Bipolar Disorder: Understanding it and Living with it
After having explored autism in detail in my previous articles, it is now time to talk about my bipolar episodes,…
À la une
My disrupted sensory world: caught between too much and not enough
One of my oldest memories is watching tiny floating dust particles in the light of my bedroom window. That sight…
My disrupted sensory world: caught between too much and not enough
Florent One of my oldest memories is watching tiny floating dust particles in the light of my bedroom window. That sight fascinated me. And yet, for most of my life, my sensory sensitivities have been my greatest struggle. They were the main trigger for my autistic meltdowns. When I experienced my first autistic burnout, my sensory hypersensitivities intensified to the point where I described them as “broken.” Things that used to bother me mildly — or things I had adapted to — suddenly became unbearable. Since sensory sensitivities are a core part of the diagnostic criteria and a major aspect of autistic life, it feels important to explain them and share my experience.
Read MoreMy rituals (and what they are)
After explaining routines and talking about my own, it’s clear that I need to turn my attention to rituals. Rituals, like routines, transform a world perceived as unpredictable into something stable and manageable. To recap, the key difference between these two concepts is that a routine is a sequence of regular, organized actions or gestures, while a ritual carries symbolic, emotional, or identity-related meaning.
Read MoreMy routines (and what they are)
Routines are part of the diagnostic criteria for ASD—autism. They involve sequences of repetitive actions, gestures, or behaviors. Behind this somewhat dull medical criterion lies a daily reality for many autistic people who experience it in a much more vivid way. Each repeated gesture is in fact a compass for the autistic person, guiding their day. Routines provide them with structure and organization.
Read MoreMy special interests (and what they are)
In life, I have several major special interests. Two of them are very old, one probably dating back to my childhood. But what is a special interest? The correct term to define it is “restricted interests.” The term is rarely used because it implies that autistic people are not interested in much. Special interests are the equivalent of a passion in a allistic person (non-autistic person, see Glossary). The difference lies in their intensity, their pervasiveness, and the role they play.
Read MoreThe blog’s genesis
I’m Flo. I recently turned 29, and the path to where I am now hasn’t been easy. After years of researching autism, finally accepting it, and spending almost a year reflecting on it, I decided to start a blog about the conditions I was diagnosed with.
Read More