Atypical

 

Atypical in the context of autism refers to behaviors, traits, or abilities that are not typical or common in non-autistics. Atypical behaviors can include things like repetitive movements, difficulty with social communication or interaction, sensory sensitivities, and intense interests or focus on specific topics.

The term "atypical" is used to describe these behaviors because they deviate from what is considered typical or expected in NTs.

However, it is important to note that the term "atypical" should not be used in a negative or stigmatizing way, as autistics have unique strengths and abilities that may not be considered typical but are still valuable and important.

Related Terms: A Chara ,    Allistic,    Aspie,    Atypical,  Autistic Burnout,   Autistic Inertia,  Catatonia,   Crip Time,   Critical Disability Studies,   Disability Justice Movement,  Disability Rights Movement,   Disability Eugenics,   Feeble-Minded,   Imbecile,   Inspiration Porn,  Masking/Camoflauging,   Microaggressions,   Neurominority,   Ofa Ahi Latu,   R-Word,   Savant,   Spoon Theory,   Takiwatanga,  Trains,  Ubuntu,    Ugly Laws,   Upstander

Dont Cant Wont - Masking Camouflaging

Don't Can't Won't - Masking Camouflaging

Autistics engage in Masking
Autistics engage in Camouflaging
Attempts at passing muster, appear more "normal", make eye contact
........Effortful
........All verily exhausting
........ Very very exhausting
Contributors to Autistic Burnout.
Meltdowns and Autistic Burnout
Burnout, Burnout.

BUT, NonSpeaking Autistics
... Don't possibly Mask
... Can't possibly Camouflage
Why it is quite certain that Nonspeakers
....Won't experience Burnout.
ONLY Meltdowns, but NOT Burnout!
They don't, they can't, they won't

Déjà vu
...Don't
...Can't
...Won't
...Not Possible, No agency!!
Sorrowful words oft heard before
Ableist terminology. Disappointing!!

Reality!!
We struggle as all autistics do
Attempts at masking and camouflaging
Sometimes it works, we pass muster 

Other times, its a Partial No-Go

maybe even a Total "Oh-No!!"

Masking and Camouflaging 

Walk without stares in society

No one likes to be gawked at
Fly under the radar is often the goal.

Basic self-safety oft at stake

Sprinkle on apraxia and comorbidities
the result
....variable & unreliable steering controls.
The body, a car with a loose steering wheel
unpredictable in the way it will go.
Effort required multiplied, magnified.
Autistic Burnout
Burnout Burnout Burnout
Burnout Burnout
Burnout

Related Posts

Masking & Camouflaging.

https://uniquelyhari.blogspot.com/2021/09/cm.html

Triple Bind and Masking in Autistic Females

https://uniquelyhari.blogspot.com/2021/04/triple-bind-masking.html

Masking as an evolutionary advantage

https://uniquelyhari.blogspot.com/2020/04/masking-as-evolutionary-advantage.html

CAT-Q measure to measure camouflaging in autistic females.

https://uniquelyhari.blogspot.com/2021/04/cat-q-measure-to-measure-camouflaging.html

Dont Cant Wont - Masking Camouflaging

https://uniquelyhari.blogspot.com/2021/05/dcw.html

 

Where do the Autistic Crips Go?

In a few months, the California wildfires will be back.

We don't realize how much more disabling the climate change is for the disabled

Where Do the Autistic Crips Go?

I’m an autistic crip with sensory disabilities.

One of my many labels, too many to recount. 

Crips are not priority when natural disaster strikes.

2005 

... Katrina Disabled abandoned by caretakers

2018 

...Paradise CampFire, more of the same. 

We are ever the forgotten, not-accounted-for divergents. 

September 2020, 

...Bay Area Skies glowed red

Nuclear orange sky from countless wildfires. 

Evacuations were abound even with Covid around. 

It just was not safe to social distance at home. 

An autistic crip, I will just call him Zee 

Wildfires by his home, the air not fit to breathe.

He had legs to walk out, his was a different disability

But where would Zee go, evacuation is hardly easy

A shelter was not a place he could hang out. 

Sensory sensitivities, food allergies, social anxiety, compromised immunity. 

…. On top of sheer uncertainty. 

Where oh, where can autistic crips go?

Shelters are planned for the non-crip mindbody

Smoked filled air, but my home not in path of fire

Zee came, stayed a few days with me. 

It was not easy but it was better than a shelter.

Zee had a place to go for this round of emergency

The fires came close but his home did not catch fire. 

He was able to go back to his own home eventually

But where did the other autistic crips go?

Where will I go if this happens to me?

Next year, 

... the wildfires will be back.

Prepare and plan, says the authority?

Pack a bag with all that you need.

But...

How do you prepare for something like this?

How does one prepare sensory sensitivities and anxiety?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allistic

The term "allistic" is used to describe individuals who are not not autistic. 

The term "allistic" is intended to be a neutral term that does not carry any negative connotations or stigmatization.

Neurodiversity is an Umbrella Term

 

Neurominority

 

The term "neurominority" refers to individuals who have atypical neurological differences, but are not necessarily considered to be a disorder or a pathology. This can include individuals with autism, ADHD, dyslexia. Neurominority is often used in the context of neurodiversity, which emphasizes the value of diversity in neurological functioning and the need for societal acceptance and support for individuals with neurological differences. The term "neurominority" is intended to promote a more positive and accepting view of neurological differences and to reduce stigma and discrimination. 

Infantile vs Regressive Autism

Infantile autism, also known as classic autism, refers to a subtype of autism that is typically diagnosed in early childhood, before the age of three. Symptoms may include delayed or absent speech, difficulty with social interactions, and repetitive movements or behaviors.

Regressive autism, also known as late-onset autism or acquired autism, refers to a subtype of autism where an individual develops typically in early childhood, but then experiences a loss of previously acquired skills, particularly in social communication and interaction. This regression typically occurs between the ages of 15 and 30 months, and may be accompanied by other behavioral changes such as a loss of interest in social interaction, decreased eye contact, and the development of repetitive behaviors.

 

Ideas to mull over

 

Autistic Savant

  

A savant is a person who demonstrates splinter skills/ exceptional abilities / prodigious talent/ giftedness in one particular area (eg:  music, art, mathematics, or memory), despite having significant disabilities or challenges in other areas of functioning, such as social or communication skills. 

Savant abilities are often associated with autism and the word savant is used to describe autistics who have remarkable talents or skills that are rare or difficult to explain. 

Examples of Autistic Savants

• Daniel Tammet - a writer and mathematician who has exceptional abilities in numerical and linguistic skills. He has authored several books and is known for his ability to recite pi to over 22,000 digits.
• Stephen Wiltshire - an artist who has an exceptional photographic memory and ability to draw detailed and accurate cityscapes from memory after only a brief aerial viewing.
• Kim Peek - known as the inspiration for the character of Raymond Babbitt in the movie "Rain Man", Peek had an exceptional memory for facts and details, including memorizing 12K books and is an expert in 15 subjects.  Used to read 2 pages simultaneously which took him just 8 seconds. 

While savant abilities can be impressive and unique, it is important to recognize and value the full range of abilities and strengths of all autistics and other disabled people. 

Busting Myths:

• Not every autistic is a savant
• Not every autistic is a software genius.