Jackie McMillan

January 23, 2024
Fossilized Nautilus Shell Spiral

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
Maori Statues of Parent and Child

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 […]
October 20, 2017

Interventions: Autism Care Farms for Housing, Events, and Therapy

In Britain and the US, there are growing numbers of “Care Farms”.  These are different from farms with therapeutic animals, in that care farms provide: Housing, farm work, small business employment, and other supports for adults with disabilities which offer quality of life well beyond what’s usually available in urban supported housing. […]
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 […]
September 4, 2017

Calm Autism Stress With Sensory Meditation

Walking to and from my inner-city, bully-dominated, and sensory-nightmare grade school, about ¼ of my route was shaded by magnificent trees. These trees were so tall and broad that they mostly over-arched the entire width of the street. When I walked under them, I felt like I was in the […]
January 3, 2017

What Happens When Autism Inflammation Stops?

Inflammation seems to be at the root of most (over 85%) of human ills.  Obesity.  Heart Disease.  Dementia.  Migraines.  Psoriasis.  Thyroid Problems.  Cancers.  Lupus.  Allergies.  ADHD.  Chronic pain.  And much, much more. Try doing a web browser search on the health issue that bothers you the most, alongside the word […]
January 2, 2017
photo of an abandoned storefront

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 […]
September 7, 2016

Range of Tolerance: Why Autism Rates Double Every 10 Years

Since the first world war (WWI), autism rates for new primary school students have been roughly doubling every ten years (click here to see one of many similar graphs available online from around the world). We know from records that behaviours and attributes we now call autistic have been recognized […]