Autism Interview #194: Melanie Magowan on Autism Acceptance and Inclusion

Interviews

Melanie Magowan is a personal trainer and British Ex Pat currently living in New Zealand. She’s also a triathlete and former Autism Specialist teacher. She has documented in her blog her life experiences as an emigrant, late diagnosed Autistic person, and amputee. Melanie has also documented her journey in vlogs through a total knee replacement and a below the knee amputation on her YouTube Channel Ryding Footloose!. This week she discussed her experience as an Autism Specialist teacher and autism acceptance and inclusion in her communities.

…

Read More

Autism Interview #193 Part 2: Ettina Kitten on Approaches to Autism Therapy Continued

Interviews, Practical Parenting

This is Part 2 of a two-part interview with Ettina Kitten. Ettina Kitten is a legal assistant, blogger, and mother-to-be from Canada. Ettina blogs at Abnormaldiversity on a variety of topics related to autism. Last week, Ettina shared her unique perspective as both a receiver and provider of autism therapy. This week she shared suggestions for how to find a therapist with an autism positive approach to therapy and challenges people to question their determination of “essential” life skills.

…

Read More

Autism Interview#192: Jeff Snyder on Self-Advocacy

4 CommentsInterviews

Jeff was born on March 27, 1989 in Providence, RI and has lived his entire life in Seekonk, MA. He was diagnosed with Autism in 1990, and ever since then, he has achieved multiple successes in his life in areas of education, long-term employment, independent living, and speaking/panel engagements. This week Jeff shared some of his experiences as a self advocate.

*Disclaimer from Jeff: I am not a medical professional. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health care provider.

…

Read More

Autism Interview #189: Medusa on Education Transitions, Work, and Teen Life

1 CommentInterviews

Medusa (Lucy Alexandra Hall) is an 18-year-old from Scotland diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, depression, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Medusa blogs at The Medusa Diaries on a variety of topics, including the fears and struggles of being newly-diagnosed and her journey coming to terms with her diagnoses. This week she shared her experience as a recent high school graduate, just beginning work and education transitions.

…

Read More

Autism Interview #188: Bart Shoaf on Late Diagnosis, Therapy, and Advocacy

1 CommentInterviews

Bart is a husband, father, grandfather from North Carolina. He has worked both in ministry, and in Continuous Improvement, both in food manufacturing and now in the printing industry.  He blogs at ManualTransmissionAutism.com.

Bart struggled for years with anxiety, social skills, and sleep disorders and was not diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder until his mid 50s. This diagnosis, although painful and confusing at first, has given him a lot of understanding about why he acts and reacts certain ways. He is now on the journey to find “autism life hacks” and hopes to share these with others along the way.

…

Read More

Autism Interview #187: Jessica Jahns on Late Diagnosis, Disclosure, and the Workplace

1 CommentInterviews

Jessica Jahns is a late-diagnosed Senior Data Analyst from Oregon with an interest in autism advocacy and allyship. She blogs at Autisticoronapoliticalifragilisticexpialidocious and is a self-described deep-thinker, draw-er of connections, observer and lover of humanity, supporter of all the proverbial “little guys,” and trauma-informed survivor. This week she shared her experience as a late-diagnosed adult coming to terms with her diagnosis and advocating in the workplace.

…

Read More

Autism Interview #186: Megan on Autistic Motherhood, Supports, and Disclosure

Interviews

Megan is a mother, Aspie, and a lover of people, music, books, and writing. Megan’s blog is a creative outlet that shares her experiences with Asperger’s Syndrome, among other stories in the hopes of uplifting and starting meaningful conversation for those who seek it. This week she discussed a variety of topics including her diagnosis story, inclusion, disclosure, and supports for new mothers.

…

Read More