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Blogs
Ziggie
Becoming a Certified Peer Specialist
Years ago, when I was at my lowest dealing with anxiety and depression, I couldn’t imagine doing the things I am now. An autism diagnosis came later in life as well after a doctor noticed that the current medication regimen wasn’t panning out and referred me to get tested for ASD, rather than just try […]
Read moreInsincere Reconciliation
The word forgiveness can instill a lot of emotions. From pain and trauma to perhaps a reconciliation with one who has hurt you or a quiet forgiveness that you only offer to yourself. Apologies can meld a wound closed if a person is truly sorry and pledges not repeat a harmful action. On the other […]
Read moreInfo Inspecting
A situation I’m going to outline is something that more often than not is all too common. You log on to your favorite social media site and are greeted with a news story that sounds incredulous or presents information that you know is fabricated as truth. We’ve all seen circumstances like this, but it’s also […]
Read moreNature’s Bounty
My father taught me a lot of things growing up. What he instilled in me was valuing and appreciating nature. An interest in wildlife. Knowledge of plants, including being able to identify common poisonous ones. Marine life as well, even though I don’t share his love of fishing, we bonded over films like Free Willy […]
Read moreWork Balance
I’m not really the type to give myself a pat on the back. I’m always trying and pushing forward because I sometimes think my only value is what I can contribute. That isn’t a great mindset to have because it puts an undue mental and physical strain on a person. Being able to take a […]
Read moreLooking Forward
Autism Awareness Month is a time when a necessary spotlight is shown on a particular but wide-ranging spectrum of neurodivergence. The narrative regarding autism has come a long way. I can recall my first instance hearing about autism in mainstream media and it was from a celebrity mom who partnered with a now disgraced and […]
Read moreA Value to Video Games
Video games were a big part of my childhood growing up. My interest in gaming started when my Father brought out his old Atari console and even though I was a little too young to fully understand the game, I was fixated on trying to play. The game that I played was called ‘Freeway’ but […]
Read moreBlack History and Disability – Roland Johnson
February is Black History Month. It’s the time of year when the United States of America remembers the plight of enslaved Africans and their African American descendants. Historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Rosetta Tharpe, George Washington Carver, Madam C. J. Walker and Harriet Tubman are all notable for their robust accomplishments […]
Read moreCommunications
When it comes to understanding means of communication, I think autistics like myself are more likely to be empathic towards others. We are more likely to be empathetic because our means of communicating are not always respected. So we put forth an effort to understand others who have similar or different communication difficulties and needs. […]
Read moreFinding the Right Air Purifier & How I Benefited From Using One
When I first started browsing air purifiers, one thing that I noticed right away were companies advertising their certifications for their product. While reading through a few of those, nothing stuck out and made sense to me because I’ve never heard of the certificates. I wondered if there was a single regulatory body that checks […]
Read moreAddressing Social Stereotypes of Aspies
This month I had the opportunity and privilege to be featured in ASERT’s June Newsletter. In that article, I highlight some of the processes to become a Certifed Peer Specialist (CPS). I’ve also written about becoming a CPS in a previous blog post for ASDNext. With all that said, I want to discuss social stereotypes […]
Read moreA Healthier Me
As someone who was always thin, I never was one to focus on what I ate. My parents begged me to eat more because as they said it, “I was just skin and bones.” Growing up and going through the trials and tribulations of life, I put on weight. It was good to put on […]
Read moreLeadership: How I Became a Committee Chairman
When I think of a leader, I think of someone who is strong-willed, outgoing and a great listener — someone who can captivate an audience and draw attention to important issues. Are those qualities something that I see in myself? Not growing up, but today, as someone who is the current chairman, and youngest ever […]
Read moreSwitching to a Smartphone
Phones have gone through an evolution over the years. As a young kid, I remember chatting with friends via a phone tethered with a cord and my mother picking up another receiver in the house telling me she had to make a phone call. Things like cell phones were expensive back then and bulky, so […]
Read moreBlack History and Autism – MMA Fighter John “Doomsday” Howard
Black History Month is a time where we recognize the contributions of African Americans in American history. I once wrote about Roland Johnson, a former patient of the infamous Pennhurst state hospital and how he became of a proponent for disability rights to ensure that those with disabilities would be able to reside and stay […]
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