Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk 01/03 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio

Happy New Year Everyone!  Tune into the next broadcast of Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk.   PLEASE NOTE THE NEW SHOW TIME.  This broadcast will air Thursday, January 3rd, 2013 at 6 pm United States Eastern Standard Time, 3 pm United States Pacific Standard Time, and 11 pm UK time.

During this broadcast, I will reflect on 2012, a year of autism awareness, college graduation, and many new opportunities.  Tune into what will surely be another great show!

Junior Positively Autistic: Ryan's Spectrum Talk 01/03 by Positively Autistic | Blog Talk Radio

Graduation Day!

Well, today was the big day.  This morning, I walked across the stage to celebrate my college graduation.  For anyone who doubt that people on the autism spectrum could become successful, I am living proof that any challenges associated with autism spectrum disorder can be overcome:

Teen with Aspergers becomes Homecoming King

A teen with Aspergers Syndrome was recently named Homecoming King at his Metro Detroit high school.  It was not a joke or a prank of any sort, just the result of some very dedicated and understanding friends.  Eighteen year old Danny Leideker has a lot to be thankful for.  He is attending the Linden High School Homecoming Dance, probably at this very moment as I write these words.  He had two girls that agreed to take turns dancing with him just to show him what it felt like.  Friends on the varsity football team have spent time showing Danny proper social behavior.  This is something that every teen on the spectrum hopes for, including myself when I was in high school, but very few ever receive.  I am happy for Danny to have the help and support of his family and so many great friends.  To read more on this story, click on the following link:

http://www.freep.com/article/20121006/NEWS01/310060036/At-homecoming-and-in-friends-eyes-Linden-teen-with-autism-is-king?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Anxiety Poem

Here is a poem I wrote about anxiety that I feel I should share with my readers:

Anxiety: By Ryan Comins

Irrational Fear

Grips me at

The times where

I am most vulnerable.

When I am anxious

It is at these times

When my decisions

Seem irrelevant

My accomplishments

Seem null.

Everything I am

Is dictated by my fears

My feelings

Determine all

Such are the challenges

Of anxiety.

*I reserve all rights to this poem.  Although, anyone familiar with poetry knows that trying to sell it is no quick and easy way to make money.  It is done through passion or not at all.  

Employers Gaining Awareness

Employer autism awareness is rising.  More companies are realizing the benefits of hiring high functioning autistic individuals.  Apart from our dedication to what is interesting to us, employers also don't have to worry about excessive socialization for those with high functioning autism.

Now, you won't be able to read this entire source unless you subscribe to this newspaper, which costs a bit of money.  I didn't read the whole article, but I think it is more important to know that the autism awareness message is being heard by employers.  To read my source, click here: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/print-edition/2012/09/14/awareness-growing-for-benefits-those.html

How Sensory Overload Feels to Me

My job at the grocery story was particularly challenging this past Sunday.  The workday started out alright enough; I was talkative and even joked around with friends and coworkers.  However, as the day went on, I began to have sensory issues, even though I did not recognize them for what they were at first.  Over my lifetime, I have tried to find reasons for the sensations that accompanied sensory overload.  I've tried to tell people that I was just tired, I had a headache, things like that.  My most recent reasoning for sensory overload was that I was empathetic and was reading the emotions of others.  Finally, I have not only identified when I am having a sensory overload, I can also describe how it feels.  It is sort of like a hard, pressing feeling in my head that came in waves and becomes increasingly painful.  This is what it feels like for me to have a sensory overload.

Disney World Wins Autism Awareness Award

One of the great things I remember growing up were vacations to Disney World in Orlando Florida.  I've been there three times total: twice with my family and a third time with my high school band program.  I'm from southeast Michigan, so a trip to Florida during the midwinter months was always a great relief from the stark realities of snow and cold weather.  

In a marketing management course I took in college earlier this year, I studied how Disney trains its employees to look at their jobs differently.  They are trained not to feel as though they are working in the theme park industry, but rather, they are trained to feel as though they are in the entertainment industry.  This way, Disney employees can grant visitors a rich, authentic experience they can get nowhere else.  So, needless to say, a job at Disney requires exceptional acting talent.

A fond memory I have from Disney took place when I was fourteen.  At this time, I played the clarinet in my high school marching band.  During a five day school trip that involved both the band and choir programs, my classmates and I marched down main street in the Magic Kingdom playing "Conga," by Gloria Estefan.  A Latin-Rock song suited for warm weather and palm trees.

Another great thing about Disney is that they pride themselves in having top industry support for individuals with disabilities, including autism.   They recently won the Gold Autism Award on behalf of the United Kingdom Autism Foundation.  In addition to acting training, Disney employees receive extensive training to accommodate those with autism, as well as other disabilities.  A Disney executive is quoted saying the following in my source: he said "part of Disney's heritage is to have no one feel excluded."

Click on the following link to read more and to view my source: 

http://thedisneyblog.com/2012/08/31/walt-disney-world-receives-award-for-autism-awareness/