The progression of autism awareness...

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Many years ago it seemed people didn't even know what autism was...

But well... When I was diagnosed last year, all I said to one of my relatives was "I got a new diagnosis!" And he was like "Autism". Also I've noticed more and more people directly or indirectly commenting about it...

Like I went to a sleep study and I mentioned I like birds... And the lady said "My son is like that too... Though he's not good at social interaction..."

I found out my mannerisms that I don't notice I do, like my almost constant stimming, not being able to regulate the volume of my voice and my voice rhythm/inflection is so strange kids have asked me "why do you talk like that?" My messed up gesturing even, Etc.... That it's obvious something is off with me...

Anyway I think in the past people thought I was just odd, but intellgent, but now people treat me like I'm really defective...

Well, all I can do is put a positive spin on things... I knew for example I had to do a Zoom interview for my internship, and they could see on my resume I haven't been working for years... So I faced it kinda head on, I admitted that I had various disabilities that cause difficulty in some areas, but there are things I'm great at and I wanted to prove disabled people can contribute to society. The interviewer for some reason said "Thanks for saying that!" Like she personally appreciated that comment. I wonder why?

Well anyway, I got the internship and got an email today they've finished doing background checks and processing the paperwork and I'm good to go!

So well, it's great employers will still give me a chance, but well the average Joe?

Anyway long story short, idk if all this awareness in the long run will benefit us, harm us, or probably both...

If I remember correctly, this is a Federal internship? There are people with certain disabilities like ASD that the Federal government wants to promote--at least in certain programs and departments. And your answer was really good if you are looking to work in public service.

I am not sure people are more aware, but you may find more that are open--that is a relative statement, not sure what "more" means.

Congratulations, Angnix! Is this something you can do from your current residence, or will it mean relocating?

I think it's time to move from awareness to acceptance.

It's AmeriCorps, so yes it's Federal. The program is actually considered a for of public service, it's basically like Peace Corps but domestic. In fact if you get SSI, any stipend or other benefits you get during your service isn't counted against your SSI or any sort of public assistance... Which is a good thing because I have SSI, Food Stamps, Medicare, Medicaid and a housing voucher. I want to work eventually but I don't wanna lose those things right now.

This position doesn't have a stipend, but has a sizable education award at the end, and often if people do a good job they are asked to come back. I'm hoping to serve during the Summer too, and they said if Covid settles down, it could be at the location again, this position actually based out of Wyoming, then I'd relocate and they would pay a stipend, on top of my SSI!

And I just need one person to turn in their letter of recommendation to be considered for grad school in Idaho for this fall! If I get that too that would be awesome! They are also really interested in me and have said I need to check out disability services, etc... They wanted me to go ahead and contact disability services even, so that's a good sign.

Bea, now seeing your reply, this internship, at least for now, is home based, but if I'm asked back for the summer I might have to relocate, and for sure if I go to grad school I'd be heading for Idaho.

Congratulations. I wish you the best of luck.

I'd love to see you move far, far away from your manipulative relatives! Best of luck.

Congratulations on the internship! Go get 'em. I suspect everybody, autistic or not, has problems with people sometimes. Somebody out there is always going to give somebody else a hassle. Autistic or not. ( either or both) Eventually we find our own circle...I bet you do to.
Only some people are jerks, even if it some days seems like all of them.
Cheering you on. Keep us posted!

Congrats on your internship.

The progression is definitely there but frustratingly uneven.

I emailed them about summer and they decided during the summer it's gonna be remote again, but they will decide later whose coming back.

The grad school thing, looks like in gonna have to remind the last person he needs to turn in the letter of recommendation, he's probably just busy though because he's a professor that used to be a supervisor at one of my previous positions years ago. My former supervisors are happy I'm presuing my masters.