softautism

[softautism]

okay. so.

surveymonkey only allows 100 responses with a free account.

because of this, i’ve made a similar survey on a different website, which allows unlimited responses.

the first survey already has over 530 responses, of which i can only view the first 100.

for those of you who don’t know, this is a survey for autistic people about the topic of a cure. i’ve made a very similar one on a different website that allows for unlimited responses.

please take this survey

i would also appreciate if, in addition to reblogging/signal boosting this, people would distribute this link in any place they believe autistic people might see it.

[softautism]

On Dentists

So I can’t brush my teeth. Like, it’s the worst kind of hell. I went to the dentist for a cleaning today and I told the hygienist this, and she was wonderfully helpful.

There are some incredibly soft toothbrushes available- namely, post-surgical brushes. Running them under hot water makes them even softer.

She told me that you don’t really need to use toothpaste- it’s mostly marketing. The foam gets to me, so that is really reassuring.

She gave me two particularly soft brushes and some xylitol gum. Trident is a market brand of xylitol gum, which helps with your teeth and can make your breath smell better.

The whole purpose of brushing is to disrupt plaque buildup. You don’t need to brush twice a day, every day with toothpaste if you brush correctly- little circles, focusing on near the gums (where most plaque builds up). So if you’re having a bad sensory day and can’t brush at all, it’s not the end of the world.

Hell, you don’t even need a toothbrush if even the post-surgical ones are too harsh. Going over your teeth with the same motions using a washcloth is enough.

She wants to find a fluoride rinse that has a taste I can stand (peppermint is the only mint I can stand) but she’s not particularly worried about it.

I go to Dr. Barr in Chicago. If you can get to the State St. Macy’s, his office is nearby. He’s very kind and patient and really understanding of my needs as an autistic person. The hygienist, I don’t know her name, announced everything she was going to do before she did it, and stopped frequently to see how I was doing.

This is really the only positive dentist I’ve ever had- past dentists have been too rough and not bothered to help find ways I can actually brush.

Basically this is a glowing recommendation for Dr. Barr’s office if you’re autistic, afraid of dentists, or have sensory needs. This is a recommendation even if you don’t have any of those things.

[softautism]

I need your help for my bachelor thesis.

As some of you know, I’m writing on my bachelor thesis about autism and aspergers. And I have to come up with a concept for an “autism therapy”. I’ll like to make my concept from the autistic point of view (if you know what I mean) A therapy with the goal, to make autistics happy and not neurotypical.

Have you any idea for the perfect “therapy”? What aspects are important for you? What goals you want to achieve with it? Should it be item-centered or in a group with neurotypicals or other autistics?

You can reblog, send me a message, ask or submission. Thanks for your help!

[softautism]

may I follow your blog if I'm still figuring out if I'm autistic?

Absolutely!

[softautism]

Also, someone else being Autistic is not a threat to you being Autistic. We are a minority group with something like a 75% unemployment rate, last I heard, not a country club.

[softautism]

"Romanticising autism"

What it is: Allistics using autistic people as “inspiration”, as “tragedies”, or using them as proof that they are a good person just for being nice to autistics

What it isn’t: Autistic people daring to say something positive about our neurotype.

[softautism]

Another awesome tutorial on how to make weighted stuffed animals. I would use plastic pellets myself buy stone might work well too.

Miriam, Mod.

[softautism]

[image description: Pictures of three t-shirts being digitally modeled by people. Two shirts are navy in colour and are printed with the same words in different fonts. They read “I don’t ‘have autism’ I am Autistic”. One shirt is a golden yellow colour and reads “I love someone who is Autistic (it’s me)”]

Aaand here are the rest of the new designs I’ve put up. You can find them here. There are a bunch of t-shirt colours to choose from, and you can even get my designs on stickers and bags and things. Fun!

[softautism]

Do you think being overly sensitive to temperature could be an autism thing? I've always had a really low threshold for acceptable temoertures and now I wonder if it's bc of my sensory issues

It's a thing a lot of autistic people experience. It's not strictly an autism thing and some autistic people are hyposensitive to temperature, but if you know you are autistic and this is something you experience, it's prob part of that.

[softautism]

Spread the word.

[softautism]

I keep thinking about how my doctor said I had “light” autism but that doesn’t fit in with the whole “Mild/bold/spicy autism” meme, so when I tell people I really want to type it as Autism Lite™

[softautism]

Donate on Tilt to help me move!

My live-in partner and I recently broke up. We’re on good terms still but we live in a one-bedroom apartment and she is unable to break the lease, so I need to move. 

I work from home as a freelance artist. I’m autistic, trans, and mentally ill so getting a “”“regular”“” job is hard for me right now. I’m asking for help raising money to fund my move.

I’m hoping to move by November/December. I don’t currently have a place I know I can move to, but I’m looking constantly. I’m lucky to be able to have a safe place to stay while I take a bit of time to look for a new home that can meet my needs, but moving out as soon as possible is ideal since I really need my own room/space.

Anything you can contribute, even $1, is hugely appreciated! If you can’t contribute, sharing this Tilt on twitter, tumblr, FB, etc is a great help too! bonus: if you donate $50 or more, you can email me yr address and i will send you a cool art package!

Other ways to support me are my Patreon, Storenvy, Redbubble, and Itch.io ~ Thank you!!!

[softautism]

Seeking recommendations for contributors to a paid nonfiction anthology of writings by adult-diagnosed autistic people.

Seeking recommendations for contributors to a paid nonfiction anthology of writings by adult-diagnosed autistic people. The anthology is aimed at autistic readers who are either diagnosed formally, self-diagnosed, or undiagnosed and exploring whether they are autistic. Contributions will be personal, relatable narratives with some practical insights, connecting contributors’ own experiences to larger issues (examples: self-acceptance, burnout). Contributors may be given a list of questions or themes to help guide them, or asked to write on specific themes. 

Each contributor will be paid $75. Submissions will be edited so the anthology has a consistent voice. (Authors can participate or not participate in the editing to the extent they prefer.) Authors will need to grant ASAN permission to publish their pieces, but will retain rights to their submissions.

People who make the final list will be contacted in February or March, with a four-month deadline. 

I am looking in particular for recommendations for late-diagnosed/late-self-recognized autistic people who are one or more of the following:

 Non-white

 Not cis 

 Not straight

 Poor

 Older at diagnosis/self-recognition (50+)

 Put in special ed for other disabilities but had their autism missed

I am also interested in including other diversity where possible (non-American, religious minorities, co-occurring disabilities, other things I haven’t thought of yet). Intersectionality is always a plus. 

Contact elizabeth.bartmess@gmail.com with suggestions and/or questions.

[softautism]

As a neurodivergent cousin who enjoys seeing others happy, I do feel sad you guys are inactive, but your existence is wonderful and you deserve to focus on whatever is needing your attention now.

I really wish that I could post more stuff but I don’t have a computer right now so it’s really hard to run any kinda blog but especially an image-based one from a phone.

-mod rosie (and also mod danny since his is the phone i use to go on tumblr)

[softautism]

I'm just wondering what's wrong with the Autism speaks site?

http://www.boycottautismspeaks.com/why-boycott-1.html

https://thecaffeinatedautistic.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/why-i-am-against-autism-speaks-and-you-should-be-too-2/

i found these by typing “what’s wrong with Autism Speaks” into google

-mod rosie

#autism speaks

[softautism]

I'm an autistic girl and sometimes I feel really bad because my symptoms are hard. Your blog makes me feel better. Thank you. You are cool and lovely.

same to you! i’m glad you like this blog even though it is inactive and boring now

-mod rosie

[softautism]

people who think autism is an epidemic count “high-functioning” autistic people when using statistics that support their epidemic claim 

but then suddenly they “don’t count” when statistics come out showing the same rate of autism in adult populations as in children