Brown Side Of Autism

  This Sunday afternoon, I found myself mowing the lawn at the autism society. They were in need of help with their lawn care, and they had a volunteer list where people could sign up to assist the community. I felt like I could be a valuable asset, so I asked one of the staff members to sign me up for the lawn care team. One of my staff members emailed me the information and schedule for the next few days. They informed me that I could choose any day of the week since there were other people on the schedule as well. So, I decided to start my job today. I was familiar with the task since I had done it before last year. It was only supposed to take about 20 minutes, so I was confident that I could complete it efficiently. As I began mowing the lawn, I encountered some challenges along the way. I couldn’t figure out where to dispose of the grass clippings because the lawnmower was full. Fortunately, my mom was there to help me. She guided me in locking up the lawnmower and taking the...

🧠  Words Matter More Than You Think When it comes to autism, a lot of people don’t realize how powerful their words can be. Some comments may seem harmless, even well-intended—but they can come across as dismissive, hurtful, or just plain misunderstanding what autism really is. This isn’t about calling people out. It’s about creating awareness. ❌  “You don’t look autistic” Autism doesn’t have a “look.” It’s a neurological difference, not something you can always see on the outside. Saying this can feel like you’re invalidating someone’s experience just because it doesn’t match your expectations. ❌  “Everyone is a little autistic” No—everyone is not. People may relate to certain traits, but autism is a real diagnosis that affects how someone communicates, processes, and experiences the world daily. This statement minimizes that reality. ❌  “Why are you acting like that?” For many autistic individuals, behaviors like stimming, needing space, or reacting to sensory ove...

  When it comes to autism, comfort isn’t just a preference—it’s a need. The way shoes feel, fit, and even look can make a big difference in how we move through the day. For many of us, certain textures, tightness, or designs can either feel overwhelming or just right. At  The Brown Side of Autism , we all have our go-to pairs that give us that sense of comfort and confidence. For me,  Puma  has always been a favorite. Their shoes feel comfortable to wear and easy to walk in, and they have a clean look that stands out without being too much. It’s the kind of comfort that lets me focus on my day instead of my feet. I’m also a big fan of  Adidas . The three stripes have always made their shoes feel unique to me. They combine style with comfort in a way that works, especially for someone who pays attention to both how things feel and how they look. I tend to lean toward running shoes because they’re lightweight and supportive, but I also appreciate classic styles to...

Today, I attended an autism society program called Empowered Employees. My brother had signed me up for this program, which aims to enhance job skills and provide job training to individuals with autism to help them secure employment opportunities. The program consists of six weeks of sessions every Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:30. The sessions were highly informative and beneficial. We began with a break-the-ice game using tissue paper to get to know each other. Next, we played a game called “chit chat,” where we asked each other questions about our future aspirations, such as where we envision ourselves in three years. Throughout the program, we engaged in casual conversations and learned about essential career skills, including communication, resume building, mock interviews, and talked about doing job tours scheduled in the upcoming few weeks. We also have a celebratory event at the end of the program. During a quiet moment, my 10:00 alarm unexpectedly went off. James Brown’s “Get On Up...

Encounters between law enforcement and individuals with autism are more common than many people realize. Yet, not every officer is trained to recognize the signs of autism or understand how it may affect communication and behavior. Autism is not a one-size-fits-all condition. Some individuals may be nonverbal, avoid eye contact, or struggle to respond quickly to commands. In a high-pressure situation, these behaviors can easily be misunderstood as noncompliance or suspicious behavior. Without proper training, these misunderstandings can escalate quickly. What may look like resistance could actually be sensory overload, fear, or difficulty processing instructions. Training police officers to recognize autism and other developmental differences can make a significant difference. Simple adjustments—like giving clear, calm instructions, allowing extra time for responses, and reducing sensory triggers—can help de-escalate situations and keep everyone safe. Some departments have alre...

  Inclusion is something we haven’t talked about enough here at  The Brown Side of Autism —but it’s essential. Inclusion means making sure  everyone  in the autism community is valued, seen, and supported—no matter where they fall on the spectrum. Autism is not one-size-fits-all. Some individuals may communicate verbally, others may not. Some may live independently, while others need daily support. Every experience is valid. Terms like “high functioning” and “low functioning” are often used, but they don’t fully capture a person’s abilities, challenges, or potential. They can sometimes limit how others see someone—or even how opportunities are given. True inclusion goes beyond labels. It means: Listening to all voices Respecting different needs and communication styles Creating spaces where everyone belongs Supporting individuals based on  who they are , not assumptions At the end of the day, inclusion is about understanding that autism looks different for every...

I had an IEP which means individualized education program in high school—and for a long time, I didn’t know whether to feel supported or singled out. Most people hear “IEP” and think help, accommodations, extra time. And yeah… sometimes it did look like that. I got extra time on tests. And honestly, there were moments I needed it. Times where my brain just didn’t process things as fast as everyone else, or I needed a little more space to think things through without pressure. But what people don’t understand is—it’s deeper than that. Because while I’m sitting there with extra time, I’m also aware that I’m different. That I’m being treated differently. That people might be wondering why. For me, having an IEP wasn’t just about getting help on assignments. It was about how that help made me feel. There were moments I appreciated it—like when that extra time actually helped me show what I knew instead of rushing and messing up. But there were also moments where it felt l...