by Teal C. | Jan 11, 2022 | Views from the Spectrum
“Family is not about blood. It is about who is willing to hold your hand when you need it most.” While reading this quote from Arjun Sathwara, I thought about how I was raised and the family I was brought up in. I’m not related to any of the people who raised me by...
by Teal C. | Dec 8, 2021 | Views from the Spectrum, Work-Life Balance
As a kid, I always had a difficult time with challenges even before I was diagnosed with autism. Challenges are all over the place and can come in various forms, from big to small. As an autistic person, while change has gotten easier over time, it is still something...
by Teal C. | Nov 22, 2021 | Views from the Spectrum
When I was growing up the United States, much less the state of Virginia, I was still learning what autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was. It was the mid-90’s, and my mom was reading several books to understand what it was I could have had. I was diagnosed with...
by Teal C. | Sep 2, 2021 | Views from the Spectrum
After someone would hear of my diagnosis, they tended to remark, “You don’t look autistic.” If someone was to ask me, this sounds like one of those dismissive phrases. I never figured out how I’m supposed to appear to someone that says that. Our bodies aren’t going to...
by Teal C. | Aug 9, 2021 | Views from the Spectrum
I’ve changed a lot since I first started as a resident at CA Adult Programs. I moved in on Father’s Day. My dad and brother helped me settle into this new idea of living independently. They made sure I had everything I needed to support me for the years to come...
