Some autistic adults do not like this symbol, but I do, so you will see it show
up in my jewelry and other pieces from time to time.
Like a lot of people with the higher functioning autism spectrum disorders, I
was not diagnosed until I was an adult. Of course, everyone knew I was
weird, but it wasn't until a few years ago that someone said 'Oh - that is
Asperger's Syndrome - you're autistic'. This was a very important thing to me,
as it explained my whole life.
I know - now you are thinking that autistic people can't have web sites - but I
do, and I have a car and a house and a Master's degree and a job in a call
center.
When I said I was autistic you immediately thought of 'Rain Man' and then
you thought of a child beating their head against a wall somewhere. Both of
these situations can really occur (Rain Man's real name is Kim Peak and he is
a perfectly wonderful person), but most autistics are nothing like either of
these stereotypes.
Autism is a completely misunderstood brain difference. It is not mental
retardation - it is perceptual problems mixed with emotional developmental
delays and usually high intelligence. Perceptual problems like hearing every
sound in a room or seeing light as extremely bright or only seeing or hearing
bits of what is occurring or processing delays. This is coupled with an
inability to understand why it is that normal people are motivated by
emotions and relationships, when it makes much more sense to stick to facts
and rules.
So what does this all mean to you in dealing with me? Like Temple Grandin,
I credit my ability to create entirely to being autistic. I can see projects in
my mind when I think of them - I can change colors and stitches and
anything I want on this picture - then all I have to do is make my hands
produce something that looks like the picture in my head. Someone at my
work tells me I have a 'mathematical mind' which seems to be a good thing.
I am very reliable and take everything seriously - too seriously people tell me
sometimes. Finally, in some ways I relate to animals and objects better than
people - this is really a benefit for you as I feel responsible for making each
of my projects not only represent your creativity in describing them, but my
creativity in making them and also the material's desire to make something
beautiful.
If you meet me in person, if I'm not trying to act normal (which is just
exhausting and I only do it at work now) you will notice that I'm quiet and
usually don't notice the volume of my speech. I wear blue glasses to help
with perceptual problems and am always doing something with my hands. I
also don't like eye contact very much.
So that explains the puzzle pieces!
Adult autsitcs
always have to say thank you to
Michael and Susan (these are
pseudonyms - they know who they
are) for both kicking my butt when
needed and being very supportive at
other times that was needed. I
certainly wouldn't be the person I am
today and quite possibly wouldn't
exist without them. I know I'm hard
to deal with so I really thank them for
continuing to do so on a voluntary
basis and for all they have done for
me in the past.
