Understanding Autism

January 23, 2024

Autism, Anthropomorphism, and the God in All Things

A friend recently shared a PubMed article with me that left me bemused. We’ve got another example of the old, reductionist, Cartesian model of science coming up against the realities of quantum physics and the relationships among all matter and energy — including things like living beings, vehicles, mugs, dust […]

January 13, 2021

Autism and the Good Enough Mum

Nearly every autism parent I connect with, at conferences, at talks, and online, has this sneaking fear. And sometimes the fear isn’t very far in the background. This niggling, nasty, voice says things like: I did something wrong I must have made some mistake(s) I am the problem because my […]

April 25, 2020

Autism, Immune Vulnerability, and COVID-19

Before you read this, I’m going to remind you of my disclaimer (there’s a link to it in the footer of every web page). Do your own homework, and consult holistic health professionals if you want to rebuild and restore your health… don’t just take my word for ANYTHING! Given […]

September 30, 2017

The Five Root Causes of Autism Challenges

You’ve possibly noticed just how different each autistic person is. The kinds of therapies and treatments most suited to helping each one of us are almost as diverse as we are. But the lifestyle changes that address our underlying health challenges are ALL the SAME! How can this be? Autistics […]

January 2, 2017

Autism and RIP for Toronto’s ABC Sports Store

What on earth could mourning the many-years-ago passing of a sports store have to do with autism? Bear with me. There are a bunch of factors. But they essentially amount to: The way we design, use, and either maintain or replace our gear has an impact on autism. The way […]

December 10, 2014

How Do You Tell Someone About Their Autism?

These responses are from an interview about how I discovered I was autistic. I wrote the answers down for you, because I think this interview touches on something raw for us. Is autism a disability? Is it a label that will damage people’s chances? Certainly, I know adults who have […]

October 20, 2014

Work Challenges for Autistics

Autistics have some real advantages over the rest of the population when it comes to things like pattern recognition, and problem-solving. However, we have real difficulty entering the job market, sustaining our employment, or creating our own work as entrepreneurs. Last week, a fellow from a local technical-business incubator spoke […]

October 8, 2014

What Does Feminine Mean, When You’re Autistic?

Having grown up here in North America, I’ve never felt particularly feminine. In our culture, it means you’re supposed to: like pink (nothing against it, but it’s not my colour) speak cryptically (so the powerful males don’t shut you down) engage in mystifying, toxic and painful practices to “look right” […]

March 24, 2014

Female and Autistic: Masked

When you’re studying people with ASDs from an insider’s perspective, two things become obvious demographically, very quickly. Less than 1/4 of autistic females are diagnosed and given support before age 18. There are no services or supports funded for adults over 18. Add the western medical bias of assuming that […]