Listen now | Matt and Angela talk navigating Thanksgiving as an autistic person and why watching Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an autistic-friendly holiday tradition.
My strategy these days with family get togethers is to bring a puzzel and have puzzel time. I find it is a lot easier to engage with people while doing a puzzel because everyone is focused on it. No expected eye contact and the conversations tend to be easier. And people come and go from it which is nice too. And if the people I'm visiting have a dog or cat, I tend to spend my time hanging out with the fluffy friend.
Hi Daron! Sami here, the Content Manager for The Autistic Culture Podcast. I think that this is such a genius hack for being able to unmask in an acceptable way for the holidays. Having a task that ensures that you won't have to prolong unfathomable amounts of eye contact is definitely a smart way to go. I'm lucky in that I only spend Thanksgiving with my (also autistic) partner, and we're able to navigate the day in a way that works for us and our support needs. Hanging out with the pets at the function is also something that I do to preserve my spoons!
My strategy these days with family get togethers is to bring a puzzel and have puzzel time. I find it is a lot easier to engage with people while doing a puzzel because everyone is focused on it. No expected eye contact and the conversations tend to be easier. And people come and go from it which is nice too. And if the people I'm visiting have a dog or cat, I tend to spend my time hanging out with the fluffy friend.
Hi Daron! Sami here, the Content Manager for The Autistic Culture Podcast. I think that this is such a genius hack for being able to unmask in an acceptable way for the holidays. Having a task that ensures that you won't have to prolong unfathomable amounts of eye contact is definitely a smart way to go. I'm lucky in that I only spend Thanksgiving with my (also autistic) partner, and we're able to navigate the day in a way that works for us and our support needs. Hanging out with the pets at the function is also something that I do to preserve my spoons!