Autism Discovery

Valentine's Good Wishes to All...from this autistic poster ❤️

My mind sees things differently. I didn't always know that was true, rationally believing that everyone sees, and interprets, the world as I do.

But in 2019, after a successful career in both practical (high school classroom) and administrative education (Director of College Counseling, Director of Enrollment Management) I was diagnosed as autistic.

I now realize that my world view is enhanced by my heightened sensitivities to variables of sight, sound, and other elements which influence my experience and make me especially receptive and responsive to the variances in the day-to-day of society. My coincidental high intelligence combines with those sensory gifts to make me ready and able for all sorts of challenges.

Notes from today's Valentine's greetings:

Row One is of seed pods, the first two images of one specimen, and the second set in that row of two different angles of a different example. The last image in that row recreates in red what I saw from one angle of the pod; the final two images in Row Two are a final view of that same second pod from a slightly different angle, and a recreation in red.

The start of Row Two is of two different seashells of the same variety; I tried to recreate them as one in red.

Row Three is the the beginning of the two halves of the shell splitting, followed by the fully split shell.

Row Four captures a funny story: I was driving along at a good clip and thought I saw something interesting on the side of the road. I slowed down the car, took a turn, and parked to go investigate on foot.

Wow, yes, those logs really do look like a pair of hearts, I was able to say to myself!

Best wishes to all today in the name of love or potential love. Not all of us are there, to be sure, but let's celebrate the potential!!!

Check out my services at www.autism-discovery.com if you'd like to learn more.

Going UP the down escalator can look a lot of ways for neurodivergent people. Quieting our voices. Humbling our gifts. Deferring to those who have power or influence that we don't have...not because we are intimidated, but because sometimes changing at least some of what is so wrong can seem better than doing nothing.

We have insights; we have energy; we have drive. And we are willing to work hard to contribute to needed change. But when we are not heard, or even listened to...that can be very hard to sit with. It can, in time, become soul-crushing.

When--worse--we are also not treated with respect or camaraderie because we are seen as different, or actually openly treated with disrespect and a lack of care, then that can become pretty much unbearable.

Too many of us know those realities and those results.

Because our brains are wired differently, our needs in order to succeed, flourish, and contribute best are different, too.

Unaware of my neurodivergence for so long, like so many others, I did what I could to survive under suffocating circumstances.

Now, instead, many of us are rising and finding ways to put our energies to use for the good of each other AND for the good of all.

We have so much to say, and we are not invested for personal gain. We strive to help. We strive to help others. We stand to help the world.

Help us along. Give us a chance. Give supporting someone different a try.

I think you will be both happy and grateful that you did.

Have you ever been mocked, ignored, or excluded because of your autism?

Many autistic adults, adults with autism face:

📌discrimination
📌bullying
📌social stigma

These problems can have a significant impact on their self-esteem and mental health.

Some of the common challenges that adults with autism face are:

⤹ Difficulty finding or keeping a job
⤹ Feeling misunderstood or isolated
⤹ Lack of social support or meaningful relationships
⤹ Low self-confidence or self-worth

These are not trivial issues.

They can affect your quality of life and happiness.

But you don't have to suffer in silence.

There is hope and help available.

At Autism Discovery, we are dedicated to empowering and supporting autistic adults/adults with autism.

We offer:
- resources and information to help you understand your autism
- personalized coaching that can lead you to bring changes to your life to reduce stress and daily traumas
- mentoring to help you recognize and develop your skills and talents

If you are ready to take the next step in your journey, then join us today.

You can reach out in the comments, follow us on Facebook, or visit our website for more details.

Don't let bullying and stigma hold you back.

You are not alone.
You are not broken.
You are amazing.

And you deserve to live a fulfilling and happy life.

Join Autism Discovery today and let us help you unleash your inner genius.

Imagine living in a world where you can tell you stand out, and not always in a good way.

Where everything is too loud, too bright, too fast, or too confusing.

Where people expect you to act a certain way, but you honestly don't know how.

Where you are constantly misunderstood, no matter how hard you try.

This is the reality for many autistic adults. We face countless challenges and barriers in our daily lives. As a result, we often feel isolated and can even feel hopeless and depressed. Or, our days can be filled with anxiety.

I am Lara Schaeffer, and I am an autistic adult. If you are autistic, or think you may be, then my daily experience probably has a lot in common with yours.

And I am here to help you. I was a high school teacher and administrator for 28 years, and I have dedicated the last five years of my professional life to helping neurodivergent young people and adults.

At Autism Discovery, we offer a range of services including

📌Innovative Adult Guided Self-Assessment: economical and affirming
📌Mentoring and Counseling (Ages 12 through adult)
📌PEERS Program (Social skills training and coaching for adolescents and young adults who want to bring changes to this aspect of their lives)

To learn more about Autism Discovery and how we can help, visit our website at the link provided in the comments section.

Do you feel different, misunderstood, or overwhelmed by the world?

You might be autistic, which is not a bad thing.

Autism is not a problem to fix.

It’s a natural way of being human.

It’s a gift that makes you unique and amazing.

But you may not know it yet.

You may have grown up hiding your true self, struggling with social norms and sensory overload.

You may have wondered why you can’t “be normal” and why you can’t fit in.

But you don’t have to wonder anymore.

You can be yourself, and you can be happy.

You just need someone to guide you on your journey of self-discovery, whether or not that leads to a confirmation of autism.

Someone who is autistic and who is experienced and knowledgeable about neurodiversity (different ways of thinking and being).

Someone who can answer your questions.

You need to meet Lara Schaeffer.

She is an autism specialist and a late-identified autistic.

She innovated the Guided-Self Assessment for Adults which can help you explore your relationship with autism and find your authentic self.

She offers a flexible and supportive service that uses standard autism assessment tools tailored for adults.

And she offers mentoring for people who think differently so that they can live their lives happier and with less stress.

She can help you gain confidence, clarity, and connection.

Don’t wait any longer.

Visit her website at the link given in the comments, or send her a message today.

She would love to hear from you and help you on your journey of self-discovery.

Have you ever found yourself grappling with daily tasks that seem to come effortlessly to others?

You're not alone, and here's a reminder:

those of us with autism are different, not less.

At Autism Discovery, we understand the unique challenges faced by autistic adults.

Many autistic individuals encounter hurdles in achieving independence without stress or hurdles—whether it's cooking, cleaning, or managing finances.

At Autism Discovery, Lara Schaeffer, an autistic autism specialist, works with you to make small but impactful changes to your life that can bring you more joy and less stress.

She offers:
📌Practical tips and strategies to improve your daily life
📌Personalized coaching and support
📌A supportive community of like-minded peers who understand your struggles and celebrate your successes
📌Developing with you a path toward a happier life with less stress and trauma

Lara is proud to be autistic. She knows both the challenges as well as the strengths and joys that come along with autism. She can help you live the life you deserve.

Join Autism Discovery today, follow this page, and discover your true potential.