Cynthia Parkhill to ‘I Wish I Didn’t Have Aspergers’: #AutismPositivity2012

What a revelation to learn in adulthood that I’m on the autism spectrum and that, moreover, I am part of an amazing, versatile, diverse community.

The difficulties and challenges I’d suffered in childhood were finally explained! The teasing and ostracism, the food sensitivities that led to battles at the dinner table. My differences were known, they were documented and explained. Even understood and shared by actively blogging members of an autism community.

Even more amazing to learn that those traits that I consider to be my greatest strengths — honesty, creativity, an absence of pretense and my passion for animal welfare and zero-tolerance for bullying — could be attributable to autism too.

I don’t know what circumstances led you to to google “I Wish I Didn’t Have Asperger’s.” I don’t pretend to know your problems. I can tell you that you are not alone.

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The ribbon of interlocking puzzle pieces is very beautiful to me in its bright variety and color. To me it suggests that each of us is unique but with shared experiences from which we can draw strength.

Here is a perspective by Dr. Tony Attwood that helped to shape my awareness of what it means to be on the spectrum. I hope it is of as much comfort to you as it was to me:

“From my clinical experience I consider that children and adults with Aspergers Syndrome have a different, not defective, way of thinking.

“The person usually has a strong desire to seek knowledge, truth and perfection with a different set of priorities than would be expected with other people. There is also a different perception of situations and sensory experiences. The overriding priority may be to solve a problem rather than satisfy the social or emotional needs of others.

“The person values being creative rather than co-operative. The person with Aspergers syndrome may perceive errors that are not apparent to others, giving considerable attention to detail, rather than noticing the “big picture”.

“The person is usually renowned for being direct, speaking their mind and being honest and determined and having a strong sense of social justice.

“The person may actively seek and enjoy solitude, be a loyal friend and have a distinct sense of humour.

“However, the person with Aspergers Syndrome can have difficulty with the management and expression of emotions.

“Children and adults with Aspergers syndrome may have levels of anxiety, sadness or anger that indicate a secondary mood disorder. There may also be problems expressing the degree of love and affection expected by others. Fortunately, we now have successful psychological treatment programs to help manage and express emotions.”

I like Attwood’s emphasis upon different and not defective. In a longer article, he explores what would happen if society focused on discovering Aspergian strengths and advantages. I hope this perspective is of comfort to you.

This essay is part of the Autism Positivity Flash Blog event.

The Autism Positivity Flash Blog Event is the brainchild of Thinking About Perspectives, a group of bloggers committed to increasing autism awareness and acceptance via open and respectful dialogue.  They are: 30 Days of Autism, Outrunning the Storm, The Third Glance, Aspie Kid, Flappiness Is, Quirky and Laughing, Life on the Spectrum, Fairy Tale Forgotten, The Aspie Side of Life and Inner Aspie.

‘Something’s Gotta Give’

I started singing “Something’s Gotta Give” on Friday as the bus driver pulled away from my stop and I settled in for the ride home:

“When an irresistible force such as you 

“Meets an immovable object like me ... 

“Something’s gotta give, something’s gotta give, 

“Something’s gotta give.” 

Repeating this over and over for at least a minute, maybe longer.

I think the name for what I was feeling at the time was “relief” that I’d come to the end of my week with my responsibilities met. Perhaps the feeling was flavored with “anxiety” over whether this will continue to be the case.

The driver and I were the only two people who were on the bus at the time and if she heard me singing, she kept it to herself.

One of my known challenges is being able to identify and then to articulate what I’m feeling. I think that when I spontaneously sing, there may be a connection between the lyrics and emotions I am feeling at the time.

In the case of my week that concluded on Friday with my bus ride home, it was characterized by new opportunities that joined existing responsibilities.

While I was proud that I had met these challenges, part of my mind may have expressed concern that “Something’s Gotta Give.”

Echolalic tendencies are among my constellation of Aspergian traits. I often repeat what other people say but not always audibly. Much of this takes place in my head.

I sing snatches of lyrics and I engage in what I describe as cat mantras, repetitive chanting that is so-named because it involves cats:

“Precious little Starfire! Lovely little Starfire!”

or the more general:

“Precious little kittycat! Lovely little kittycat!” 

While I am much more aware today of my echolalic tendencies, I believe these traits persisted throughout my life.

Emotions remain difficult for me to identify but I think paying attention to when, where and what I sing may be a key to better understanding them. Singing, for me, may be indispensable to communicate what I am feeling at the time.

Autism bloggers promote positivity

Curated in Storify: Someone, somewhere, googled “I wish I didn’t have Asperger’s.” The Autism Positivity Flash Blog asks autism bloggers, “What would you say to that person?”

‘Bully’ reaches Lakeport

Hand-fashioned “No Bully” design, prior to stitching onto shirt

It’s casual Friday and I planned to wear anyway, my hand-fashioned “No Bully” shirt. But today turned out to be even more of an occasion to wear my “No Bully” shirt.

The film “Bully” opens today in Lakeport. I hope everyone who is at all influential upon a child’s education will go and watch this film.

I know of at least one class-wide trip to see “The Hunger Games;” how much more vital if Lake County schools arranged field trips to view “Bully” on the big screen.

Looking ahead, once the film has been released on DVD, I hope it is shown in every classroom and to parents during back-to-school events.

I would like this film to become part of orientation for newly-elected school board members. I would like bullying to be a campaign issue for anyone who seeks election.

Put simply, it is that important. Bullying is serious. Bullying is wrong. It can have devastating short- and long-term consequences. Every child (and adult) should be protected from bullying.

Lake County libraries: Let’s have a ‘Measure A’

Mendocino County Library’s “Traveling Branch Library”
http://www.facebook.com/Mendocino.County.Library

 I think Lake County libraries should have a Measure A sales tax of its own, after reading about the numerous benefits to Mendocino County libraries.

As posted March 6 by the Ukiah Daily Journal, Mendocino County Library has acquired a bookmobile that is first-of-its-kind in the United States: an electric-diesel hybrid that operates with a prototype auxiliary generator.

Funding for the bookmobile came from American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds but thanks to Measure A, the library was able to expand bookmobile services to previously underserved areas of Mendocino County.

I’ve argued previously that Lake County should operate a bookmobile: a “Traveling Branch Library,” as emblazoned on the Mendocino County bookmobile’s side.

I see a need for bookmobile services particularly in greater Kelseyville and Cobb communities. District 5 is the only Lake County district that does not have a branch library. A bookmobile would provide services to people who have limited traveling ability.

A bond measure or a sales tax, such as Measure A, would help pay for that bookmobile.

A celebration through yarnbombing of Measure A funding for Mendocino County libraries

But consider these other benefits to Mendocino County libraries, realized since the passage of Measure A:

The UDJ posted a report on April 13  about a presentation by Librarian Melanie Lightbody before the Mendocino County Supervisors. In addition to adding services back, Lightbody noted, the library hoped to put $300,000 in a library reserve fund.

Measure A sales tax revenues would also mean that the library “will now have the ability to pay our overhead costs, which the board of supervisors has paid for us out of general fund money for over 20 years,” Lightbody said.

The UDJ further noted that the board approved a Librarian II position for a children’s librarian for the coast, so that there will be one children’s librarian for the coast and one for inland Mendocino County. The board also approved hiring 10 part-time library assistant positions for various branch libraries.

When I consider the new library that is being built in Middletown, I wonder how it can reasonably run with only one library employee. Surely library Director Gehlen Palmer will be in need of help beyond that which can be provided by volunteers.

The Measure A library sales tax measure also paid for new online resources. Our libraries can always use added funding for collections, whether tangible or online, as well as for vital community services.

For these reasons, I hope Lake County will consider putting a measure to vote and, if it comes to be, I hope Lake County voters will approve a measure for libraries.

Published May 1, 2012 in the Lake County Record-Bee