Hello, my name is Lacy. Yes, that’s me above without my glasses for glare prevention. :)
This blog will be dedicated to discussions of personal experience combined with known facts/current research about autism and abuse/trauma. I have recently realized that it is my dream to promote autism awareness, as there is still way too much stigma, a lack of acceptance, and harmful stereotypes out there. A common example of the last is that autism has a certain “look” to it. Even less is currently known about how abuse/trauma effects show up in those of us who are autistic.
And, yes, I am autistic. I was first diagnosed at nine. I am also an abuse survivor as well as a recovering shopping addict and codependent. I also struggle with depression, derealization, and alexithymia. I currently self-suspect OCD, which I am planning to get evaluated for as soon as I can afford to.
In my case, depression shows up, not as a split personality exactly, but as its own form of patterns. Almost like a darker version of me that I named the Depression Queen in my college days. Depression does NOT care who you are, about your goals/ambitions in life, or your natural desire for peace and acceptance. All it cares about is destroying your very existence, and if you don't walk in resistance against it, it will swallow you whole!
It is currently estimated that between 70%-90% of us autistics have at least one co-occurring mental health or neurological condition, such as ADHD or depression. I'm no exception, which is yet another motivator for me for doing this advocacy work.
I will be addressing all of the above and more in future posts.
I have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology as well as formal training in abuse/addiction recovery coaching. For shopping addiction coaching, I highly recommend Behavioral Cents. I have also been active on various autism-related social media platforms, studied various works, such as Temple Grandin, and have personally known several other autistics. Many of the latter of whom are also abuse/trauma survivors, and at least a couple who are higher support needs than I am. Some of them are not able to speak for themselves at all and I wholeheartedly agree that it is up to those at my level to help advocate for them as well.
Lacy Pierce