The Autistic Pride Award [500th Post]

As some of y’all are aware, it has become a little informal tradition on this blog to dedicate every 100th post to bouncing the focus and recognition back onto the Asperger’s/Autism Spectrum bloggers and the rest of the community in some way.

In the 100th post, I listed a few of the earliest blogs I found that really comforted me, with information and encouragement.  After reading them, I felt very positive, understood, legitimate, validated, secure, and Not Alone.

In the 200th post, I gave a little shout-out to the Asperger’s/autism spectrum community online, especially within the context of social media.  I had found Twitter a few months prior, and felt fully-embedded as a full-fledged card-carrying (grin) member of the community.

In the 300th post, I created a subject matter-categorized listing of some (OK, more than some–70) of my favorite blog posts that I thought were particularly relatable, informative, and helpful (although there are many more than just 70!).

In the 400th post, I encouraged everyone who wanted to, to post links to their own blogs, other websites, or books (or other creative works) in the comments.

For the 500th post (that’s this one, of course), I’m doing something a little off-the-wall (lol) and I’m hoping that it helps someone or that y’all have some fun with it.

Since this post also comes on the heels of Autistic Pride Day (yay!!), maybe this will have some extra meaning (?).  It’s my way of also celebrating that. 🙂

So what am I doing?

I’m creating a Blogger Award of sorts: The Autistic Pride Award.

Very relaxed and informal, of course.  There’s no pressure.  No having to think up people to tag and invite.

The rules are really simple…

1. Whoever wants to participate, participate.  I’m focusing primarily on Asperger’s/autistic people, of course, but anyone who supports autistic people and neurodiversity is welcome!
2. Do link back to the blogger who gave you the idea
3. Do link back to this blog as the original creator.
4. Describe a bit about yourself.  However much you feel comfortable saying.
5. List your main “special interests” or areas of primary focus/niche specialties.
6. If you’re on the spectrum yourself, describe why you’re proud to be Aspergian/autistic or what you like about being Aspergian/autistic.
7. If you’re not on the spectrum yourself, you can use this opportunity to describe a loved one in your life who is and what makes them awesome, or you can explain what autism means to you and why you think the world would be a better place if it were to be more embracing of autism.
8. (Of course, you can answer more than one!  For example, someone who is autistic can also describe how much better the world would be if it was more open toward autism.)
9. If you like, you can list other blogs or resources that are autism/neurodiversity-positive, to give them a shout-out, too.

That’s it. 🙂

My main “special interests” are (a more thorough listing of past and present interests can be found here):

• Natural and integrative medicine
• Asperger’s/autism spectrum conditions (of course!)
• Blogging (duh) 😉
• Human biochemistry
• Legos (how stereotypical of me, but it’s true!)
• Digital art (gazing, collecting)
• Music
• Martial arts
• Cultures
• World religions, philosophy

What I like about being (why I’m proud to be) Aspergian/autistic:

It’s an alternative way of thinking, of living, of being.  It gives me the ability to see the world in a different way and to contribute something different to the world.  It gives me the ability to hyper-focus for hours when necessary.  As an Asperger’s/autistic person, I see patterns and connections that I might otherwise not see.  The world is a more interesting place with us in it. 🙂

Other blogs and resources can be found in the previous every-100th-posts linked to above, and also on my resources page of this blog.  Lots of excellent sites and posts there! 😀

I apologize that this post (or at least parts of it) may come across as a bit of a cop-out; life became very interesting very quickly recently (lol), and I’m still getting used to a “new normal” until either treatment or surgery.  But I’m getting through each day!  And I’m not leaving or closing this blog.  😀

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