Twirling Naked in the Streets and No One Noticed; Growing Up with Autism by Jeannie Davide-Rivera, eBooks 2013 Edition; an Extended Review with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
(4% indicates location in the Kindle version of the book, instead of page numbers.)
< My Thoughts > In her book, Jeannie Davide-Rivera rewards us with her Aspie-ness!
Excerpts from the book...
4% They missed it; they missed me. I am a survivor; an autism survivor.
< My Thoughts > “They missed it; they missed me.”
On the Autism Speaks website they explain that… “…until a child or adult begins to have serious difficulties in school, the workplace, or their lives,” they will probably go undiagnosed. There may be other diagnoses such as anxiety issues, hyperactivity or other ‘behavioral issues,’ which will bring them to the attention of teachers and coworkers.
4% I’ve heard people say that they didn’t see many autistic children when they were growing up, but I am here to tell you that we indeed were in your midst.
When they noticed me walking on tip-toes, they made me a ballerina. When I twirled round and round, I was only dancing. When I had imaginary friends, they said that’s what little girls do. When the light bothered me, I was allergic to sunlight. When smells overwhelmed me, I had a sensitive stomach. When I only ate a few select items, I was a picky eater. When I could not stray from my rigid routine, I was hard-headed.
< My Thoughts > “…noticed me walking on tip-toes…”
Retrieved from – https://www.autism.coqm/symptoms_toe_walking
Toe-walking, by Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D. (2016). “Toe-walking is quite common in young children 3 years and younger. However, when children “5 years and older are still walking on their toes, “…this is often associated with neurological immaturity.” “A dysfunctional vestibular system, a common problem in autism…” “The vestibular system prepares the brain with feedback between the brain and the body’s motion and position. Therapeutic intervention such as swinging on a swing, prism glasses are available, as are exercises and/or surgery for the Achilles tendon. Edelson cautions that the parents should consider whether or not the toe-walking is a safety issue when determining the cost of treatment.
4% When I couldn’t stand certain fabrics touching my body, I was being a princess. When I cried and screamed, I was spoiled. When I rocked back and forth, I was concentrating. When I sat alone, I was in my own world.
< My Thoughts > “When I couldn’t stand certain fabrics touching my body…”
I didn’t find any recent peer-reviewed articles which talked about definitive studies regarding sensory issues and people with autism. Older studies reflected the view that sensory issues were aligned with behavioral issues. Studies seemingly were connecting sensory complaints with ‘escape’ and/or ‘non-compliance’ behavior. Some study conclusions saw a correlation between sensory issues and hyper-activity. And, they often found that sensory complaints were higher in people who were higher up on the autism spectrum, perhaps because they had more awareness of their discomfort… or, they had less coping mechanisms.
My feeling is that sensory issues are valid and very real. At home, the kind of soap used to wash the child or their clothes can make a real difference in their comfort level… how it smells and how it feels on their skin. At school, the computer screen or room lights too bright, room temperature fluctuations, uncomfortable chairs, or even the smell of whiteboard markers can create real physical pain for the student; overriding any chance of the child focusing on lessons.
4% When I couldn’t keep up, I was not living up to my potential. When I didn’t think the way others did, I was just too smart for my own good. When I didn’t connect with my peers, I just didn’t care about them. When I misinterpreted situation, I was inconsiderate. When I inserted myself, I was inappropriate.
When I stayed in my pajamas for days, I was depressed. When I was overwhelmed by the world, I was agoraphobic. When I was tired and frightened, I had an anxiety disorder. When I realized something was wrong with me, I was making excuses.
(4% indicates location in the Kindle version of the book, instead of page numbers.)
< My Thoughts > In her book, Jeannie Davide-Rivera rewards us with her Aspie-ness!
Excerpts from the book...
4% They missed it; they missed me. I am a survivor; an autism survivor.
< My Thoughts > “They missed it; they missed me.”
On the Autism Speaks website they explain that… “…until a child or adult begins to have serious difficulties in school, the workplace, or their lives,” they will probably go undiagnosed. There may be other diagnoses such as anxiety issues, hyperactivity or other ‘behavioral issues,’ which will bring them to the attention of teachers and coworkers.
4% I’ve heard people say that they didn’t see many autistic children when they were growing up, but I am here to tell you that we indeed were in your midst.
When they noticed me walking on tip-toes, they made me a ballerina. When I twirled round and round, I was only dancing. When I had imaginary friends, they said that’s what little girls do. When the light bothered me, I was allergic to sunlight. When smells overwhelmed me, I had a sensitive stomach. When I only ate a few select items, I was a picky eater. When I could not stray from my rigid routine, I was hard-headed.
< My Thoughts > “…noticed me walking on tip-toes…”
Retrieved from – https://www.autism.coqm/symptoms_toe_walking
Toe-walking, by Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D. (2016). “Toe-walking is quite common in young children 3 years and younger. However, when children “5 years and older are still walking on their toes, “…this is often associated with neurological immaturity.” “A dysfunctional vestibular system, a common problem in autism…” “The vestibular system prepares the brain with feedback between the brain and the body’s motion and position. Therapeutic intervention such as swinging on a swing, prism glasses are available, as are exercises and/or surgery for the Achilles tendon. Edelson cautions that the parents should consider whether or not the toe-walking is a safety issue when determining the cost of treatment.
4% When I couldn’t stand certain fabrics touching my body, I was being a princess. When I cried and screamed, I was spoiled. When I rocked back and forth, I was concentrating. When I sat alone, I was in my own world.
< My Thoughts > “When I couldn’t stand certain fabrics touching my body…”
I didn’t find any recent peer-reviewed articles which talked about definitive studies regarding sensory issues and people with autism. Older studies reflected the view that sensory issues were aligned with behavioral issues. Studies seemingly were connecting sensory complaints with ‘escape’ and/or ‘non-compliance’ behavior. Some study conclusions saw a correlation between sensory issues and hyper-activity. And, they often found that sensory complaints were higher in people who were higher up on the autism spectrum, perhaps because they had more awareness of their discomfort… or, they had less coping mechanisms.
My feeling is that sensory issues are valid and very real. At home, the kind of soap used to wash the child or their clothes can make a real difference in their comfort level… how it smells and how it feels on their skin. At school, the computer screen or room lights too bright, room temperature fluctuations, uncomfortable chairs, or even the smell of whiteboard markers can create real physical pain for the student; overriding any chance of the child focusing on lessons.
4% When I couldn’t keep up, I was not living up to my potential. When I didn’t think the way others did, I was just too smart for my own good. When I didn’t connect with my peers, I just didn’t care about them. When I misinterpreted situation, I was inconsiderate. When I inserted myself, I was inappropriate.
When I stayed in my pajamas for days, I was depressed. When I was overwhelmed by the world, I was agoraphobic. When I was tired and frightened, I had an anxiety disorder. When I realized something was wrong with me, I was making excuses.