Search Results for: Nikki J

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AuTalkz: The Big Picture and Hyperfocus with ASD

Hyperfocus is common in folks with ASD. This happens when someone focuses on one thing so intensely that the rest of the world is blocked off. Normal folks can also do something similar to a certain extent but when I hyperfocus on something, it’s pretty much all I can see and hear.

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That does mean being able to identify small details over the overall “big picture” of a situation. I’m not completely sure if it’s related to hyperfocus, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was. I enjoy detective stories and the clue gathering, but have trouble putting together the motive and any larger plot which might be occurring at the same time.

By Nikki J.

Aspie Artist Nikki J. is the creator and artist for “AuTalkz.” We are proud to display her insights into life on the  spectrum by way of comic strips. You can see more of Nikki’s work on deviantart.

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AuTalkz: Meltdowns

A common mistake some people make is comparing an autistic meltdown to a temper tantrum in younger children.  Often when someone is younger, they don’t know how to properly express or work out frustration which occurs during the meltdown, so there could be screaming, crying, and even thrashing.

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It might look like a temper tantrum, but it’s not being done for attention or to get something like a temper tantrum is done for.  It’s done because the child is overwhelmed and-or frustrated, and don’t know any other way to express it.

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AuTalkz: Wandering

Wandering is perhaps the least understood behavior of autism, and the most dangerous to the person with autism. Before I worked on this issue, I thought back to any instance where I wandered off, and what caused me to do so.

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I came up with the three listed in the second panel:  Boredom (or lack of stimulation), Interests, and (over) Stimulation.

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AuTalkz: Emotions

An amusing moment I recall is when I was home from school once in high school, and had the TV on as stimulation in the background.  It was running an episode of “Blue’s Clues”, and they were covering emotions.  I actually got one of them wrong on the section of matching up body language with an emotion.

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However, that doesn’t mean that I can’t comprehend or understand emotions, or what other people are going through.  In fact, I tend to use some of my experiences to help other people if they’re having a rough time.  I enjoy helping people…that’s one of the biggest reasons I started to make AuTalkz, in fact!

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AuTalkz – “Mainstream”

Though it can be inspirational to hear that a celebrity has Asperger’s, it tends to be more annoying than anything else, especially in the cases where someone admits it and was diagnosed long ago, but hasn’t come out and said it until now.

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There are a lot of breakthroughs being made in autism research, and psychologists are starting to understand it more and more.  I feel it’s become “mainstream”, even.  The diagnosis rate is going up, and people are either getting diagnosed as adults or coming out and saying they’ve had it all their lives.

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“Autistic”? – Don’t Insult Me!

by : Nikki Jeanette/creator of “AuTalkz” 

For the longest time, the word “retard” was used as a horrible insult.  In fact, that’s partially the reason why the DSM changed it to “Intellectual Disability”.
Hang on, I’m going somewhere with this.
So, the place I saw this word thrown around the most as an insult was the gaming community (as that’s pretty much my social life, and not many people actually call someone a “retard” in person…cause, you know, safety of that computer screen).

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“AuTalkz” by Nikki Jeanette

At the time when I first began to play MMOs (which was shortly before WoW came out), it wasn’t used often.  As WoW and other games grew, I noticed that the word “retard” was used more and more often as an insult.
It completely blew up to the point where practically everyone was using it, and moderators (in MMOs or social chatrooms) just didn’t care or did nothing.

These days, I’ve been seeing something new used in place of “retard”.  It’s, you’ve guessed it, “autistic”.

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April is Autism Awareness Month and we at Aspergers101.org want to celebrate the Uniqueness of Autism by highlighting those diagnosed along with their special areas of interest! Send us your photos along with a brief caption and we will post here as well as share on our social media sites! A special shout out to our media partners: Bowie County Citizens Tribune (Moser Community Media) and WOAI-TV/KABB-TV (Sinclair Broadcast Group)  for joining Aspergers101 in the month-long celebration!

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Intense Interests

Samuel Allen: I have Aspergers Syndrome and I like to build high-power gaming computers from scratch.

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Grant Manier – I like to create artwork from recycled pieces of paper! I’m an eco-artist. Here is my work: http://www.grantsecoart.com/

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Ameen Al-Bahloly: I’m 28 years old and my resume reads: Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor Member, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. I am proud of my Roman & Maronite Catholic faith & spirituality. I have two associates degrees, one in computer information systems, from Palo Alto College in San Antonio, Texas. I currently work at Contemporary Services Corporation in Security/Event Staffing.

Nikki Jeanette

Nikki Jeanette: Nikki is the creator of the webcomic “AuTalkz”. She has Asperger’s Syndrome and found relief from panic attacks by doodling. Nikki wanted to make a comic which went back to the “bare basics” of past comics: ones l like Calvin & Hobbes which could teach lessons and procure laughter without the use of bad language and-or graphic violence….she called this comic strip “AuTalkz“.

 

 

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Alix Generous: I have spoken at various organizations including TEDx, United Nations Convention, National Speakers Association, New Mexico Society for Autism, Ashley Hall, The College of Charleston School of Business, etc on my experiences with mental health issues and having Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Talks: “Complex Problems Require Unique Minds” http://youtu.be/tzQDewp48MU “Using Science to Think Differently” http://youtu.be/xgV4wy-lz_8 “Environmental Threats on the Symbiotic Relationship of Coral Reefs and Quorum Sensing”

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Terrilee Tatum: I like my dogs, playing & teaching tennis, drawing and running in marathons!

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Shaina Cilimberg: I am a struggling author who wants people to take her books seriously and learn from them. My books are for teens and young adults, called Deep River High Series. They tackle serious issues such as friendships, bullying, eating disorders in males, OCD, Aspergers and other topics.