Advice for the Autistic child I never knew
If you’re the parent of a child (or children) who’s Autistic, or who you think might be, I want you to sit up and take particular notice of this post.…
The Autism diaries
Patient care taking a backseat to the business of health
I don’t think very much of doctors, or any “brand” of health professional really – except for the nurses that tend to do most of the heavy lifting. I haven’t…
Myths and misinformation: setting the record straight on Autism
In researching many of the stories I’ve written these past six months, it has sometimes been difficult to discern fiction from fact. And if it’s difficult for me – someone…
Autism: many things to many different people
To most people, Autism is a word. One they’ve heard rarely, most likely on TV – during a news bulletin perhaps – or in a movie. That’s how it was…
Swimming: ultimate sanctuary/sensory nightmare
At time of writing, the forecast maximums for the next four days where I live in the suburbs surrounding Brisbane are 34, 31, 33, and 35 (that last one is…
Rejection sensitive dysphoria and its connection to Autism
By the time I reached my late teens, I couldn’t walk through the local shopping centre without feeling like everyone was laughing at me. That I had never met these…
Life and the great Autism trade off
A few weeks ago, the occupational therapist I’ve been working with asked me if I wanted to talk about accommodations for when I return to work. That I experienced a…
What to consider when embarking on an Autism diagnosis
When I was 20, a long time ago now!, I went to my GP feeling sick, with symptoms that included a sore throat, fever, a stuffy nose, and headaches. He…
Autism and the relentless need for control
During the past week, I realised something about myself that isn’t easy to admit. Or maybe it’s more accurate to say that I’ve known about it for a while but…
What is Autistic masking and why do we do it?
I used to think I knew myself well – but now I’m not so sure. That’s because, since my Autism diagnosis, I don’t always know where ‘Autistic Glenn’ and ‘masking…
Autistic Pride Day: Not proud, not ashamed either
Sunday 18 June is my first Autistic Pride Day – that’s because it’s the first to occur since I was diagnosed Autistic at the end of 2022. Wikipedia tells me:…
When it comes to life, I’ve never understood the algorithm
In episode five of season three of ‘Barry’, a fantastic dark comedy about a hitman who discovers the joy of acting while scoping out a target, Sally, Barry’s girlfriend, has…
Why my NDIS application was, ultimately, successful
Nobody thought my application to the NDIS would be successful. Not the psychiatrist who first saw me, nor the clinical psychologist who went through hours of diagnostic testing and Q&A…
Sorry I ghosted you: an Autism relationship tale
This post doubles as an apology. One I feel I need to offer after researching ‘ghosting’ and its effects on the person left behind. In my case, I’m referring to…
Looking to the past in my battle against Autistic burnout
This might sound like a strange one. But after living my entire 52 years not knowing that I’m Autistic (to this point at least – hopefully there’s a bit more…