn't a solid answer for that.

The departments guidelines were pretty much not to use it.

That critical thinking is built outside of AI and that's why we're in a grad program.

As an AuDHD person who uses AI as part of my accommodations a lot,

I would argue that, especially in education, rules around AI should be created with accessibility in mind.


I complete my PhD application, Charlie gets a treat.
25/01/2024

I complete my PhD application, Charlie gets a treat.


I live in constant anxiety about time. The allistic world revolves around time, dates, deadlines....These things are wor...
23/01/2024

I live in constant anxiety about time.

The allistic world revolves around time, dates, deadlines....

These things are worshiped - maybe you've noticed.....

I, an AuDHD human, do *not* experience time the way someone who is not Autistic or not ADHD does.

So much so that it's hard for me to explain how time feels in comparison to how they might experience it - because I can't conceive it.

Much like they can't conceive my experience.

I have the timers, the calendar reminders, the Slack automations, etc.

but none of these things will change my neurotype. It is what it is.

I exist in a constant state of anxiety trying to make myself understand and conform to a version of time I just can't wrap my head around.

Maybe it's time for a two way street.


I opened the truancy notice email. I deleted the truancy notice email. I am very clear with the attendance officer at my...
20/01/2024

I opened the truancy notice email.

I deleted the truancy notice email.

I am very clear with the attendance officer at my daughter's school.

See sends me the emails saying that we've used 5 of the 6 'unexcused' absences

and we need to prove the absences are 'valid' (i.e., provide a doctor's note) or they will continue to count against us.

I send her the response with my practiced and pretty worn-out statement telling her that I understand their policy,

but a doctor is not the support my daughter needs on her sick days. Therefore, we will not be able to prove her state of well-being according to your standards.

She says, "Thanks for letting me know" and we do it all again next time 😅🙄

Pretty sure I don't need to describe here the problems of that structure of absence validation and the gaping supporr holes it leaves for the disabled community.

Oh, and does truancy end up taking you to court? 👩‍⚖️ Asking for a friend....

(I mean - at least truancy is no longer a criminal offense 🤷‍♀️)


Relistening to this fav. What are you reading right now?
22/12/2023

Relistening to this fav. What are you reading right now?


Y'all. Today is the day 😳 Thesis proposal defense to the committee and Chair at 10am (I will finally know if my 6 months...
14/12/2023

Y'all. Today is the day 😳

Thesis proposal defense to the committee and Chair at 10am (I will finally know if my 6 months of research and argument development is approved/what changes need to be made to start quantitative research in Feb.),

then submission of my thesis abstract to The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Midwinter Conference (if accepted, I get to argue my thesis at the University of Oklahoma in March),

then 15 min presentation of social insights data and query structure for my Social Insights final,

then submission of 10 page final research paper for Global Comm

then, I will be curled into a little ball of tired and happy under my desk if you need me...


When you're arguing for the 'should' of equitable access to and participation in the marketplace for the disability comm...
30/11/2023

When you're arguing for the 'should' of equitable access to and participation in the marketplace for the disability community,

starting with advertising ethics,

sometimes you need extra blemish dots the same color as the gallons of coffee you're drinking to keep making progress. 🖤☕

Who is getting on Zoom with me to let me talk thesis to you so I can finish this proposal by like...yesterday 🫢😅

Send help.


What if this place could decrease early death in neurodivergent communities?Think neuro-inclusive community center, book...
21/11/2023

What if this place could decrease early death in neurodivergent communities?

Think neuro-inclusive community center, bookshop, artist's corner....

A safe place to share your creativity, be in community with others, learn about being a neurodivergent entrepreneur....

😍😍😍

I'm working to build this space not only online, but irl.

Did you know safe community decreases su!cide in neurodivergent humans by almost 30%?

Did you know creating your passion/business and sharing can decrease su!cide in neurodivergent humans by almost 20%?

So, whoever is in for $1,500/mo, I found the perfect space 😉🙃

My DMs are open just in case... 😅🫣

💙💙
17/11/2023

💙💙

9 minutes and the passing of my grandmother is currently what is tanking my grade. There isn't anything I can do about i...
06/11/2023

9 minutes and the passing of my grandmother is currently what is tanking my grade.

There isn't anything I can do about it.

I did finally submit my grandmother's obituary (again) as 'required documentation for an excused absence',

which I am finding to be re-traumatizing, morbid, and, honestly, completely ridiculous.

But, I digress.

Let's talk about the 9 minutes.

According to the participation rubric, if I am 3 minutes late the highest grade I can receive for the entire 3 hour class is a 60%.

I'd like to preemptively recognize and set aside the outdated arguments saying things like

'Tardiness proclaims to the world that you don't know how, or don't want to manage your time'

'Punctuality makes you look good, it means you plan for contingencies'

'Tardiness shows ineptitude, punctuality shows intelligence'

'Being late is rude. It's tell the people around you their time isn't as important as yours'

I won't engage in all the ways these are problematic, I think most of you are pretty aware.

Moving on...

I have a service animal named Charlie Bear.

I am Autistic.

I have ADHD.

None of these are excuses.

All of these are things that make those 3 minutes a little different for people who experience the world similar to me

than for people who experience the world in a more neurotypical way.

I would argue that it's a responsibility of our existence to do our best to recognize and attempt to understand that others experience the world vastly differently than we might

and just maybe those 3 minutes aren't me telling you that my time is more important than yours,

rather,

my service animal had an unexpected p**p and I forgot her p**p bag pouch was empty so I had to go back to the car to find one and then back to pick up her p**p while worrying that someone thinks I am leaving her p**p there like a terrible service animal handler and now they hate me.

Or, ya know, a myriad of other issues that come with executive functioning limitations, aggressive anxiety, and PTSD. 😅😳

Anyway...thank you for coming to my TED talk.




Hi 👋 I'm Chelsea and I have no idea what I'm doing. I ask questions when the answer is obvious (to you...). My work styl...
06/11/2023

Hi 👋 I'm Chelsea and I have no idea what I'm doing.

I ask questions when the answer is obvious (to you...).

My work style looks a lot different (and sometimes I can't clearly communicate how I/what I need to work).

I play with fidgets at my standing desk and don't stay still.

⬆️ These experiences aren't new to me,

so I accommodated/powered my way through them and started coaching and consulting in 2020.

👏 I did the 'right' things:

Hired a business coach

Used the perfect marketing tactics

Wrote copy touting all the amazing things you would get when working with me

*insert more generalized marketing advice here*

And I hated it. 🚫

More than just hated it, I ended up completely shutting down without really knowing why.

Fast forward and I started my grad degree in Strategic Communication while continuing to play with and evolve how I wanted to show up online.

I tried to find someone who does similar things with similar values to model my next steps after.

Everything led to more shut down.

TLDR:

- Putting the 'Click here to change your life' button on the top of the page without disclosing price = 🤮

- Sharing only the reviews of the people who had the most spectacular results without also showing typical experiences = 🤮

- Saying things like, "This works for anyone!" with no regard for the disabled or ND human reading your copy = 🤮

- Marketing to the neurodivergent and/or disabled community without intentionally building safeguards for their success = 🤮

- Saying you have 'the secret to ______ and you can only achieve this life changing thing by working with me/buying this course" and then charging thousands of dollars = 🤮

I have no idea what I'm doing because I have no interest in:

Pushing people's pain points, then setting myself as the only solution

Pretending I have the ability to effectively deliver my services to 'anyone who is ready and willing to change their life"

*insert more 🤮 here*

I am making intentional choices to engage in marketing/sales in an accessible, clear, & non-predatory way.

and I am (obsessively) devoted to continuing to make up the type of marketing and sales I believe ND/disabled humans deserve.

I don't want to die, but I don't want to live.I've made this statement too many times - including earlier this week. Som...
05/11/2023

I don't want to die, but I don't want to live.

I've made this statement too many times - including earlier this week.

Sometimes the feeling that no one could ever understand what you're feeling,

because you're the only person who feels it this way,

or because you feel like you'll never be able to communicate your experience in a way that makes sense to anyone else,

(...because sometimes it doesn't even make sense to you)

is completely overwhelming and pushes you into a terrifying darkness of thought.

There is one thing that is guaranteed to move me out of that space a little bit at a time

and it's someone who hears me, knows my experience, and validates me.

That somebody has been many people in my life - especially showing up in the past 2ish years.

My intention is to be that person to as many people as possible,

sometimes in big ways and sometimes in tiny ones.

One tiny way I do this is at art markets on the weekends.

The pins, stickers, and art we fill our booth with is always supportive, but the best part is our vending machine of affirmations.

Each person who comes to our table gets a quarter for the machine

and we get to see them read one of the validations we've written and put into the little capsule.

Maybe that glitter-filled capsule will give them just one moment of feeling heard, that they aren't alone in their experience, and validation.



Looking at the picture of me standing outside the pop up I created specifically to tell people they are beautiful and th...
04/11/2023

Looking at the picture of me standing outside the pop up I created specifically to tell people they are beautiful and their experience is valid,

all I can think of is all the things I don't like about how I look in this picture.

I immediately think of how my mom would see me.

How the people who knew me a couple years ago might look at me now.

All the things I 'need' to change about my body.

Why is it so easy to (aggressively) tell other humans how amazing they are

while simultaneously wanting to change and disliking so much about yourself?

I don't have an answer for that,

But I know I plan to continue showing up to tell others how lovely they are.... and working on how I love myself.



Monday morning & I've already aggressively told my psychiatrist that I hate ADHD.No, really. HATE.It's not my superpower...
30/10/2023

Monday morning & I've already aggressively told my psychiatrist that I hate ADHD.

No, really. HATE.

It's not my superpower

(and I'm on the 'that's a pretty toxic thing to say' side of that convo)

Sometimes the support structures I've created in my daily life allow me to use my ADHD experience to do cool things specific to my neurotype,

other times I can't control what I focus on, can't start the task, try to slow my running thoughts, and other fun ADHD-bits.

The way I engage with work and school will never be the typical experience.

That's OK,

but it's not a superpower.



I recognize you were absent for your grandmother's passing. I've given you a 🚫0%🚫 for class participation.I'm sorry for ...
29/10/2023

I recognize you were absent for your grandmother's passing. I've given you a 🚫0%🚫 for class participation.

I'm sorry for your loss.

🫣 Experiences as a grad student you can't make up.

I've been told there is nothing I can do to resolve this

(even though the school had me turn in my grandmother's obituary and I had to get a signed letter from the hospital that I was there visiting her)

(even though it's significantly impacting my grade)

I don't really have a moral of the story or a good ending...

but I did get my book in from victimfocus resources and I'm pretty excited about that.



Happy Friday!..except the people gatekeeping ADHD and/or Autism diagnosis by saying that self-realization isn't legit by...
27/10/2023

Happy Friday!
..except the people gatekeeping ADHD and/or Autism diagnosis by saying that self-realization isn't legit by not validating the extreme inequity that exists in

access to diagnosis

impact of diagnosis

support of diagnosis

biases in diagnostic methods.

So yea, Happy Friday.


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Not that the other things he says are not problematic 😅 but this is continuing a narrative that doesn't provide the context and support for parents who might be deciding about medication for their child. A. There are too many confounding variables for this to be said as if it applies to *every* ADHD male. B. Correlation is not causation. C. Medication is a tool. It's neutral - not 'bad'. #adhd #adhdmedication #adhdinboys #adhdparent #medicationfree #adhdsupport

To all my friends feeling like your disabilities are always overshadowing your loveliness and abilities - I see you. #ActuallyAutistic #AutisticAdult #gradschool

Anyone? ANYONE??? Please tell me you feel this too... #AutisticAdult #autisticcommunication #AutisticProblems #autisticwomen #workplaceculture

What if trying not to be a 'burden' on someone is kinda like taking away their opportunity to support you because they love you and supporting you is an expression of that? #autisticwomen #ActuallyAutistic #AutisticAdult

Stimming with music is probably the most 'helpful' stim I have. I find a song the feels good in my brain (again, it's just science...don't ask) and put it on repeat. I choose the same song over and over because I know what's coming that way. My brain doesn't have to try to figure out the pattern or guess what's next. The song fills in the background noise of my thoughts and helps me focus. Anyone else?? #ActuallyAutistic #AutisticAdult #autisticcommunication #stimmingisnormal #stimmingisbeautiful #stimmingpositivity #autisticcreator

✨️Pop Up Workshop about creating safe and functional spaces for neurocolorful humans✨️ Registration link on my page 🥳 #actuallyautistic #autisticadult #latediagnosedautistic #adhdfamily #adhdinwomen #divergentdesign

✨️Pop-Up Workshop!! Let's create spaces that aren't just neurocorful friendly, but neurocolorful empowering. What if you had a space where it was safe to explore, create, and express? Link to register on my page!! #dopaminedesign #neurodivergentdesign #safespaces #actuallyautistic #autisticadult #latediagnosedautistic #adhd #adhdadult #adhdfamily #adhdhome

Nothing apparently matters when you're living in 'fornication'. Safety? Meaningless. Beautiful experiences? Nope. Self-Expression? Worthless. Eh well. Guess I'll just take my rebel self into the next beautiful part of my life anyway 🤷‍♀️ #religuoustrauma #autistictraumawork #actuallyautistic #autisticburnout #exvangelical #unmaskingautism #latediagnosed #dopaminedesign

Where sarcasm and a bit of 'I have no more f*cks to give' collide. #exfundie #ActuallyAutistic #shinyhappypeople #UnmaskingAutism #autistictraumawork

EXCEPT this time I did the WHOLE DURN PLAN and launched The Autacity Course yesterday 🥹🙏😏 I'm so frickin excited. #ActuallyAutistic #audhd #planningwithadhd #planningwithaudhd #autisticadult #autistictraumawork

Someone on Tiktok said the part where I laughed like Stitch was the best part. 😅 I didn't realize it, but now I can't unhear it. #UnmaskingAutism #weightedstuffedanimals #weightedstuffedanimalsforadults #weightedstuffedanimalsforanxiety #weightedstuffedplushie #actuallyautistic #latediagnosedautistic

All these things should've been said to you soooo much sooner. Let's throw as much encouragement around as we can. Join the text club at @chelsea.empowers #ActuallyAutistic #autisticadults #autistictraumarecovery #autismsupport #AuDHD #audhdwoman #impostersyndrome

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