I dance because I cannot walk the ground
I dance because I cannot walk the ground it is too strange I must count one two
one two three autistic people are given
one two three autistic people are given many different kinds of labels by the
many different kinds of labels by the
many different kinds of labels by the non artistic world one of them is clumsy
non artistic world one of them is clumsy
non artistic world one of them is clumsy and by that measure I suppose I am it is
and by that measure I suppose I am it is
and by that measure I suppose I am it is a conscious effort for me to walk in a
a conscious effort for me to walk in a
a conscious effort for me to walk in a straight line navigate across bumpy
straight line navigate across bumpy
straight line navigate across bumpy surfaces and stroll and chat at the same
surfaces and stroll and chat at the same
surfaces and stroll and chat at the same time yet
time yet
time yet how does clumsiness explain the ability
how does clumsiness explain the ability
how does clumsiness explain the ability to dance when there is music my body
to dance when there is music my body
to dance when there is music my body becomes freed from the tyranny of the
becomes freed from the tyranny of the
becomes freed from the tyranny of the walk and the ground doesn’t seem so
walk and the ground doesn’t seem so
walk and the ground doesn’t seem so daunting anymore another description
daunting anymore another description
daunting anymore another description that autistic people cringe at is that
that autistic people cringe at is that
that autistic people cringe at is that we suffer from autism we do not suffer
we suffer from autism we do not suffer
we suffer from autism we do not suffer from autism but we do suffer from social
from autism but we do suffer from social
from autism but we do suffer from social discrimination stigma and ignorant
discrimination stigma and ignorant
discrimination stigma and ignorant misrepresentation
misrepresentation
misrepresentation how about patronizing condescension we
how about patronizing condescension we
how about patronizing condescension we face that a lot of the time so what is
face that a lot of the time so what is
face that a lot of the time so what is autism autism is a difference in
autism autism is a difference in
autism autism is a difference in neurological function it is the way my
neurological function it is the way my
neurological function it is the way my brain works that is not the same as the
brain works that is not the same as the
brain works that is not the same as the norm the medical model of autism paints
norm the medical model of autism paints
norm the medical model of autism paints autism as a bleak barren existence
autism as a bleak barren existence
autism as a bleak barren existence devoid of empathy lacking in social
devoid of empathy lacking in social
devoid of empathy lacking in social reciprocity and mired in monotonous
reciprocity and mired in monotonous
reciprocity and mired in monotonous repetition in truth the autistics world
repetition in truth the autistics world
repetition in truth the autistics world is a rich thriving e-collar
is a rich thriving e-collar
is a rich thriving e-collar gee a multi-sensorial experiences and
gee a multi-sensorial experiences and
gee a multi-sensorial experiences and insights with juxtapositions of acute
insights with juxtapositions of acute
insights with juxtapositions of acute challenges unusual abilities and
challenges unusual abilities and
challenges unusual abilities and everything else in between autism
everything else in between autism
everything else in between autism awareness seems to be a trendy topic
awareness seems to be a trendy topic
awareness seems to be a trendy topic nowadays with all kinds of events
nowadays with all kinds of events
nowadays with all kinds of events organized in the name of autism by
organized in the name of autism by
organized in the name of autism by mostly non autistic persons just what
mostly non autistic persons just what
mostly non autistic persons just what are you being made aware of and where
are you being made aware of and where
are you being made aware of and where are the actually autistic voices in this
are the actually autistic voices in this
are the actually autistic voices in this grand cacophony of opinions and
grand cacophony of opinions and
grand cacophony of opinions and interpretations well here’s the reality
interpretations well here’s the reality
interpretations well here’s the reality autistics live in a world designed by
autistics live in a world designed by
autistics live in a world designed by the normative where non logistics armed
the normative where non logistics armed
the normative where non logistics armed only with the medical model claimed
only with the medical model claimed
only with the medical model claimed expertise despite having little or no
expertise despite having little or no
expertise despite having little or no understanding of actual lives experience
understanding of actual lives experience
understanding of actual lives experience meanwhile the actual autistic people
meanwhile the actual autistic people
meanwhile the actual autistic people some even highly qualified professionals
some even highly qualified professionals
some even highly qualified professionals struggle to make their voices heard on
struggle to make their voices heard on
struggle to make their voices heard on the audism platform which is about us
the audism platform which is about us
the audism platform which is about us and should belong to us in 2017
and should belong to us in 2017
and should belong to us in 2017 I stumbled across a top University’s
I stumbled across a top University’s
I stumbled across a top University’s School of Medicine audism resource
School of Medicine audism resource
School of Medicine audism resource webpage to my horror the word disease
webpage to my horror the word disease
webpage to my horror the word disease was used to describe autism that’s not
was used to describe autism that’s not
was used to describe autism that’s not only inaccurate and outdated is
only inaccurate and outdated is
only inaccurate and outdated is certainly insulting to autistic people
certainly insulting to autistic people
certainly insulting to autistic people I sent them two emails which were
I sent them two emails which were
I sent them two emails which were ignored many months later my
ignored many months later my
ignored many months later my non-autistic colleague wrote to them
non-autistic colleague wrote to them
non-autistic colleague wrote to them guess what the offensive word
guess what the offensive word
guess what the offensive word miraculously immediately disappeared
miraculously immediately disappeared
miraculously immediately disappeared this is the kind of social political
this is the kind of social political
this is the kind of social political climate in which autistic people are
climate in which autistic people are
climate in which autistic people are forced to live a major paradigm change
forced to live a major paradigm change
forced to live a major paradigm change is urgently needed how can artistically
is urgently needed how can artistically
is urgently needed how can artistically Perot and thrive not despite autism but
Perot and thrive not despite autism but
Perot and thrive not despite autism but because of the unique features and what
because of the unique features and what
because of the unique features and what can society learn from autistic people
can society learn from autistic people
can society learn from autistic people well first accept respect and embrace it
well first accept respect and embrace it
well first accept respect and embrace it is time to move beyond mere awareness of
is time to move beyond mere awareness of
is time to move beyond mere awareness of autism as uncomfortable anomaly and into
autism as uncomfortable anomaly and into
autism as uncomfortable anomaly and into accepting and embracing autism as a
accepting and embracing autism as a
accepting and embracing autism as a natural variation of human
natural variation of human
natural variation of human neurodiversity there should be equity
neurodiversity there should be equity
neurodiversity there should be equity and respect just like anybody autistic
and respect just like anybody autistic
and respect just like anybody autistic people come from all walks of life with
people come from all walks of life with
people come from all walks of life with different dreams and hopes struggles and
different dreams and hopes struggles and
different dreams and hopes struggles and abilities every person has a narrative a
abilities every person has a narrative a
abilities every person has a narrative a story to tell
story to tell
story to tell listen to us especially on matters
listen to us especially on matters
listen to us especially on matters concerning us and then advocate I am a
concerning us and then advocate I am a
concerning us and then advocate I am a board member of the disabled people’s
board member of the disabled people’s
board member of the disabled people’s Association Singapore an advocacy
Association Singapore an advocacy
Association Singapore an advocacy organization that believes in the
organization that believes in the
organization that believes in the statement nothing about us without us at
statement nothing about us without us at
statement nothing about us without us at the DPA training is were provided to
the DPA training is were provided to
the DPA training is were provided to members who wish to learn how to
members who wish to learn how to
members who wish to learn how to advocate and to develop leadership
advocate and to develop leadership
advocate and to develop leadership potential
potential
potential well advocating on behalf of autistic
well advocating on behalf of autistic
well advocating on behalf of autistic people is wonderful but not enough we
people is wonderful but not enough we
people is wonderful but not enough we have to
have to
have to advocate for ourselves with or without
advocate for ourselves with or without
advocate for ourselves with or without words everybody can learn to advocate
words everybody can learn to advocate
words everybody can learn to advocate even very young children can do this and
even very young children can do this and
even very young children can do this and you will be surprised at how much we can
you will be surprised at how much we can
you will be surprised at how much we can contribute not only to the audism
contribute not only to the audism
contribute not only to the audism discourse but to wider social inclusion
discover and empathize have you ever
discover and empathize have you ever made the effort to find out why we do
made the effort to find out why we do
made the effort to find out why we do the things that seem so strange to you
the things that seem so strange to you
the things that seem so strange to you why does some autistics find it painful
why does some autistics find it painful
why does some autistics find it painful to look you in the eye and does it make
to look you in the eye and does it make
to look you in the eye and does it make you uncomfortable
you uncomfortable
you uncomfortable when you see us flapping our hands
when you see us flapping our hands
when you see us flapping our hands spinning around or fidgeting
spinning around or fidgeting
spinning around or fidgeting we call that stimming did you know that
we call that stimming did you know that
we call that stimming did you know that stimming can be a calming activity for
stimming can be a calming activity for
stimming can be a calming activity for our nervous energy and anxieties or ways
our nervous energy and anxieties or ways
our nervous energy and anxieties or ways to express unspoken emotions like love
to express unspoken emotions like love
to express unspoken emotions like love joy excitement and distress why do some
joy excitement and distress why do some
joy excitement and distress why do some autistics seem to connect better with
autistics seem to connect better with
autistics seem to connect better with animals than with other human beings
this is Lucy like a charm
this is Lucy like a charm trained to mitigate my sensory anxiety
trained to mitigate my sensory anxiety
trained to mitigate my sensory anxiety we belong to the organization mind dog
we belong to the organization mind dog
we belong to the organization mind dog Australia rescued from the cruel
Australia rescued from the cruel
Australia rescued from the cruel greyhound racing industry lucy is now my
greyhound racing industry lucy is now my
greyhound racing industry lucy is now my muse and closest companion to me lucy is
muse and closest companion to me lucy is
muse and closest companion to me lucy is not just a substitute cute human on four
not just a substitute cute human on four
not just a substitute cute human on four legs instead I cherish her canine
legs instead I cherish her canine
legs instead I cherish her canine embodiment as different from my human
embodiment as different from my human
embodiment as different from my human one and it is this very difference that
one and it is this very difference that
one and it is this very difference that unites us together in our shared space
unites us together in our shared space
unites us together in our shared space in time in my PhD dissertation I coined
in time in my PhD dissertation I coined
in time in my PhD dissertation I coined the term
the term
the term Clement space inspired by Lucy’s gentle
Clement space inspired by Lucy’s gentle
Clement space inspired by Lucy’s gentle wordless example she has taught me the
wordless example she has taught me the
wordless example she has taught me the importance of seeking and creating
importance of seeking and creating
importance of seeking and creating pockets of calm and restoration
pockets of calm and restoration
pockets of calm and restoration everywhere we go this is to reclaim
everywhere we go this is to reclaim
everywhere we go this is to reclaim sensory equilibrium and strength for the
sensory equilibrium and strength for the
sensory equilibrium and strength for the journey ahead without burning out or
journey ahead without burning out or
journey ahead without burning out or melting down perhaps the reason so many
melting down perhaps the reason so many
melting down perhaps the reason so many autistic people find it easier to
autistic people find it easier to
autistic people find it easier to connect with animals is the empathic
connect with animals is the empathic
connect with animals is the empathic connection and appreciation of
connection and appreciation of
connection and appreciation of difference rather than insistence on
difference rather than insistence on
difference rather than insistence on bland uniformity ironically instead of
bland uniformity ironically instead of
bland uniformity ironically instead of being empathy impaired autistics and the
being empathy impaired autistics and the
being empathy impaired autistics and the animals can teach the world a lot about
animals can teach the world a lot about
animals can teach the world a lot about empathy if you care to learn what about
empathy if you care to learn what about
empathy if you care to learn what about ability and disability some autistics
ability and disability some autistics
ability and disability some autistics may find it difficult to do sudden daily
may find it difficult to do sudden daily
may find it difficult to do sudden daily tasks like time shoelaces and others are
tasks like time shoelaces and others are
tasks like time shoelaces and others are unable to communicate in the language
unable to communicate in the language
unable to communicate in the language that the normative can comprehend this
that the normative can comprehend this
that the normative can comprehend this does not mean that we have no intellect
does not mean that we have no intellect
does not mean that we have no intellect it does not mean that we do not
it does not mean that we do not
it does not mean that we do not understand or fear what you are saying
understand or fear what you are saying
understand or fear what you are saying so please do not talk over us as if
so please do not talk over us as if
so please do not talk over us as if we’re not there acknowledges presume
we’re not there acknowledges presume
we’re not there acknowledges presume competence it is not hard to do our
competence it is not hard to do our
competence it is not hard to do our autistic world is so full that we may
autistic world is so full that we may
autistic world is so full that we may react in ways that are different and to
react in ways that are different and to
react in ways that are different and to things that you may not even notice at
things that you may not even notice at
things that you may not even notice at all
all
all we’re not smiling at nothing we’re not
we’re not smiling at nothing we’re not
we’re not smiling at nothing we’re not crying for nothing and we’re certainly
crying for nothing and we’re certainly
crying for nothing and we’re certainly not
not
not engrossed in vacuous monotony have you
engrossed in vacuous monotony have you
engrossed in vacuous monotony have you ever stopped to consider that perhaps
ever stopped to consider that perhaps
ever stopped to consider that perhaps those people you call low functioning
those people you call low functioning
those people you call low functioning are actually engaging in intimate
are actually engaging in intimate
are actually engaging in intimate conversations with a complex universe
conversations with a complex universe
conversations with a complex universe that is far more magnificent than yours
that is far more magnificent than yours
that is far more magnificent than yours welcome to my world I am autistic this
welcome to my world I am autistic this
welcome to my world I am autistic this is my brain this is my body and this is
is my brain this is my body and this is
is my brain this is my body and this is my life journey thus far I’ve spoken
my life journey thus far I’ve spoken
my life journey thus far I’ve spoken about how you the normative may help
about how you the normative may help
about how you the normative may help autistic people grow and thrive
autistic people grow and thrive
autistic people grow and thrive well the favor isn’t just one way when
well the favor isn’t just one way when
well the favor isn’t just one way when we flourish so will you two now let me
we flourish so will you two now let me
we flourish so will you two now let me invite you into my domain and share with
invite you into my domain and share with
invite you into my domain and share with you some ways of appreciating the world
you some ways of appreciating the world
you some ways of appreciating the world from within my autistic paradigm
inside the Clement space of my own where
inside the Clement space of my own where there is sensory peace there is
there is sensory peace there is
there is sensory peace there is amazement and delight things that are
amazement and delight things that are
amazement and delight things that are intrusive and assaultive when
intrusive and assaultive when
intrusive and assaultive when experienced in the normative context
experienced in the normative context
experienced in the normative context lights sounds textures smells could fill
lights sounds textures smells could fill
lights sounds textures smells could fill me with wonder when I engage with them
me with wonder when I engage with them
me with wonder when I engage with them on my own terms inside my own space of
on my own terms inside my own space of
on my own terms inside my own space of mind think through the body whatever
mind think through the body whatever
mind think through the body whatever body you may possess sense and therefore
body you may possess sense and therefore
body you may possess sense and therefore exist since your senses and allow your
exist since your senses and allow your
exist since your senses and allow your senses to sense your feet and everything
senses to sense your feet and everything
senses to sense your feet and everything around you to the non-autistic it may
around you to the non-autistic it may
around you to the non-autistic it may seem that autistic person lives in a
seem that autistic person lives in a
seem that autistic person lives in a vacuum but is the complete opposite
vacuum but is the complete opposite
vacuum but is the complete opposite communicate with and through your senses
communicate with and through your senses
communicate with and through your senses elements that continuously impact your
elements that continuously impact your
elements that continuously impact your body every nerve every fiber the
body every nerve every fiber the
body every nerve every fiber the smallest most insignificant detail can
smallest most insignificant detail can
smallest most insignificant detail can be extremely important become truly
be extremely important become truly
be extremely important become truly aware of every vibration from the
aware of every vibration from the
aware of every vibration from the minuscule to the colossal even the
minuscule to the colossal even the
minuscule to the colossal even the reverberations and echoes that your body
reverberations and echoes that your body
reverberations and echoes that your body creates begin with the most basic tiny
creates begin with the most basic tiny
creates begin with the most basic tiny organisms remember imprint expand then
organisms remember imprint expand then
organisms remember imprint expand then reach outward sensing every variation as
reach outward sensing every variation as
reach outward sensing every variation as they greet touch and intertwine
they greet touch and intertwine
they greet touch and intertwine [Music]
[Music]
[Music] and then remember imprint expand notice
and then remember imprint expand notice
and then remember imprint expand notice how independent entities meet
how independent entities meet
from different entities patterns and
from different entities patterns and rhythm this is not meaningless
rhythm this is not meaningless
rhythm this is not meaningless repetition it is enchanting organic
repetition it is enchanting organic
repetition it is enchanting organic development
if you approach the luscious fabric of
if you approach the luscious fabric of creativity in this way
you will not be confounded
you will not be confounded because the truth will be sensed inside
because the truth will be sensed inside
because the truth will be sensed inside your very being imagine a world in which
your very being imagine a world in which
your very being imagine a world in which different kinds of Minds come together
different kinds of Minds come together
different kinds of Minds come together to share unique strengths and
to share unique strengths and
to share unique strengths and inspiration
inspiration
inspiration imagine safer inclusive communities
imagine safer inclusive communities
imagine safer inclusive communities where each individual is embraced
where each individual is embraced
where each individual is embraced imagine a neuro cosmopolitan culture of
imagine a neuro cosmopolitan culture of
imagine a neuro cosmopolitan culture of vibrant energy it is not my purpose to
vibrant energy it is not my purpose to
vibrant energy it is not my purpose to fix what is broken but to empower beauty
fix what is broken but to empower beauty
fix what is broken but to empower beauty in the vulnerable and the unnoticed
dancing with my shadows whispering good
dancing with my shadows whispering good night
night
night humming silent wishes smiling deep
humming silent wishes smiling deep
humming silent wishes smiling deep inside dancing with my shadows jar full
inside dancing with my shadows jar full
inside dancing with my shadows jar full of moonbeams come lay down beside me
of moonbeams come lay down beside me
of moonbeams come lay down beside me wake up in my dreams
I dance because I cannot walk the ground it is too strange I must count one two
one two three autistic people are given
one two three autistic people are given many different kinds of labels by the
many different kinds of labels by the
many different kinds of labels by the non artistic world one of them is clumsy
non artistic world one of them is clumsy
non artistic world one of them is clumsy and by that measure I suppose I am it is
and by that measure I suppose I am it is
and by that measure I suppose I am it is a conscious effort for me to walk in a
a conscious effort for me to walk in a
a conscious effort for me to walk in a straight line navigate across bumpy
straight line navigate across bumpy
straight line navigate across bumpy surfaces and stroll and chat at the same
surfaces and stroll and chat at the same
surfaces and stroll and chat at the same time yet
time yet
time yet how does clumsiness explain the ability
how does clumsiness explain the ability
how does clumsiness explain the ability to dance when there is music my body
to dance when there is music my body
to dance when there is music my body becomes freed from the tyranny of the
becomes freed from the tyranny of the
becomes freed from the tyranny of the walk and the ground doesn’t seem so
walk and the ground doesn’t seem so
walk and the ground doesn’t seem so daunting anymore another description
daunting anymore another description
daunting anymore another description that autistic people cringe at is that
that autistic people cringe at is that
that autistic people cringe at is that we suffer from autism we do not suffer
we suffer from autism we do not suffer
we suffer from autism we do not suffer from autism but we do suffer from social
from autism but we do suffer from social
from autism but we do suffer from social discrimination stigma and ignorant
discrimination stigma and ignorant
discrimination stigma and ignorant misrepresentation
misrepresentation
misrepresentation how about patronizing condescension we
how about patronizing condescension we
how about patronizing condescension we face that a lot of the time so what is
face that a lot of the time so what is
face that a lot of the time so what is autism autism is a difference in
autism autism is a difference in
autism autism is a difference in neurological function it is the way my
neurological function it is the way my
neurological function it is the way my brain works that is not the same as the
brain works that is not the same as the
brain works that is not the same as the norm the medical model of autism paints
norm the medical model of autism paints
norm the medical model of autism paints autism as a bleak barren existence
autism as a bleak barren existence
autism as a bleak barren existence devoid of empathy lacking in social
devoid of empathy lacking in social
devoid of empathy lacking in social reciprocity and mired in monotonous
reciprocity and mired in monotonous
reciprocity and mired in monotonous repetition in truth the autistics world
repetition in truth the autistics world
repetition in truth the autistics world is a rich thriving e-collar
is a rich thriving e-collar
is a rich thriving e-collar gee a multi-sensorial experiences and
gee a multi-sensorial experiences and
gee a multi-sensorial experiences and insights with juxtapositions of acute
insights with juxtapositions of acute
insights with juxtapositions of acute challenges unusual abilities and
challenges unusual abilities and
challenges unusual abilities and everything else in between autism
everything else in between autism
everything else in between autism awareness seems to be a trendy topic
awareness seems to be a trendy topic
awareness seems to be a trendy topic nowadays with all kinds of events
nowadays with all kinds of events
nowadays with all kinds of events organized in the name of autism by
organized in the name of autism by
organized in the name of autism by mostly non autistic persons just what
mostly non autistic persons just what
mostly non autistic persons just what are you being made aware of and where
are you being made aware of and where
are you being made aware of and where are the actually autistic voices in this
are the actually autistic voices in this
are the actually autistic voices in this grand cacophony of opinions and
grand cacophony of opinions and
grand cacophony of opinions and interpretations well here’s the reality
interpretations well here’s the reality
interpretations well here’s the reality autistics live in a world designed by
autistics live in a world designed by
autistics live in a world designed by the normative where non logistics armed
the normative where non logistics armed
the normative where non logistics armed only with the medical model claimed
only with the medical model claimed
only with the medical model claimed expertise despite having little or no
expertise despite having little or no
expertise despite having little or no understanding of actual lives experience
understanding of actual lives experience
understanding of actual lives experience meanwhile the actual autistic people
meanwhile the actual autistic people
meanwhile the actual autistic people some even highly qualified professionals
some even highly qualified professionals
some even highly qualified professionals struggle to make their voices heard on
struggle to make their voices heard on
struggle to make their voices heard on the audism platform which is about us
the audism platform which is about us
the audism platform which is about us and should belong to us in 2017
and should belong to us in 2017
and should belong to us in 2017 I stumbled across a top University’s
I stumbled across a top University’s
I stumbled across a top University’s School of Medicine audism resource
School of Medicine audism resource
School of Medicine audism resource webpage to my horror the word disease
webpage to my horror the word disease
webpage to my horror the word disease was used to describe autism that’s not
was used to describe autism that’s not
was used to describe autism that’s not only inaccurate and outdated is
only inaccurate and outdated is
only inaccurate and outdated is certainly insulting to autistic people
certainly insulting to autistic people
certainly insulting to autistic people I sent them two emails which were
I sent them two emails which were
I sent them two emails which were ignored many months later my
ignored many months later my
ignored many months later my non-autistic colleague wrote to them
non-autistic colleague wrote to them
non-autistic colleague wrote to them guess what the offensive word
guess what the offensive word
guess what the offensive word miraculously immediately disappeared
miraculously immediately disappeared
miraculously immediately disappeared this is the kind of social political
this is the kind of social political
this is the kind of social political climate in which autistic people are
climate in which autistic people are
climate in which autistic people are forced to live a major paradigm change
forced to live a major paradigm change
forced to live a major paradigm change is urgently needed how can artistically
is urgently needed how can artistically
is urgently needed how can artistically Perot and thrive not despite autism but
Perot and thrive not despite autism but
Perot and thrive not despite autism but because of the unique features and what
because of the unique features and what
because of the unique features and what can society learn from autistic people
can society learn from autistic people
can society learn from autistic people well first accept respect and embrace it
well first accept respect and embrace it
well first accept respect and embrace it is time to move beyond mere awareness of
is time to move beyond mere awareness of
is time to move beyond mere awareness of autism as uncomfortable anomaly and into
autism as uncomfortable anomaly and into
autism as uncomfortable anomaly and into accepting and embracing autism as a
accepting and embracing autism as a
accepting and embracing autism as a natural variation of human
natural variation of human
natural variation of human neurodiversity there should be equity
neurodiversity there should be equity
neurodiversity there should be equity and respect just like anybody autistic
and respect just like anybody autistic
and respect just like anybody autistic people come from all walks of life with
people come from all walks of life with
people come from all walks of life with different dreams and hopes struggles and
different dreams and hopes struggles and
different dreams and hopes struggles and abilities every person has a narrative a
abilities every person has a narrative a
abilities every person has a narrative a story to tell
story to tell
story to tell listen to us especially on matters
listen to us especially on matters
listen to us especially on matters concerning us and then advocate I am a
concerning us and then advocate I am a
concerning us and then advocate I am a board member of the disabled people’s
board member of the disabled people’s
board member of the disabled people’s Association Singapore an advocacy
Association Singapore an advocacy
Association Singapore an advocacy organization that believes in the
organization that believes in the
organization that believes in the statement nothing about us without us at
statement nothing about us without us at
statement nothing about us without us at the DPA training is were provided to
the DPA training is were provided to
the DPA training is were provided to members who wish to learn how to
members who wish to learn how to
members who wish to learn how to advocate and to develop leadership
advocate and to develop leadership
advocate and to develop leadership potential
potential
potential well advocating on behalf of autistic
well advocating on behalf of autistic
well advocating on behalf of autistic people is wonderful but not enough we
people is wonderful but not enough we
people is wonderful but not enough we have to
have to
have to advocate for ourselves with or without
advocate for ourselves with or without
advocate for ourselves with or without words everybody can learn to advocate
words everybody can learn to advocate
words everybody can learn to advocate even very young children can do this and
even very young children can do this and
even very young children can do this and you will be surprised at how much we can
you will be surprised at how much we can
you will be surprised at how much we can contribute not only to the audism
contribute not only to the audism
contribute not only to the audism discourse but to wider social inclusion
discover and empathize have you ever
discover and empathize have you ever made the effort to find out why we do
made the effort to find out why we do
made the effort to find out why we do the things that seem so strange to you
the things that seem so strange to you
the things that seem so strange to you why does some autistics find it painful
why does some autistics find it painful
why does some autistics find it painful to look you in the eye and does it make
to look you in the eye and does it make
to look you in the eye and does it make you uncomfortable
you uncomfortable
you uncomfortable when you see us flapping our hands
when you see us flapping our hands
when you see us flapping our hands spinning around or fidgeting
spinning around or fidgeting
spinning around or fidgeting we call that stimming did you know that
we call that stimming did you know that
we call that stimming did you know that stimming can be a calming activity for
stimming can be a calming activity for
stimming can be a calming activity for our nervous energy and anxieties or ways
our nervous energy and anxieties or ways
our nervous energy and anxieties or ways to express unspoken emotions like love
to express unspoken emotions like love
to express unspoken emotions like love joy excitement and distress why do some
joy excitement and distress why do some
joy excitement and distress why do some autistics seem to connect better with
autistics seem to connect better with
autistics seem to connect better with animals than with other human beings
this is Lucy like a charm
this is Lucy like a charm trained to mitigate my sensory anxiety
trained to mitigate my sensory anxiety
trained to mitigate my sensory anxiety we belong to the organization mind dog
we belong to the organization mind dog
we belong to the organization mind dog Australia rescued from the cruel
Australia rescued from the cruel
Australia rescued from the cruel greyhound racing industry lucy is now my
greyhound racing industry lucy is now my
greyhound racing industry lucy is now my muse and closest companion to me lucy is
muse and closest companion to me lucy is
muse and closest companion to me lucy is not just a substitute cute human on four
not just a substitute cute human on four
not just a substitute cute human on four legs instead I cherish her canine
legs instead I cherish her canine
legs instead I cherish her canine embodiment as different from my human
embodiment as different from my human
embodiment as different from my human one and it is this very difference that
one and it is this very difference that
one and it is this very difference that unites us together in our shared space
unites us together in our shared space
unites us together in our shared space in time in my PhD dissertation I coined
in time in my PhD dissertation I coined
in time in my PhD dissertation I coined the term
the term
the term Clement space inspired by Lucy’s gentle
Clement space inspired by Lucy’s gentle
Clement space inspired by Lucy’s gentle wordless example she has taught me the
wordless example she has taught me the
wordless example she has taught me the importance of seeking and creating
importance of seeking and creating
importance of seeking and creating pockets of calm and restoration
pockets of calm and restoration
pockets of calm and restoration everywhere we go this is to reclaim
everywhere we go this is to reclaim
everywhere we go this is to reclaim sensory equilibrium and strength for the
sensory equilibrium and strength for the
sensory equilibrium and strength for the journey ahead without burning out or
journey ahead without burning out or
journey ahead without burning out or melting down perhaps the reason so many
melting down perhaps the reason so many
melting down perhaps the reason so many autistic people find it easier to
autistic people find it easier to
autistic people find it easier to connect with animals is the empathic
connect with animals is the empathic
connect with animals is the empathic connection and appreciation of
connection and appreciation of
connection and appreciation of difference rather than insistence on
difference rather than insistence on
difference rather than insistence on bland uniformity ironically instead of
bland uniformity ironically instead of
bland uniformity ironically instead of being empathy impaired autistics and the
being empathy impaired autistics and the
being empathy impaired autistics and the animals can teach the world a lot about
animals can teach the world a lot about
animals can teach the world a lot about empathy if you care to learn what about
empathy if you care to learn what about
empathy if you care to learn what about ability and disability some autistics
ability and disability some autistics
ability and disability some autistics may find it difficult to do sudden daily
may find it difficult to do sudden daily
may find it difficult to do sudden daily tasks like time shoelaces and others are
tasks like time shoelaces and others are
tasks like time shoelaces and others are unable to communicate in the language
unable to communicate in the language
unable to communicate in the language that the normative can comprehend this
that the normative can comprehend this
that the normative can comprehend this does not mean that we have no intellect
does not mean that we have no intellect
does not mean that we have no intellect it does not mean that we do not
it does not mean that we do not
it does not mean that we do not understand or fear what you are saying
understand or fear what you are saying
understand or fear what you are saying so please do not talk over us as if
so please do not talk over us as if
so please do not talk over us as if we’re not there acknowledges presume
we’re not there acknowledges presume
we’re not there acknowledges presume competence it is not hard to do our
competence it is not hard to do our
competence it is not hard to do our autistic world is so full that we may
autistic world is so full that we may
autistic world is so full that we may react in ways that are different and to
react in ways that are different and to
react in ways that are different and to things that you may not even notice at
things that you may not even notice at
things that you may not even notice at all
all
all we’re not smiling at nothing we’re not
we’re not smiling at nothing we’re not
we’re not smiling at nothing we’re not crying for nothing and we’re certainly
crying for nothing and we’re certainly
crying for nothing and we’re certainly not
not
not engrossed in vacuous monotony have you
engrossed in vacuous monotony have you
engrossed in vacuous monotony have you ever stopped to consider that perhaps
ever stopped to consider that perhaps
ever stopped to consider that perhaps those people you call low functioning
those people you call low functioning
those people you call low functioning are actually engaging in intimate
are actually engaging in intimate
are actually engaging in intimate conversations with a complex universe
conversations with a complex universe
conversations with a complex universe that is far more magnificent than yours
that is far more magnificent than yours
that is far more magnificent than yours welcome to my world I am autistic this
welcome to my world I am autistic this
welcome to my world I am autistic this is my brain this is my body and this is
is my brain this is my body and this is
is my brain this is my body and this is my life journey thus far I’ve spoken
my life journey thus far I’ve spoken
my life journey thus far I’ve spoken about how you the normative may help
about how you the normative may help
about how you the normative may help autistic people grow and thrive
autistic people grow and thrive
autistic people grow and thrive well the favor isn’t just one way when
well the favor isn’t just one way when
well the favor isn’t just one way when we flourish so will you two now let me
we flourish so will you two now let me
we flourish so will you two now let me invite you into my domain and share with
invite you into my domain and share with
invite you into my domain and share with you some ways of appreciating the world
you some ways of appreciating the world
you some ways of appreciating the world from within my autistic paradigm
inside the Clement space of my own where
inside the Clement space of my own where there is sensory peace there is
there is sensory peace there is
there is sensory peace there is amazement and delight things that are
amazement and delight things that are
amazement and delight things that are intrusive and assaultive when
intrusive and assaultive when
intrusive and assaultive when experienced in the normative context
experienced in the normative context
experienced in the normative context lights sounds textures smells could fill
lights sounds textures smells could fill
lights sounds textures smells could fill me with wonder when I engage with them
me with wonder when I engage with them
me with wonder when I engage with them on my own terms inside my own space of
on my own terms inside my own space of
on my own terms inside my own space of mind think through the body whatever
mind think through the body whatever
mind think through the body whatever body you may possess sense and therefore
body you may possess sense and therefore
body you may possess sense and therefore exist since your senses and allow your
exist since your senses and allow your
exist since your senses and allow your senses to sense your feet and everything
senses to sense your feet and everything
senses to sense your feet and everything around you to the non-autistic it may
around you to the non-autistic it may
around you to the non-autistic it may seem that autistic person lives in a
seem that autistic person lives in a
seem that autistic person lives in a vacuum but is the complete opposite
vacuum but is the complete opposite
vacuum but is the complete opposite communicate with and through your senses
communicate with and through your senses
communicate with and through your senses elements that continuously impact your
elements that continuously impact your
elements that continuously impact your body every nerve every fiber the
body every nerve every fiber the
body every nerve every fiber the smallest most insignificant detail can
smallest most insignificant detail can
smallest most insignificant detail can be extremely important become truly
be extremely important become truly
be extremely important become truly aware of every vibration from the
aware of every vibration from the
aware of every vibration from the minuscule to the colossal even the
minuscule to the colossal even the
minuscule to the colossal even the reverberations and echoes that your body
reverberations and echoes that your body
reverberations and echoes that your body creates begin with the most basic tiny
creates begin with the most basic tiny
creates begin with the most basic tiny organisms remember imprint expand then
organisms remember imprint expand then
organisms remember imprint expand then reach outward sensing every variation as
reach outward sensing every variation as
reach outward sensing every variation as they greet touch and intertwine
they greet touch and intertwine
they greet touch and intertwine [Music]
[Music]
[Music] and then remember imprint expand notice
and then remember imprint expand notice
and then remember imprint expand notice how independent entities meet
how independent entities meet
from different entities patterns and
from different entities patterns and rhythm this is not meaningless
rhythm this is not meaningless
rhythm this is not meaningless repetition it is enchanting organic
repetition it is enchanting organic
repetition it is enchanting organic development
if you approach the luscious fabric of
if you approach the luscious fabric of creativity in this way
you will not be confounded
you will not be confounded because the truth will be sensed inside
because the truth will be sensed inside
because the truth will be sensed inside your very being imagine a world in which
your very being imagine a world in which
your very being imagine a world in which different kinds of Minds come together
different kinds of Minds come together
different kinds of Minds come together to share unique strengths and
to share unique strengths and
to share unique strengths and inspiration
inspiration
inspiration imagine safer inclusive communities
imagine safer inclusive communities
imagine safer inclusive communities where each individual is embraced
where each individual is embraced
where each individual is embraced imagine a neuro cosmopolitan culture of
imagine a neuro cosmopolitan culture of
imagine a neuro cosmopolitan culture of vibrant energy it is not my purpose to
vibrant energy it is not my purpose to
vibrant energy it is not my purpose to fix what is broken but to empower beauty
fix what is broken but to empower beauty
fix what is broken but to empower beauty in the vulnerable and the unnoticed
dancing with my shadows whispering good
dancing with my shadows whispering good night
night
night humming silent wishes smiling deep
humming silent wishes smiling deep
humming silent wishes smiling deep inside dancing with my shadows jar full
inside dancing with my shadows jar full
inside dancing with my shadows jar full of moonbeams come lay down beside me
of moonbeams come lay down beside me
of moonbeams come lay down beside me wake up in my dreams
Please follow and like us: