A 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 moreCommunication Roadblocks
I’m not very good at communicating, especially with the people I’m close to, such as my friends and family. I spend so much time trying to find the right words that won’t hurt other people’s feelings that I often end up not saying anything. This leads me to “stuffing” my emotions and thoughts. Keeping in […]
Read moreWeekend Over the Campfire
With the weather finally getting warmer I thought it was probably a good idea for me to go out and move a bit more by taking part in activities other than the conferences and the public speeches I have attended this month for autism awareness. I wanted to get out and do more outside like […]
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 moreLessons from at Home Boredom
I have a fairly well-adjusted schedule but lately I haven’t been able to do much. Although I haven’t been doing much I still try to be active. Typically, in the colder months I stay at home and am unable to venture outside. However, I have been able to cope with some of this inactivity because I’ve found […]
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 moreDating Q&A with Dr. Melissa Brown
Q: I’m really nervous about dating, especially approaching someone for the first time. I have a hard time reading other people’s body language. Do other people not on the Autism Spectrum have similar experiences? A: Absolutely. Most people are quite nervous to introduce themselves to someone they are interested in. It is a natural human need […]
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 […]
Read moreSuper Bowl
A big social event is happening in February: the Super Bowl. While I’m not a football fan, I really enjoy watching the Super Bowl commercials. I never really understood what the big deal was for many years but I think I understand now. This annual game is important because it’s the culmination of many games […]
Read more2018: A Year in Review
A review of all the great blogs and activities from ASDNext over 2018.
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Curious Case of the Dog in the Nighttime Reading Review
So, there was a meeting that I had about 2 years ago that caused me to relate to the issues of Christopher Boone’s Character in Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. I have found it hard to discuss all the scenarios that went into the book. It’s about a young 15-year-old […]
Read moreHosting a Party
This December my parents hosted a Christmas party at the retirement home that my grandma lives in. Both of my uncles on my mom’s side were invited with their families along with my sister’s boyfriend. This was the first family reunion that we’d had in several years and we wanted to make sure it went well. In the […]
Read moreA Diagnosis Doesn’t Invalidate Your Opinion
Discussions are a part of life. Debates, arguments, even conversations, those are things that happen daily. You can learn a lot from them and others from you. Sometimes, people don’t have the best intentions. They may try to troll (harass) or even use your diagnosis against you. Those types of individuals can be challenging to […]
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