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    I Am Autistic: A Workbook: Sensory Tools, Practical Advice, and Interactive Journaling for Understanding Life with Autism (By Someone Diagnosed With it)
    I Am Autistic: A Workbook: Sensory Tools, Practical Advice, and Interactive Journaling for Understanding Life with Autism (By Someone Diagnosed With it)
    I Am Autistic: A Workbook: Sensory Tools, Practical Advice, and Interactive Journaling for Understanding Life with Autism (By Someone Diagnosed With it)
    Ebook197 pages1 hour

    I Am Autistic: A Workbook: Sensory Tools, Practical Advice, and Interactive Journaling for Understanding Life with Autism (By Someone Diagnosed With it)

    By Chanelle Moriah

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    About this ebook

    Navigate the world of autism with this friendly, full-color guide for those interested in learning more about ASD, getting an early diagnosis, and recognizing how being on the spectrum can impact a person’s life.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherUlysses Press
    Release dateOct 25, 2022
    ISBN9781646044245
    I Am Autistic: A Workbook: Sensory Tools, Practical Advice, and Interactive Journaling for Understanding Life with Autism (By Someone Diagnosed With it)
    Author

    Chanelle Moriah

    Chanelle Moriah (they/them) is a neurodivergent author and illustrator and is the author of the bestselling I Am Autistic.  They are passionate about creating spaces of understanding to allow the freedom of individual expression. As a late-diagnosed ADHDer, with other related conditions and forms of neurodivergence, they are particularly passionate about bringing awareness to the different ways in which neurodivergence can present, and the importance of being able to live your life accordingly.  They hope that by sharing their life and experiences, and helping others to understand, they are reducing the harm and trauma (even if only for one person) that neurodivergent individuals face in existing in a neurotypical world. Chanelle lives in Wellington, New Zealand, and enjoys bubble tea, lego, and sitting in the rain.

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      Book preview

      I Am Autistic - Chanelle Moriah

      What is autism?

      Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition.

      By definition, neurodevelopmental means it relates to, or involves, the development of a person’s nervous system.

      Essentially, the nervous system is the communicator between our body and our brain. It controls our motor functions (movement), senses, thought processes, and awareness, and plays a part in our learning and memory. It is also responsible for regulating our internal physical state, such as body temperature.

      Autism is a condition in which our nervous system has developed differently and functions differently to that of most people. It involves all aspects of how our minds and bodies work.

      AUTISM traits summarized

      Poor story memory (see page 44

      )

      Stimming/fidgeting (see page 14

      )

      Poor or excessive use of eye contact (see page 15

      )

      Reduced range of emotions or expressions (see page 39

      )

      Being literal (see page 18

      )

      Black-and-white or rigid thinking (see page 29

      )

      Anxiety around change (see page 66

      )

      Needing structure/routine (see page 65

      )

      Creativity

      Sensory issues (see page 82

      )

      Poor imagination (see page 16

      )

      Echolalia (see page 24

      )

      Difficulty fitting in (see page 80

      )

      Difficulty picking up social cues (see page 31

      )

      Sensitivity (see page 32

      )

      Difficulty making and maintaining relationships (see page 30

      )

      Hiding or sitting in small or dark places (see page 35

      )

      Masking/mimicking (see page 60

      )

      Communication differences

      Special/obsessive interests (see page 46

      )

      Executive-functioning issues (see page 70

      )

      Stimming

      Stimming is making repetitive movements, actions, or sounds for self-stimulation or self-regulation.

      Flapping hands

      Biting nails

      Twirling hair

      Cracking knuckles

      Drumming fingers

      Tapping pencil

      Whistling

      Humming

      Tongue clicking

      Blinking repetitively

      Rocking

      Jumping or bouncing

      Snapping fingers

      Walking on tiptoes

      Biting or chewing objects

      Shaking head

      Repeating words

      Scratching

      Eye contact

      Autistics commonly have difficulty using eye contact to initiate, regulate, and terminate social interactions.

      This can be a lack of eye contact, or excessive or inconsistent use.

      Some autistics actually find eye contact physically painful.

      Some find it too intimate.

      And many are just unsure how to use eye contact in a way that is socially appropriate.

      What are your thoughts and experiences with this?

      Imagination

      Some autistics have a limited imagination. Here are some examples of how this might play out:

      When handed a set of images or a picture book, we can find it difficult or even anxiety provoking to attempt to create a story based on the images.

      When people watching, it can be impossible to imagine what another person’s life might be like, even if this is being played as a game.

      Pretend play or role-play using toys can be difficult.

      Reading fictional stories may be hard, because we may not be able to picture the characters or events as we read about them.

      I find using imagination difficult in many situations, because there usually isn’t enough context. How can I make an assumption about something when it may not be correct?

      Imagination doesn’t come with a correct answer. It’s like taking an exam with minimal information and no time to prepare, then never getting your results back.

      Another reason activities requiring imagination might be difficult is that many autistics overanalyze small details. It can take a long time to look at all the details in order to come up with an accurate imaginative idea, and details that don’t make sense will slow this process down a lot.

      Being literal

      Sometimes autistics will take wording in its literal form. This means that metaphors and common sayings may confuse us, and our responses to them may confuse others.

      When we interpret things literally, other people can think we are being rude, sarcastic, or sassy, or are talking back. Sometimes we can get into trouble for it and have no idea why.

      What’s up? or What are you up to?

      What do you mean?

      Up is the direction toward a higher place.

      Do you mean "What point have

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