jjrichards

[jjrichards]

I am super excited to bring you my new business, Kitten Kitten Mittens Company! I take baby/infant mittens and turn them into animals from favorite animal books...and they’re hand embroidered by me!

[jjrichards]

I'm an advocate for mental health. So what is different from autism and mental illness? And should any symptom of Autism spectrum be treated as a mental illness? I tend to disagree slightly with this resolution. In order to treat it properly, we have to be educated on it. There once was a fine line between ASD and those with Autism, but now it is so broad, hence we called it a ”spectrum” disorder.

So firstly, we must classify ASD as a developmental disorder, as it alters communication and behavior. But although it can be diagnosed at any age, although symptoms appear within two years of life.

The Diagnostic of Mental Disorders used to diagnose ASD as a mental illness, but why? There are key features observed with Autism/Asberger’s:

Difficulty communicating and interacting with others.

Having only a scope of particular interests and others’ observation of apparent repetitive behaviors.

Symptoms that are a detriment to one’s ability to perform well in the school, work, and other environments and social events in life.

In the Autism spectrum lies different variations of the type and severity of the disorder, and it spans all ethnic, racial and even socioeconomic entities. It knows no bounds. ASD is a lifelong disorder, but there are treatments/and or services that can alleviate some of it's symptoms and ability to gain function, and social/life skills.

American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that all children be scanned for the spectrum disorder, and cardgivers/ and or parents should initiate a conversation with the child’s pediatrician for screening and perform an evaluation every child as not every child will exhibit all symptoms, but all will have similar symptoms.

The most common symptoms are Social communication / interaction-related behaviors and may include:

Lack of spontaneous eye contact.

An absence of looking at or reacting to people when called upon in response.

Lack of interests in things or objects.

Difficulty with holding a back and forth, even in a simple conversation.

Having an unusual tone of voice that may sound sing-song or flat and robot-like.

Speaking over people when talking about their own interests while not noticing others’ boredom, or interrupting a conversation without hearing others’ rebuttal.

Similar to pschosis, one may possess or execute inappropriate behaviors or expressions from what is being said.

Having difficulty understanding or having empathy and others’ behavioral social cues, or having trouble reading others’ intent.

Repetitive b ehaviors may include:

Echolalia, which is a verbal repetition of speech while repeating words or phrases out loud.

Has a list of intensified interests like numbers, facts, details, and even exuberant hobbies.

Intense interest or focus of moving parts or objects.

Inflexibility of a break in a routine, and severe anxiety in any small changes in that routine, the person may begin to become upset at any interruption.

Being overstimulated (stimming) or underestimated at sensory factors, like light, noise, clothing and any other external discomforts in one's environment.

A person with ASD may have difficulty sleeping and have trouble staying asleep intermittently. Most suffer from irritability, although there are many strengths to Asberger’s, such as:

Learning well, and the propensity to remember details for long-term periods.

Strength in visual and auditory learning.

Scoring above in math, science, art, and music while other areas lagging.

So how is Aspergers or ASD treated?

Most would agree ASD should not be cured, however, therapy and coping mechanisms that are healthy and soothing to the individual. Treatment must begin after diagnosis, as earlier the diagnosis, the earlier the intervention. One must be patient and willing to help the patient to reduce difficulties of everyday life, as well as teaching them new skills and improve their strengths.

Not all ASD diagnoses must be treated the same, as it is individualistic in nature. On the other hand, one must be advised by a medical doctor or professional in health to find the right care/program to treat those with Asperger’s patient better and more customized to their needs.

Medication is not the only answer to curing any mental illness or autism, but it does alleviate a lot of the symptoms, as the imbalance calls for and can help with:

Irritability

Aggression

Repetitive behavior

Hyperactivity

Attention problems

Anxiety and depression

But much like ADHD is uncanny to Asperger’s it can be hard to diagnose in adulthood. But behavioural, cognitive, and group therapy has proven effective as well. Enrolling with a doctor who specializes in behavioural and psychological innovations may be an advisor who can deliver the best care possible and have their patient find better quality of life and obtain their own life skills for a brighter prognosis.

The therapy involves parents, siblings, and/or other members of their family. These programs help with:

Learning life skills to live independently.

Alleviate challenges and behavioural difficulties.

Add to strengths.

Learn and improve language skills and communication social situations.

So, personally, being diagnosed on the Spectrum myself, I find that my diagnosis brought closer to me and my family, although my own mother couldn't come to terms with it. It is different in girls, and harder to detect than in boys. I got diagnosed earlier this year, and I'm 28 years old! But in the 90s Asbergers wasn't prevalent, not even a real form of Autism yet. I don't blame my teachers or mother for not sensing it, even though I felt different from others since I knew what different was! But I also know that there were signs, looking back on some of the common symptoms. But it brings a calm sense of security to know why exactly I am so different...so much so,

I am writing a book about it, called, In a World of My Own! I can't wait to see what impact it has in the Spectrum community, and I hope it sheds some light, that it's okay to be different, and in fact, it can take you very far.

Thank you.

[jjrichards]

My new small business...is. This. A. Thing. Now??? YEAH!!! Each order comes with a phrase or urbanism...

[jjrichards]

Growing up, I greatly admired Oprah. I mean, come on, she's an entrepreneur, motivator, philanthropist, talk-show host! August 2020, I wanted Oprah to grace the cover of my magazine, RIX (now titled: Women X) because she is my all-time hero. I admire her strength, her beauty and keen advice. She is a brilliant women who knows what she wants and has overcome much adversity, being in the minority two-fold. I hope I can tell her story in this edition and let those struggling that black lives really DO matter. I also interviewed a dear friend of mine, who is an activist, motivational speaker, and author: Danielle Janette Brazant to compliment the special edition! Also, I executed a tribute to George Floyd and his unjustified death. #blacklivesdomatter!

[jjrichards]

If there's anybody who knows about being a successful mom, wife and business woman, and entrepreneur is Olympic gymnast, Shawn Johnson East! My book, selling on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, profiles the woman of grace in, ”Shawn Johnson: A Biography of an Olympic Golden Girl, ” by me (Jenna J. Richardson). She will be featured in the September edition 2020 of Women X Magazine, a local, independent magazine created and edited by me...tell me who you want featured on the magazine for the next cover (October) *Hint, hint: must be a woman and tell me how they are impacting the world. Could be average, or famous!

[jjrichards]

The Theory of Positivity by me, J.J. Richards

That One Negative person: We’ve all been there before, that someone tripping you

down the stairs; talking you down like you are a five year old;

bullying, threatening you; the one in the corner of the room

tthat is plotting a way to make your life hell; or maybe the P

worry-wort that thinks nothing is fun or kind.

These people are everywhere; anywhere there may be a

problem, situation, setting…everywhere. In fact, you cannot

avoid negativity; and it is everywhere.

Thoughts are intrusive, reinforcing, negative or positive;

the key is how you listen to these voices in your head once an

for all, and not let the bad thoughts take control of your mind.

Gossip, hate, negativity all can hold you down, but you need to

rise like the great Phoenix from all the bull-shit.

Fear, disgust, greed, anxiety. These are all things that

breed negativity. We all know what negativity is and can

identify, relate to it.

We just need to learn to deal with it.

As unavoidable as it is, we must face it. Turn negativity

into a positivity, like you would in chemistry with an atom; give

or take a few molecules, protons, electrons, etc. Negativity

breeds negativity and it’s a black hole you find hard to get out

of it, like sinking sand. But do not despair! I hope these

scenarios and advice will help you as my reader to overcome

negativity and deal with it healthfully. To quote:

“Whatever is going to happen will happen, whether we worry or not.” – Anna Monn

Procrastinators, gotta love ‘em, huh?

There were some of my fellow peers in college, whom

would put of a major project at the last minute. When

the time came for them to perform or execute the long-

awaited project however (sometimes incomplete) they would

come up with a million excuses as to why they did not have it

done. Typical elementary bullshit.

Being an A student myself, I thought this unproductive. I

am that alpha type A student who always does their work the

first week it was assigned, so yeah, I can be a little frustrated at

this.

As if stealing my bad-ass brains and time was, I always had

my part of the project done, and then some. Making sure their

input of the project was done, was rather exhausting in itself.

but like the legend of Sisyphus, I keep rolling that stone up the

hill, for ever and ever…

You can imaging what I feel after that.

But, isn’t that something negative too, though? See, my

thinking ‘hey! We are given this project, let me do it all!’ Yes,

the answer is well, ‘yes!’ Being a worrisome person is negative

in-deed! To change my mindset, I learned to say to myself that

I can only take care of my half—no more, no less.

Everyone in my assigned research group were all like,

‘calm down, we have at least two weeks to get this project

done!’ But I didn’t fall easily to this, which was the hardest

part for me. You could call me anal retentive, but I am! It

created a lot of stress and pressure, especially for me, but it

did free-up sometime for other important things as well

though (which was one positive thing, at least).

So why did I put all that unnecessary stress upon myself?

Well, I turned a negative into positive: I was taking one for the

team again and making it work, setting my peers up for

success! I did it out of love, out of attentive care. The drive to

succeed.

That was my M.O.

Congrats, we got that A…

Yet, alas! They were negative persons too. They believed

that by slacking on the project, the more I would have to

do, and they all knew this. And, it wasn’t fair! So the

project idea bred negativity, which my peers created more

negativity from that, and that created even more negativity

from my end, as well…

All was chaos, all negativity no matter how you sliced it.

We could have all handled it different: by practicing

mindfulness.

So what is ‘mindfulness?’ Mindfulness is defined as,

having a healthy frame of mind that points to a feeling of

protection and awareness, all at the same time. Sounds

confusing, huh? Well, yes.

And no…

In fact, we make it harder than it really is. Mantras are

healthy, if they are good. Positive affirmations can be a

healthy way to deal with stress, fear, doubt.

What our group could have done better would’ve been to

look at the project in a different way. Much like eating an

elephant: one bite at a time…

I may have delegated in a more fair and proper way, one

with integrity for the group. Assigned each person best with

what they like—what would interest each of them most, suiting

everyone. By breaking the big tasks into more manageable

ones, everyone can participate and really get it done to

perform the best of their ability, no stress. Without so much

micromanagement, everyone may indeed do their part, with no

one feeling overwhelmed, nor bored.

One mantra I adopt is, ‘and the sun will shine for you,

eventually. Eventually.’ Sounds corny, I know, but I kinda took

it from the Nickelodeon Channel my Sophomore year in high

school, he he! Ever since then, though, I have repeated this

phrase over and over in my mind—and you know what? It

works! Just try it! It can be possibly anything—no matter how

cheesy it may be, it can change your life.

It could be even a single word, like ‘powerful,’ ‘strong,’

‘dominate,’ anything positive in the harshest environment.

This will help alleviate any stress or negativity surrounding you

in any given situation. It squashes negativity, and helps you

thrive in a world of survival of the fittest; a more healthful diet

for the mind, indeed.

[jjrichards]

I am on the autistism spectrum, but I also suffer with depression and anxiety...

[jjrichards]

[jjrichards]

Stay tuned for my fashion blog, ‘The “J” Word’....

[jjrichards]

[jjrichards]

Pigs know where they goin’...

[jjrichards]

Women X September edition will feature Shawn Johnson, by me, J. J. Richards!

[jjrichards]

Believe me friend, I know the feeling...

[jjrichards]

Just a collage of some photos I took in and art gallery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa!

[jjrichards]

Getting ready for Kirkwood’s fashion show 2021 for my Business Administration degree!!!

[jjrichards]

Masking

J. J. Richards

Hands glued tighter,

Mask hiding a broken smile.

A shy girl,

Not a snob.

She hides in a book,

To feel accepted.

And creates her own world,

With a big imagination.

She’s gone mute,

By choice.

She’s on the Spectrum,

Although no one ever notices.

...

She feels life’s a popularity contest,

And disagrees with it.

She’d rather draw her own lines,

Then trace from the prototype.

They draw straight lines,

But imperfect is what she desires.

She’s quiet,

But intelligent.

She just doesn’t know how to express it.

...

She hides under a veil—a mask,

When she looks at you, she’s fearful of cutting stares.

Afraid because she has no one to run to,

She goes on in a world that won’t accept her...

For her.

She just wants understanding,

*Not a label.*

[jjrichards]