Tag Archives: life

Dealing with depression

I spend a lot of online time in communities of autistic people and, this being the holiday season, lately there have been a few people in crisis posting to the forums.  As an Aspergian I always hesitate to respond to … Continue reading

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Ha(aspie)ness

Michael asks: What brings you happiness in your life? Well, it isn’t the number 42.  In the end it turns out, at least for me, to be what they always say it is – do what you love, in service … Continue reading

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When does intervention cross the line from helpful to harmful?

As most of you know, I’ve been asking people to boycott Autism Speaks and their major sponsors such as Home Depot and Toys ‘R’ Us.  But I want to know in such matters that I’m making the right stand. As … Continue reading

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How do we make people want to change? – Lynne Soraya

Over at her Psychology Today blog, Lynne Soraya asks “How do we make people want to change?” For me the answer is “we don’t”. One of the biggest problems I see today is this epidemic of worrying so much about … Continue reading

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Form, function and authenticity – an essay on facial hair

When I’m in the right frame of mind, Internet trolls are an endless source of amusement. Unfortunately, that isn’t often and the rest of the time they just make me fear for the future of the human race. I practice … Continue reading

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The humility/noteriety spectrum

The first part of my life could be described as a long string of attention-seeking incidents. Some of them, like getting bitten in the head by a big dog at the age of 4, didn’t start out that way but … Continue reading

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A working definition of hate in three acts

Yesterday I participated in a virtual march on Autism Speaks.  There was a rather large outpouring of tweets and Facebook posts. I thought it would be great if we had some news coverage so I looked up the news staff … Continue reading

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Paradigms and puzzle pieces

I’ve been lucky enough in my lifetime to witness sweeping cultural changes with respect to race and gender equality.  Part of this was the changing larger cultural context of the times in which I grew up and part of it … Continue reading

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My journey to the brink and back

I originally wrote this in response to a question received in the first week after starting the blog, and then I shelved it.  After leaving school I never gave much thought to these events so when I undertook to put … Continue reading

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Fear and loathing in the Charlotte CBP offices

I continue to surprise myself.  Not necessarily in good ways.  I’m known in my family for an even temper, patience and deliberation.  My wife, kids, mother in-law — they’re the ones who get the occasional anxiety attack.  Me?  I’m immune … Continue reading

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