What the fvck is the AUTISM “Spectrum?”
Psychology fascinated me dating back to a very young age. I veered away from my independent studies whilst in the military but I never stopped observing or sitting in the shadows with others.
In the past three years I’ve had the privilege of time, which has allowed me an opportunity to fill my brain to the brim and pull every shadow from within me, my lineage and study.
I plan to create “Anti-Ableist” content. This will supplement “Anti-Racist” work. We cannot pick and choose our activism any longer. We need to center on our own and collective mental health/ well being.
I Cross pollinate and source/ filter my understandings through the following lenses
Through my Identities:
Autistic
Black
…I’m also White
Indigenous
Parent
Womxn (giver of birth)
Autigender (Autism /sensory processing/ affects gender expression)
Disabled
Queer
Anti-War veteran
Through my studies:
Behavioral data research
Decolonization work
White supremacy culture
Systemic Oppression
Neurodiversity research
Rape culture
Trauma informed care
Somatics
Genocide — still occurring
Cognitive and Behavioral therapy
Ancestral trauma
Cults
Capitalism
I am enlightened and equally wrecked by my findings. I plan to share them until I feel like I have released all that I am holding. I am finding that the answers I’ve been looking for lie in the nuances of which I feel called to illuminate.
It is with great pleasure that I must express that I make no claim to perfection as I allow my thoughts to unfold. I understand that I will be learning for the duration of my lifetime, I’m looking forward to it.
Over the past three years I have scoured the DSM, Thousands of posts from Autistic adults, researched diagnostic tools alongside white supremacy culture and have compiled some visualizations that hope will raise awareness to the concept of many people having compounding “comorbidities” and are quite possibly receiving less than to no diagnosis of Autism.
I believe (genetics) at least 60% of our population is on the Autism spectrum and the numbers will only increase with procreation. Due to our cultures orientation towards sexism Autism in general has a rich history of being prioritized for diagnosis in young boys. The criteria is even gendered, the tools are sexist and biased as fvck. Medical providers are following the same indoctrinated criteria and Labeling far too many individuals without actually diagnosing.
We need to become a trauma informed culture. I dream of eradicating Shame, Rape and Call out culture. Everything share carries with it this intention.
I believe individuals with neuro-differences have many compounding
“comorbidities” within each category listed to the right. (Listed at the end)
Survival has caused many of us to mask our hardships making diagnosis harder. Many people receive misdiagnosis or partial diagnosis when a full one would offer each person more access to potentially life saving healthcare.
This is how I am Coming to understand the “Autism Spectrum”…
+ NEUROLOGICAL
+ PSYCHOLOGICAL
+ LEARNING DIFFERENCES
+ PHYSIOLOGICAL
(“Co-occurring conditions”)
+ GENETICS
NEUROLOGICAL
+ ADD / ADHD
+ Echolalia
(repeating words or phrases)
+ Catatonia
+ Dysautonomia
(nervous system dysfunction)
+ Seizures (epilepsy)
+ Sensory processing disorder
+ Synesthesia
+ Tics (Tourette's)
- I am aware that this list is not complete, I offer imagery as a way to solidify my own learnings.
PSYCHOLOGICAL
+ Alexithymia
(emotional processing/ “big feelings”)
+ Anxiety
+ Bipolar
+ Depression
+ Mutism
+ OCD
+ ODD
+ PDA (Pathological extreme demand avoidance)
+ PTSD
+ Schizophrenia
LEARNING DIFFERENCES
(Intellectual challenges)
(Cognitive dysfunctions)
+ Dyscalculia (math problems)
+ Dysgraphia (writing problems)
+ Dyslexia (reading challenges)
+ Hypercalculia (math savant)
+ Hypergraphia (writing/ drawing savant)
+ Hyperlexia (reading savant)
+ Savant / Gifted (unusual special skills)
PHYSIOLOGICAL
(“Co-occurring Conditions”)
+ Dyspraxia (coordination problems)
+ Gut problems
+ Hyperacusis (Sensitive Hearing)
+ Hypotonia (Low Muscle Tone)
+ Dermatillo-mania (skin picking)
+ PICA (eating non edibles)
+ Sleep Problems
+ Vision Problems
+ (Crossed eyes,
+ lazy eye refractive problems)
GENETICS
+ Down Syndrome
+ EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome)
+ Fragile X syndrome
+ Gender Spectrum (Transgender/non conforming)
+ Turner Syndrome
*I am aware that some concepts may offend some, I am championing to validate the experiences of those who have endured having an elevated social awareness to neurodiversity research/ lived experiences.
I fancy myself a Black/Indigenous/White, Queer, Polyamorous, Autigender whom is a Disabled Anti-War Veteran of Color who is also AUTISTIC AS FVCK (even if you can’t visibly notice) That’s an ever growing mouthful I’m feeling pretty comfortable leaning into and I trust it may evolve as I continue to learn more about myself.
Naturally, I am a trauma Survivor. There isn’t a day that goes by where I am not rebelling against the urge to simply not exist.
