Verdict

 

    So, regardless of whether anyone ever knows the full truth or anything close to it, I think the amount of people impacted and the fact that the Governor's office spoke to Woodruff Road by itself says enough. Anyone with common sense can see that something dangerous happened. His actions do not define my life. I do. That medication does not define my life. I do. Bipolar does not define my life. I do. 

    My life is defined by a long history, that much is true. It is defined by growing up in the 80s, by being a loyal family member, friend, and member of the community. In surviving 2 comas, lots of drugs, lots of traumatic events, a lot of isolation and pain, and yet, stubbornly persisting, I did many things. I volunteered for 3.5 years with Safe Harbor, Crisisline, and Julie Valentines. I helped in the raising of nieces and nephews. I participated in multiple varsity sports. I learned a tremendous amount about mental illness. I got that BA in psych and the MS in Accounting. I certified in IT multiple times, passed the CPA, I worked in three different fields. I wrote poems and stories. I taught others. I traveled. I met many people. I lived independently. All that and more. And there are people who know my strength, my fortitude, my intelligence, my compassion, my humor, my resilience, my empathy. And regardless of what they say of me, I will die accomplished someday. 

R.I.P., that which was myself. May those struggles rest and never rise again. 

Autism Spectrum in the context of Trauma and Mild ADHD

    Autism Spectrum (AS) is a difference in neurological functioning not incredibly different from ADHD and related to Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). Persons with mild AS have distinct differences in communication styles, great difficulty dealing with sensory stimulation, struggle with disruption to routine, and tend to high intelligence. Analytical thinking is strong and the ability for self-regulation and small talk is low. 

    These individuals do well in environments where coregulation is possible (emotional tuning of a group of individuals in concert). Self-play or solo work is common. High levels of analytical thinking result in increased ability in creative endeavors and academics (with proper support), particularly high mathematical aptitude. 

    Coregulation is one tool used in the therapies for AS. The leader is able to "dance a dance" with the other members, stepping in and out fluidly to provide hint and suggestion. Reassurances for moments of anxiety, calm for tension, energy for apathy, empathy for anger... a steady and continuous tempo that provides a consistent and reliable guide to allow the AS affected individual to manage sensory integration issues and maintain eye contact and consistency in the emotional connection that could otherwise be chaotic (including verbal or physical aggression in moments of confusion or tension) or absent almost entirely. 

    Whereas ADHD (which, like CAPD, has a fairly high rate of comorbidity) involves difficulty initiating and maintaining focus and often involves Mult focusing (multitasking), such as watching TV while performing cognitive tasks, AS is primarily a sensory integration issue. The sensory information is interpreted by the brain as chaotic and intense. 

    Persons with AS can be interpreted to have a childlike interpretation of the world, a decreased concern for money, a lack of understanding of other person's emotions (particularly in how they affect other people), and high emotional volatility. At times they can become nonverbal, and struggle to grasp the proper cadence of interaction, with poor management of boundaries and a lack of awareness or understanding, surprised by the emotional reactions of others. There is a disconnect that can appear cold when the person is overwhelmed or processing at a different rate than others. The lack of emotional attunement demands more time to respond to others, sometimes making interaction seem start and stop or cause a complete breakdown in communication. Persons with AS can play for hours or work for hours in isolation. "Own little world" is very characteristic, whereas ADHD, even inattentive, tends to manifest as more interactive and less disconnected. 

It's over

Well, if I can get past the idea of my family being addicted to fixing me, I can move on to other things, such as setting up that new website to manage my 1099 contracting. It's almost ready. Then I can tutor, account, and whatever through that website, including payment portal. It makes things simpler. I gotta work on that and finishing my content review. Clean house more. Assemble some furniture. 

Even a Shrink can see

 

One big happy prismaly

Together the rest of our lives

As far as our friends were concerned

Everything seemed right

 

But that's when they told me

They said me it was time to move on

Just tired of the hospitalizations

It told me the pills were gone

And now I want to believe

want to believe it's over

Suddenly it's plain to see

They're as tired as me and

Even a shrink can see

There's nothing left between us

I knew all along something was wrong

But I did my best to deny it

And now I can't go home

I want to be alone so

Tell all the ones who are missing me that I'm alright

Even a shrink can see

There were times I had nothing

And somehow, I laughed through it all

There are moments I'll never forget

And some I wouldn't care to recall

And still, I want to believe

I want to believe it's over

Suddenly it's plain to see

They don't need me

Even a ahrink can see

There's nothing left between us

I knew all along something was wrong

But I did my best to deny it

And now I can't go home

I want to be alone so

Tell anyone who misses me that I'm alright

Even a shrink can see

 

Nothing more to talk about

It's over when it's over

In the end you both stop trying

In the end it's oh so sad

And you are crying

 

And now I can't go home

I want to be alone so

Tell anyone who misses me that I'm alright

Even a shrink can see

Won't ya tell me that I'm alright

Even a fool like me

 

Woo ooo I'm alright

Even a shrink can see

Whoa ooo ooo ooo