Once a week I go to a supermarket on my day off from work to do the 'big shop'.
Supermarkets are often places of nightmares for autistic people and when I am feeling low in myself, they can be my nightmare.
The lights can be bright. Too bright. I remember my mother saying she couldn't stand a particular supermarket because the lights flickered and triggered her migraines. She's not alone there. I don't like the brightness and the flashing of lights...
Saturday, 3 December 2016
Thursday, 24 November 2016
How I came to be diagnosed
I suppose it might be useful to explain how I was diagnosed with autism. I wasn't diagnosed through school or as a preschooler like many are.
It all started in 2000 when I was learning to drive. I have an automatic driving licence as I found it difficult with my coordination and multi-tasking. It took me nearly 18 months to get there after having my first and only manual instructor tell my mother he didn't think I was up to it after 2-3 lessons....
Wednesday, 23 November 2016
Blinded by the light: how I manage night driving
The nature of my job means that sometimes I drive to my place of work, other times I go by train to other more distant sites. I am happy with the arrangement and have no complaints. I have for many years been comfortable with my regular half hour motorway drive. I like it and I have no worries about that kind of high speed commute. The train I don't mind either, except the cost plus reliability (a rant for another day!)...
However, we are now entering...
Monday, 21 November 2016
To declare or not to declare...
I was recently asked by a mother whether her daughter, who was starting to look for employment, should declare her autism on her job application form.
I can see this situation from many angles.
Firstly, I am autistic who is currently employed but has also experienced long-term unemployment too. I've done my fair share of job interviews; some have resulted in jobs, others not.
Secondly, I am my trade union's equality rep at my place of work. I am...
Saturday, 19 November 2016
Introduction
I have created this blog to address specific problems that many people have who are diagnosed with autism through the lens of my own experiences. My focus is intended to be on people like myself but obviously every autistic person's experiences vary. These people are intellectually high functioning and to the causal observer are by and large neuro-typical. On the face of it, I can blend in with a lot of what society does but it doesn't mean I can...
