Penny is an artist who uses her creative side and imagination to express herself. She’s now using this opportunity with ASDNext to not only do that through art, but also blogging. For much of her life, she felt like the “quirky sidekick” stereotype in a movie, always doing what others expected of her. When she was diagnosed with autism later in life, that all began to change. This news was life changing and she knew it was time to rewrite her story. She’s no longer on the sidelines of this so-called movie that is her life, she’s the director, leading-lady, or whatever other part she needs to play to figure out who she REALLY is! Every small step toward authenticity is now a victory for her in this new stage of life.
View all postsBeing a Part of the Autism Community
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As April marks Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, each ASDNext blogger was tasked with reflecting on “How has being a part of the autism community impacted you?” People on the autism spectrum have diverse needs and abilities. Even though I don’t require as much assistance as some other folks on the spectrum, I’m still proud to be a member of this fantastic community. It has brought so much positivity to my life. I have made new connections, received incredible support, and learned to appreciate my uniqueness and that of others.
Before I was diagnosed with Autism, I always felt like I was a bit different. My way of processing information and sensitivity to the world around me never quite matched those of my peers. When it came to socializing and emotions, I often felt like I didn’t quite fit in. However, once I received my diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), everything seemed to make so much more sense. There was no sense of doom, but instead, acceptance. Self-acceptance aside, I longed to connect with others who shared my experience. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and start looking for social groups for autistic adults in my area.
Luckily, I found two groups with regular meetings for adults with Autism. The meetings were so laid-back and informal that I felt comfortable attending, even if I didn’t have much to say. The support and understanding I receive from my connections with members of the autism community relieve me from constantly feeling judged or misunderstood. I am granted more grace for being late or canceling plans when things become too overwhelming in my personal life, and little explanation is necessary. Our groups even go on the occasional adventure when we have the time and funding. We have visited the Baltimore Aquarium, toured local factories, attended specialized community events, neighborhood festivals, and much more. When we come together, we become stronger and can help each other overcome shared limitations. We recognize the beauty in our shared experiences, and it becomes a harmonious journey rather than an uphill battle.
Through attending events and consistently showing up, I formed some great friendships within the community. I feel safe and relaxed with my friends from these groups. My neurotypical friends are great, but sometimes, it’s exhausting to keep up with their energy levels and every social norm that comes so naturally to them. My friends from the local neurodiverse community are just a text message away, and we are always available to listen to each other whenever one of us needs to vent, rant, cheer, or jeer. Outside of our groups, we try to hang out at least once a month to watch movies, play games, or grab coffee. Although we don’t always get along and sometimes miss social cues in our conversations, we force ourselves to understand that it’s part of life to have ups and downs in any relationship.
The most significant and recent impact the autism community has had on my life is this fantastic opportunity to write blogs for ASDNext. As someone on the autism spectrum, my goal is to use this platform to share my personal experiences. Although I am not an expert on anything other than my own life, I hope my writing can raise awareness about Autism and the lifestyle of an autistic adult. Additionally, I hope all individuals who take the time to read my blogs can take a step back and be kind to everyone they encounter. Our journeys are only sometimes visible, and we all carry them in our own way.
Being a part of the autism community has had nothing but a positive impact on my life. Being a part of the autism community means so much to me. I am grateful for the connections, support, and opportunities it has provided me. The autism spectrum is vast, and not everyone on it is the same. Based on my experience, the autism community values your accomplishments more than any errors you might have made. We are a community that may not share the same interests or journeys, but we choose to celebrate uniqueness rather than conformity. I value and cherish my place here as I reflect on and celebrate this year’s “Awareness and Acceptance Month.”
Penny
