Link: Understanding the Spectrum

[sonia]

In her comic Understanding the Spectrum, Rebecca Burgess's character Archie explains that autism is not a linear spectrum from low to high, but a color wheel of different areas of skill and difficulty.

Archie says, "Each person with autism will have a set of traits all in different areas of the spectrum. The areas where they don't have a trait will function no differently to a neurotypical brain, but may be affected by circumstances. In example, I am good at making conversation (language). But I get sensory overload in loud and crowded spaces, which then makes conversation very hard for me."

via jesse_the_k

Comments

[gingicat]

Before we went to hybrid (and therefore shared desks) I had this posted on my wall at work, 4 panels to an 8.5x11 page.

[sonia]

That sounds brave! Did it lead to good conversations with coworkers?

[zdenka]

I think it's a good explanation.

[sonia]

Yay!

[silveradept]

That explanation works very well, and I like that it both highlights how different people will need different accommodations, and the dangers of making a spectral situation linear. It's a pretty good explainer for other neurodivergences, as well.

[sonia]

That’s a good point about it applying to other neurodivergences too.