The Art of Being Asperger Woman

Summer Moves On

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:47:00 PDT

Summer Time brings the joy of strawberries from my own garden, long evenings, and ofcourse Summer Holiday. One does not have to travel far to be able to enjoy Summer at it's best. Surrounded by nature and not too far away from culture, library, friends summer life is good. And what about just staying home and do some gardening? This year many Dutch people choose to spend their vacation in our own country because of the economic situation. This week it was announced that 1:10 people is expected to become jobless in 2010 in The Netherlands!! I feel lucky to have a regular income because of my Disabilty Insurance Act payment. Despite the negative news about the economic crisis, I realise that we live however in a rich (First) world. We do not have to worry about a daily struggle to get food, this week it was announced that more people than ever worldwide are said to suffer from lack of food.

Since my last blogpost lots of things happened. And many more things come up.
I will take a break from blogging daily from June 19th till July 21st, 2009.
When there is need to write, I'll write, but not on a daily base.
After this summer break, the blog will continue.

Wishing you all a perfect Summer!

Blogging Slow Life

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:26:00 PDT

Oops, this morning I realised that I had forgotten something yesterday...uh...well blogging... That means the line of daily blogs from January 1st till December 31st, 2009 has been interrupted...Ah.., kind of pity, but not a major disaster.

I might take a blogging time out these days, or my blogging will continue but on a low profile. A writers block, garden special interest and summertime are the reasons I write less about autism.

Will back soon, in a few days or so. After all, blogging is a kind of daily routine now...

They make my day!

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:58:00 PDT

The peonies from my parent's garden make my day! Each day is a new adventure to see how they grow and shine all over the room. They smell delicious too!

Here are some pictures of my garden. Gardening is for me a perfect way to exercise, make my head empty and to enjoy nature.

Click on the title of this blogpost to be forwarded to a peonies specialist.

Enjoy!

Undetected autism in women manifests as anorexia nervosa

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:50:00 PDT

Undetected autism in women manifests as anorexia nervosa

Shared via AddThis

Autism & Food: Anorexia & Autism

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:45:00 PDT

There seems to be a link between Autism and Anorexia. Does not surprise me. The problems with eating, the low self esteem etc.

A GROWING appreciation of the links between anorexia and autism spectrum disorders has uncovered new opportunities for treating the eating disorder.

Mental health professionals are now attempting to train the brains of people with anorexia to be more flexible and to see the big picture as well as fine details. In doing so, they hope patients will be less inclined to obsess about body weight and calories and be better equipped to overcome their eating disorder in the long term, as well as gaining weight more immediately.

Last month, the international Academy for Eating Disorders published a paper calling for eating disorders (EDs) such as anorexia and bulimia to receive the same degree of healthcare as other biologically based mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) (International Journal of Eating Disorders, DOI: 10.1002/eat.20589). Other groups are even calling for anorexia to be placed in the same diagnostic category as autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

The main reason for this change is a growing understanding of the biological basis of EDs. Twin studies suggest that between 50 and 83 per cent of EDs have a genetic basis. Now, evidence suggests that people with anorexia have cognitive traits associated with ASD. "Eating disorders and autism spectrum disorders are obviously not the same thing, but they do have some things in common," says Janet Treasure of the Institute of Psychiatry in London.

Anorexia and autism are obviously not the same thing, but they have some things in common
Treasure had already discovered that anorexia was associated with extreme attention to detail and a rigid, inflexible style of thinking - traits also associated with ASD.

To investigate further, her team used neuropsychological tests to measure central coherence, or the ability to see the big picture as well as the finer details, in 42 women with anorexia and 42 without it. Women with anorexia had weaker central coherence, with a bias towards local, rather than global processing (International Journal of Eating Disorders, vol 41, p 143).

In a separate study, Treasure and her colleagues found that 45 per cent of people with anorexia or bulimia have problems "set-shifting", or modifying their behaviour in response to changing goals, compared to just 10 per cent of healthy people.

This type of focused thinking can be a beneficial skill, but when thinking becomes obsessive, for example, it can be destructive, says Treasure, who presented her results at a meeting of the British Psychological Society in Brighton, earlier this month.

In another series of studies, Treasure's team, together with Kate Tchanturia, also of the Institute of Psychiatry, assessed empathy, systemising ability, and other traits on the autistic spectrum in 22 women with anorexia and 45 without it. They found that although those with the eating disorder didn't differ from healthy women in terms of empathising or systemising, they did show elevated scores on other autistic traits like poorer social skills, and greater attention to detail (British Journal of Clinical Psychology, DOI: 10.1348/014466507x272475).

Simon Baron-Cohen of the Autism Research Centre in Cambridge, UK, is also measuring whether adolescents with anorexia score higher on autistic traits than healthy people, as he suspects that some of them may actually have undiagnosed Asperger's syndrome. "We have always known that Asperger's syndrome was diagnosed more often in males," he says. "The new question is whether it takes a different form in females, and can account for at least a subgroup of those who are diagnosed with anorexia."

If it does, this could have important implications for the way that anorexia is treated. "As well as treating the 'eating disorder' the clinician and the patient might [also] focus on social skills," says Baron-Cohen, although he adds that weight gain would remain a key target.

Tchanturia is already conducting a study in around 30 people with anorexia, who are having cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) to encourage flexible and bigger-picture thinking. For example, patients are given an exercise in which they have to summarise several pages of text, to practice seeing the gist rather than the details. "We're putting the focus on how people think, rather than what people think," says Tchanturia.

The technique has already had some success - in a pilot study of 19 patients with anorexia, 17 patients said they felt it helped them to think more flexibly - although it's too early to say whether it will help their anorexia in the long-term. "They found the treatment helpful in reducing their perfectionist tendencies and it helped them to see things more holistically," Tchanturia says (International Journal of Eating Disorders, DOI: 10.1002/eat.20536).

There are quite some interesting studies on this subject. Click on the title of this blogpost to be forwarded to another interesting article about Anorexia and Autism published in The Times, 2007.

Empathy

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:46:00 PDT

The strangest thing about empathy is that I still try to find the clue to solve this empathy mystery. It's just like finding the answer of a ever lasting riddle. In daily conversations I have noticed that lack of empathy is something I hate and which makes me very insecure. But please do not ask me to describe the empathy thing looks or sounds like, I can not tell you what it tastes like, it's just a grey hole of a missing brain link.

Today it was a lazy Sunday although I did some serious gardening from 09.30 till noon. The aftmernoon was filled with an unexpected visitor and that was ok, although it is a mirror having someone around because it makes clear that my social talk skills are not the way I want them to be. The empathy thing makes me missing lots of things I guess.

When the house was clean enough I decided to do some painting again. That was a long long time ago. An intense yellow feeling came over me.
Made 4 works with lots of colors. With the radio on I felt quite happy being in my own art studio.

While painting I got back the contact with my inner source. It was so good to do, although not everything I made was perfect I believe it is more important to create to let your thoughts find a way to express themselves. After the moment a shape has reached the paper a relief takes place. This was what bothered me. Now it has been translated into paint. A great way to express myself and flee me from autism worries.

D-Day: Thank you Americans and Britons!

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:49:00 PDT

Thank you again for fighting our freedom! As today D-Day marked 65 years of remembrance I watched a news special about the service held close to the D-Day beaches in France. The speech President Obama held was very impressive and personal.
It was good to see Prince Charles was there as well.

Thank you America and Great Briton for fighting for our freedom. So many of your people have paid for our freedom with their lives!

Did not do that much today, my autism blogging inspiration might come back later after some serious cleaning has been done in both my gardens and my home. Cleaning gives room for new idea's they say.

Have a good weekend. Been to the library, 4 books to read! Can't wait to start!

Autism Reality

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:13:00 PDT

It is often said people with autism live in their own world.
I guess that is partly true. Autism is my shadow.

Sometimes life hurts. Counting my blessings. Sunshine, love, affection, kindness, blue sky, new horizons, new contacts, freedom of speech etc. etc.

Do not know what to tell you right now about my own world these moments.
It's dark in there. Been away but just these minutes the darkness is back.

Autism is not about what we can not do. It is about what we can and what we are.
We are good people. Pure. Each day is a blessing, even with autism.

Wishing you all goodnight. This weekend I might find inspiration for something interesting to write about.

Elections: Vote for Singles!

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:15:00 PDT

As one of the first countries, Holland has today the chance to vote for a new European Parlement. There are many issues that count for me, although The European Parlement seems to be far far away. Well that is an understatement for all political organizations I guess.

Many people with autism are singles. By choice or not the single life can sometimes be a lonely experience. Singles are often discriminated, e.g. the supplement one has to pay for a single room. It is good there are organisations like the Dutch C.I.S.A. (Centre for Individual and Society. Last year C.I.S.A. celebrated her 20th anniversary with a conference. One of the speakers that day was Mr.Alexander Pechtold, political leader of D'(emocrats) 66, one of the countries fast growing political parties. C.I.S.A. and D'66 have found one another, D'66 comes up for the rights of singles, in The Netherlands and promised to do the same in European Parlement.

I voted today for Mrs. Sophie in 't Veld, the D'66 European candidate.
To all European voters: please think about the singles!

Commercial

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:45:00 PDT

Today my job coach and I, we are going to the presentation of the commercial in which I take part. I am curious to see what the producer made of it.
When possible I will show the commercial here.

Clouds passing by

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:04:00 PDT

Life is a journey. Each day can be the start of a new discovery. While gardening in my front garden I remove the grass which has grown between the tiles the freedom of mind once again comes alive. It feels like my inner source has something to tell me.
Being statisfied with the result (the path to my front door has never looked better since I live here) I stand and watch my garden. The birds are singing in the sky. The summer has begun. Clouds in the sky are passing by without disturbing the sunshine warmth.

This is life. In the silence of a summer evening I realise I might already have all the equipment needed for the journey through life.

It's all there it is just a matter of removing things that might block your way.
When I enter the house I almost immediately close the curtains. Goodbye World, although it is not dark yet, I close the connection with the outside world this way.

My inner source comes alive when sitting down the sofa afterwards. Wearing my pyjama I look around and let the thougths of life come alive. Life is good, and what does not belong to me or does not contribute to my growth, I just throw it away over my shoulder. Like clouds passing by. Autism is not that bad I guess, it makes your inner source create beautiful flowers for the future.

Autism & Food: They do not fit anymore

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:51:00 PDT

Due to my diet to gain we weight, I have reached a normal weight now.
The days I was skinny seem to be over. One of the things that comes with extra kilogrammes is the fact that many clothes do not fit anymore. It is frustrating trying a pair of trousers on and to discover half way that there is no way you fit into it. My bottom and hips and belly are bigger then ever! Proud of it, but somethimes grrr. I just want to wear my clothes. I just love them, those old clothes. Now I had to buy new clothes.

Well, anyway I am happy over all with my extra weight. Another difference has been solved, I am just like anyone else with my average weight now.

I have promised you to write about Anorexia and Autism because there seem to be many common things. But sorry, the weather is too good to stay long time online doing research and so. So next week, when everything is back to normal, I write about Anorexia and Autism, ok?

Have a good day,
Aspie Bird

Unexpected Treasures

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Sun, 31 May 2009 14:08:00 PDT

While travelling throughout the country today I had several unexpected conversations. It was fun. I might be more open to people. Feels good.
Feels good, interaction with other people! I cherish these moments like treasures.

Have fun, enjoy life.

Weather is super here! Warm and sunny!

Fun! Street Theatre Festival

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Sat, 30 May 2009 13:08:00 PDT

There was much to enjoy at the Street Theatre Festival in the Frisian Capital Leeuwarden today. One of the acts was Les Goulus (The Horsemen) We saw the same act as on the video. I had a great day out with a good friend of mine. My street phobia has become less, or life was just better today. Even life with autism can be good.
Just watch this video, it's so funny hahahaha
Have fun!

Questions of Life

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Fri, 29 May 2009 13:56:00 PDT

We all need one another. It is not true the people with autism live on another planet. Well, sometimes it feels that way. But if you put on your coat and enter the life offline and talk to people you will see that the world is full of unspoken words and many stories waiting to be told. People need People. It is as simple as that. Sometimes I wonder if people with autism do not make their life more complicated being so much time online. Let's be honest: computers and the internet itself has broaden the lives of people with autism. However, the other side is that we become strangers in a world which is willing to cherish us people with autism.

Sometimes life hurts. Sometimes society creates so much mess, misunderstanding, loneliness, pain and sadness we are not aware of because it can only be seen in those darkest hours of the night, when most of us sleep.

Open you mind, open your door and step towards the other. You only get one life, each day is a unique day itself. Believe in yourself like you believe in others.

And if darkness surrounds you, please know that everyone carries their own worries and sadness. Talk, write, create something that can others see how dark life is for you. Please notice your footsteps in life. Without a trace we can not find you to comfort you in those dark hours.

It has been nearly a month ago since the Queenday drama. No official report has been published yet. The incident first of all leaves me with questions and questions. It is just one of those things that makes life just hurt myself.

Take care

Videoblog Autism and Relationships

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:51:00 PDT

I found this interesting video. Sorry about the previous video. This one is better.

Autism & Work: Writers block, Autism in China

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:42:00 PDT

BLOGPOST FOR WEDNESDAY MAY 27TH, 2009

It could be a writers block, just a small one I guess, but I have not idea whatshowever to write about Autism & Work today. There are many things to write about, and it's an interesting subject, but it just does not come out...

I leave you with a video about Autism in China.

Thanks for understanding,
Take care
Aspie Bird

Autism and Identity

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Tue, 26 May 2009 12:44:00 PDT

One of the most important and difficult issues in life is to find out what your identity is. It is not only a thing which lasts during puberty. If you have autism finding your way in life may be seen as an extra puzzle throughout life. In my opinion one's autism identity does change throughout the stages of life too. This is due to the stages of elderdom and the way our inner child grows.

If you are aware others find you different this can be painful. Among others you may often be surrounded by misunderstanding. Against this negative aspect of being different there is also a strong positive point. Your autism identity is very personal and unique just like every person with autism is. It can be feeled differently by people who are not officially diagnosed with autism, recently diagnosed with autism. The way you accept your autism and the way you handle life also creates your own autism identity.

People with autism are used to go our own way. This may make it easier for us to seperate from others and their opinions on how to deal with general issues. This source of own independent power people with autism carry with them kan be an important source of self esteem if you look for your own (autism) identity.

Your own autism identity is a pure thing. This is you, pure and unspoiled you. Be proud of it and try to make the best of it, let your inner autism child be heard and treat it well. You are worth it.

Update

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Mon, 25 May 2009 11:17:00 PDT

This monday no blogpost on Autism and Food due to personal circumstances. Nothing too serious, sometimes one needs to think and talk. Questions of life as a professional said today. Will blog next week about Anorexia and Autism, there seems to be a link somewhere. Thanks for visiting my weblog!

For now, I wish you a pleasant day or night.
Take care

Sunday

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Sun, 24 May 2009 00:14:00 PDT

Sunday. End of the week, start of a new week. A day to be lazy. As temperatures are high this weekend in The Netherlands, there is much to enjoy. Just being lazy in the garden, do some gardening. It feels like even walking down the street is more relaxed because of the summer heat.

Here are some pictures of yesterday's sunset. Nothing much to tell you now, sometimes rest is best.

Life

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Sat, 23 May 2009 13:48:00 PDT

Just as life is. Today the weather was perfect. High temperatures. Sunny sky along the country. Watched a beautiful sunset while daydreaming in the train home.

Sometimes you just have to enjoy life and life with autism too.

Goodnight!
Take care

Thougts about Loneliness

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:19:00 PDT

You'll never walk alone. There is always someone with you. Walking with you through the path of life. This can be another person, but it can also be yourself.

If you spend much time alone (being e.g. a person with autism) loneliness can put your self esteem down. Don't let this happen. Remember loneliness is a mental thing and the gate to the world outside is always open. Sometimes it is just hard to see the way out, but a small step offline can be the beginning of a bigger adventure in real life.

After the Queensday incident in Holland last month a discussion about loneliness has been released. Several television programmes try to break through the silence about loneliness. Many people wrote letters about their loneliness, few dare to be filmed.

Autism life can be more lonely than others, due to the lack of communciations skills. I mean our autistic communications skills are often judged being different. Remember that loneliness is a common thing in our society. So the difference between the NT people and autism loneliness does not have to be that big.

Videoblog: 3 x Kim Peek -Rain Man

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Thu, 21 May 2009 05:22:00 PDT

Video number 1/5

Number 2/5

Number 3/5:

I could not find video's number 4 and 5 on You Tube today. Will upload them next Thursday.

Click on the title of this blogpost to be forwarded to more video material about Kim Peek related to the movie Rain Man (1988).

Autism & Employment: Self Advocacy

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:24:00 PDT

Been away all day, just got home. Have been throughout the country by rail. Beautiful. Young animals all over the place, sunny weather.

Recently I joined a group associated with the PAS, the Autistic Adults Society in The Netherlands. Next month I'll attend my first meeting. Self Advocacy is so important. Looking forward to it.

Thats it for today.

Autism & Grief

aspiebird2006@yahoo.co.uk (Aspie Bird) — Tue, 19 May 2009 09:49:00 PDT

Tell me if I am wrong, but in my humble opinion many NT people might judgde the emotions of people with autism (secretly) as "being second hand". It is like a bit of " ahhh, poor auti, he of she has emotions too, we should take their emotions serious too..." Some NT people do play this game with people with autism. They do not want to disembarras themselves and do not want to be rude but their attitude is often a play which is easy to see through. Know what I mean? In my opinion many (high funtioning) people with autism do have the skills to express their emotions like sadness, joy, anger, shame, love and many more. We can feel those emotions, but the way we show them could be different. What do you think of the way people with autism handle grief?

These days once more the emotion of grief has touched my life. (I am sad because of what happened at the Queensday attack, an acquintance has died after his battle with cancer, I think a lot about my late brother and I think a lot about the parents of the man who drove 7 people to death and was killed himself, his parents live in a hell right now) All of this hurts. I know grief is a very personal thing and I feel grief does not always have to be negative. It's a way to express things. And when the tears have gone, something sweet remains. A loving memory of a idea to do (in future) to celebrate life.

In times of sadness tears make thoughts and pain visible. It's is a tough emotion, but the results are healing. Perhaps I mourn more intens than others because I do it so detailled.

Although talking with friends and family about grief shows their attitude towards mourning is not that different than mine, I must admit that I feel like my emotions are kind of "second hand". That is because how desperate I want myself to be able to handle and feel emotions just like NT people, I always have the feeling the handling of my emotions is different. Might have something to do with the fact that emotions sometimes only come up after having analysed things first. I hate this, I would like to offer people my instant empathy and sympathy and in times of grief comfort. Do you understand what I mean??

So grief does not have to be different for people with autism I think. It might just take some more time to let the emotions out.

And what about this:
I think if someone dies unexpectely that person is sad about his death as well, he will miss his loved on on earth. So it's not only the pain of we missing them. Actually a sad thought that we are not able to comfort a lost one on the pain he or she has missing us.

Take care!