“Oh, come on Ryk, you’re being so persnickety with language again. Why don’t you just lighten up and hear what we mean, and not worry so much about how we say it?” Why, thank you for being brave and vulnerable, and for speaking up when you feel the need arise. Here’s the thing: there are … Read more
As I recognize that my child has moved beyond the range of my radar, my only comfort is in knowing that the last thing I said to him was:
“I see you and recognize how your body and mind are working things out in their own way. I’m sorry for the unhelpful and unrealistic expectations that I put on you. You will try and fail according to your own particular set of circumstances, and you will always get another chance. I love you. You are perfect.”
Imagine a conversation about a trip to a museum between a person whose instrument of recall includes a detailed cinema projected onto the back of their eyeballs and a person with no access to visual formations at all. Imagine a conversation about a favorite album between a person who hears symphonies in their inner ear … Read more
We hear this phrase a lot: just show up. It seems to make a lot of sense. If everyone shows up, we have a party. Hurray. If no one shows up, no party. Boo. In the West we’ve grown up to think of ourselves as unique, individual beings that are also somewhat interchangeable. We all … Read more
I post a lot about politics on Facebook and my personal blog, and I have many strong and specific opinions. I also have joined many special interest groups on social media. It would never even occur to me to share my political opinions in these special interest groups, but I understand why some might.
I’m also neurodivergent, and I post a lot about that. Again, if I wanted to start a hyperlocal neurodivergence group, I feel empowered to do so, and wouldn’t consider posting in my local community group (though I might introduce myself there and invite folks to join my group if they like).
As a neurodivergent person, I have a lot of practice stepping on various boundaries that I did not understand intuitively. And, I understand a wide range of reactions to being reminded of a boundary.