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Routines and Autism
Routines and Autism Sticking to routines can be important for autistic people. I mean, I’ve always been a stickler for routines and still am to this day. Even in an unfamiliar environment, it has been more necessary to set my own routines and know what I need to do...
Masking: Benefits & Burnouts
Masking: Benefits & Burnouts Masking is hiding self-soothing behaviors that others may find “weird.” This involves such things as stimming or intense interests. Stimming is usually self-soothing techniques that involve anything to help, cope, or manage outside...
Benefits of Therapy & Autism
Benefits of Therapy & Autism Coming to terms with my diagnosis was a trouble-free experience to make sense of. My parents never hid my diagnosis or what they were doing from me, which helped tremendously unless it was a surprise. I was emotion driven and went...
Group Home and Development
Group Home and Development In mid-June of 2011, I made the move to Richmond with the plan of moving into a group home. Before all of that, my dad and I checked out some other locations that just didn’t seem to fit me at all. They both didn’t fit the ideals for what...
Before Moving to Richmond
Before Moving to Richmond Going to school was not all I was expecting it to be. The struggles, trials and tribulations, and even failed relationships were just the beginnings of my adulthood. The inevitable rush from high school to adulthood was never a perfect step...
Autism Supports
Autism Supports When I was growing up, I always had a support method to accommodate for the fact that I processed things differently than others. This went on for eight years of my life; however, they seemed to disappear when I was 18 years old. The disability,...
Sleep and Autism
Sleep or a lack thereof tends to be a problem when you can’t get your mind to shut down for the night or your mind is racing with the issues of the day. Many people with autism struggle with sleep and some have sleep disorders that affect their ability to sleep. There...
Sensory Perception
Everything is blinding Whirlwind Cascading Blurring Overwhelming Tossed at me like jarring bricks Chatting Phones Commuters Computers Spinning round in circles Burnout Overload Disassociate Masking Every input makes me miserable Twitching ...
Autism Clues and References
I remember one morning I was out with my mom and brother. Being young at this point, I was complaining about social interactions. My brother mentioned that everyone has it hard. Nothing is easy, even for people who aren’t autistic. For the life of me, it clicked...
What I’ve Gained by Working at Commonwealth Autism
What I've Gained by Working at Commonwealth Autism Working at a small company is amazing. There are benefits that go beyond what anyone could imagine. To be around people who wish to better their community daily is something to be proud to be a part of. There are many...
Sensory Inputs
Sensory Inputs Sensory inputs are an everyday thing for anyone around us. Whether that’s the neighbor or the stranger on the bus, they all deal with inputs around them. While for many people, it may not be as overwhelming, for many others, it may be too much. ...
“Curing” Autism
"Curing" Autism For years I have wondered why people wanted to “cure” autism as if that was a possibility. It is a lifelong, genetic disability with no cure. I feel like there are so many people out there who think there is a magic pill that we could take that would...
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CA works with people with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families to help them thrive. Every day, we’re building a future where the most vulnerable Virginians can actively participate in our community and realize their full potential.
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