About Me

Learning about neurodiversity fundamentally changed my life. Like most SLPs, university courses and education didn’t effectively teach me about the autism spectrum. All it taught me was the DSM-V definition of autism spectrum disorder.

A definition that didn’t include me. Not too surprising when researchers only studied young white boys and decided that was enough.

In preparing for graduate clinic working with a young autistic girl, I read everything I could find on “female” autism. And I was met with description after description of younger me. What?

Thus began my neurodiversity journey. From actually understanding autism, to growing to accept my autistic brain. As I’ve gained awareness and competence with neurodiversity-affirming principles, I’ve been able to reflect on my experiences growing up unidentified autistic.

Many of the adults in my life failed me, perpetuating this narrative that if I mastered their rules, I’d become a successful contributing member of society. In other words, I could be neurotypical too, if only I tried harder. I worked relentlessly for what I didn’t know was an impossible goal. And I wrecked my body and mind in the process.

The adults in my life didn’t know that their teaching and expectations were harmful. They didn’t know I was sacrificing my health to still fall short of unrealistic standards. They thought they were helping!

And that’s why I’m writing about neurodiversity. I want to help make SLP more neurodivergent-friendly because I know so many SLPs want to help. But they might not be so sure how they can really help.

My writing is an amalgamation of my lived experiences as autistic, research and educational articles, and other neurodivergent points of view. I’m far from having everything figured out, but I can tell you that shifting my mindset from remediation to accommodation has been a huge starting place. I’m committed to keep growing my understanding and efforts to accommodate different brains and bodies and I plan to share what I learn here so you can benefit too.

The heaviness of this topic easily overwhelms me, so I draw comics to accompany the topics I explore. Perhaps sometimes they’re funny, and sometimes they help illustrate a strategy or perspective I’m trying to convey.

Understanding, accepting, and accommodating. The more I’ve learned to respect, honor, speak up, value my differences, rather than burying or trying to change them, the better I’ve felt and healthier I’ve become. Until Covid-19, but hey, my neurodiversity journey apparently includes accommodating for Covid-19 too. Maybe someday I can write a recovery story for that one. Right now I’m just taking things one day at a time.