Shoutout To Offputting Autistic People

notes for my impostor syndrome:

• no, it's not painful to walk for abled-bodied people

• no, healthy people don't usually use every chance they get to lean against walls or sit down

• no, ableds don't dream about shower stool

• no, ableds don't celebrate days when they're not in pain. because usually they're not in pain

• no, ableds don't want to stop walking mid-way, lay down on the ground, curl up and cry and whine from pain

• no, ableds aren't exhausted by their own bodies 24/7

I want to talk about using AAC in public. This post wont have much about my personal experiences, it'll mostly be tips for AAC users using AAC in public. This post also is specifically referring to high tech AAC, not things like communication cards.

1. Being prepared is very important to successful communication in public (In general too, but in public especially!). This means making sure that your AAC device is charged and ready to use. It is also helpful to have a backup AAC in case your device malfunctions or runs out of battery. For example, you might have a printed version of your communication board, or maybe a backup app on your phone. This has been helpful for me a few times, I personally use the second option of having a backup app on my phone.

2. Prepare to probably have to repeat yourself if in a louder environment. You might need to turn up your devices volume or repeat yourself in noisy or crowded environments. It can be helpful to use headphones or earbuds to hear your device better in loud environments, I have personally never done this, but I think if you are only talking to one person, using wireless bluetooth earbuds from your device to them should work. If this doesn't work for you, and full volume still isnt loud enough, having the person you are speaking to view your message window might be helpful.

3. Be patient. Communication using AAC can take longer than oral speech. Becoming frustrated is perfectly understandable, and I become frustrated with my device taking longer sometimes too, but if you try your best to be patient with yourself, you'll likely be able to express and communicate better.

4. Use visual aids! Visual aids can be helpful for communicating as a nonspeaking person in public. For example, if you are trying to order food at a restaurant, you might use a picture of the item you want to order.

5. It is important to advocate for yourself and your communication needs. This might mean informing others of your communication needs and asking for accommodations. For example, you might ask for a quieter table at a restaurant so your device is more audible, or perhaps acsess to a charger in case it dies.

6. Practice. This tip isnt exclusive to using AAC publically, but it is really helpful for doing so. If you are learning another language, practicing will make you more efficient and fluent. The same goes for AAC! Practicing will mean you can find buttons easier, and therefore communicate faster.

7. This one.. isnt a tip. I just wanted to say that people WILL stare, and be confused, but that you are amazing, and your device is amazing. Don't be embarrassed of using AAC.

What no one tells you about being “pre-med” until you’re doing it

I realized I wanted to be a doctor when I was a junior in high school, many events happened to bring me to this realization; however I told myself that when I got to college, I was going to be a chemistry/biochemistry major and be “pre-med”–so when the time arrived, that’s what I did.

 “How do I maximize my chances of getting into medical school?” I thought. Make all A’s, get involved in lots of extracurricular activities, research and clinical volunteering. So, that’s what I did—for 4 years of undergrad, I was a machine. I figured if I kept working hard, I would eventually reach my goal of becoming a doctor. This is all true, however, no one tells you what isolating yourself and studying for extensive hours at a time can do to you. No one tells you about the hardships you will face along the way, the friends you will lose who “don’t understand why you study so much,” all the family events, functions, parties and birthday parties you miss out on because you’re “at the library.” The difficulties of dating while “pre-med” are real. I dated a couple of wonderful people, who each decided to break things off with me because I would be “leaving for medical school.” Being “pre-med” (and I am sure these same struggles continue on into medical school) can leave you feeling drained, depressed, stressed, lonely and feeling as though you are not really “being yourself” (due to the fact you are working so hard all the time and trying to balance everything).

There have been only a few times during my undergraduate career when the words, “I am done with studying” have been said. Those times are when the semester actually ended. I never believed I was truly ever done with studying, because there was always more I could review or more I could learn. Considering the “weed-out” classes you have to take can have up to a 70% fail rate (depending on your university), you can imagine the pressure of always wanting to ‘do more.’

Every test, is a weed out. I will never forget after taking many science tests, upon receiving our test grades, I would always over hear someone in the room break down and cry, saying that now they have to change their major or now they can’t be a doctor. It’s heartbreaking.

 The struggle, is REAL. It is HARD. And it requires an extensive amount of work. However, it can be done. The best way to get through it all without losing your sanity, is to have an amazing support group; whether that group is your family and/or best friends. Have people who you can go to about anything. I wouldn’t have made it through and gotten into medical school without my family and friends always being there for me and being understanding.

Also, make time to have fun! It sounds impossible, but it is absolutely necessary. Go out and do something fun with your friends at least once a week!

Don’t put more on your plate than you can handle, if you are involved in a lot of extracurricular activities and you realize you’re unhappy lately and feel like you never get any “me” time, drop some activities and MAKE “me” time, that’s important for your happiness and your mental health. Also, make time to exercise, even if it is going on a walk. Exercise is the best way to reduce stress, boost your mood, clear your mind and take care of your mental health.

Find a mentor, someone who has been through it before. Ask them any questions you have about classes or medical school. Relieve your stresses and anxiety and get yourself a mentor.

I wouldn’t change anything I did, except for making more time to workout and relieve some of that stress. If you want to be a doctor, go for it–the reward will be absolutely worth it in the end.

 My goal of this post was not to deter anyone who seeks to be a doctor away from medicine, but rather to fill you in on the struggles that no one tells you about and to provide some helpful solutions for getting through it.

Hopefully it helped provide some insight!

Being autistic is when

Either, I listen to and comprehend what you’re saying.

Or, I make eye-contact and control my facial expression.

Pick. One.

How Long Your Stories Should Be (And What Publishers Want)

First of all, thank you so much for over 8,000 followers!!

Short Story

-Under 500 Words is described as flash fiction. It’s one scene

-Between 1,000 and 8,000 Words is a short story

-Between 5,000 and 10,000 Words is as long as a short story should ever be

Novella

-A story between 10,000 and 40,000 Words

Novel

-Anything over 40,000 Words is considered a novel, but 50,000 should be the minimum amount of words you should have (If you’re trying to get published)

-Most novels are between 60,000 and 100,000 Words

-Publishers generally don’t like more than 110,000 words, unless you’re already established

Adult fiction

-Between 80,000 and 100,000 Words

Science and Fantasy

-Generally Between 90,000 and 120,000. Not abnormal to reach the 150,000 range. (It takes time to build a whole new world)

Romance Novels

-Between 50,000 and 100,000

Crime, Mysteries and Thrillers

-Between 70,000 and 90,000

Young Adult

-Between 50,000 and 80,000

Children’s Novel

-Between 25,000 to 50,000

Paupers Prince Part 2

Click here for previous/future chapters if you're on a laptop/browser~

Or follow #paupersprince for updates on app :3 I will make webcomics readable on Tumblr somehow lol

A little autistic lord has a melt down- but maybe one kind kid can help, where unempathic adults have failed.

Clarice Lispector, A Breath of Life

all your stuffed animals love you. they're not sad if they're in a box, or on the floor, or not held/played with as much. they understand. they know that you might need another stuffie more, or that you don't have enough space. they're just happy to be with you, and if you ever give them away, they'll be happy there too. stuffies are for comfort. they understand. they love you too. it's okay.

Rupi Kaur, Milk and Honey