Category Archives: handling discomfort

Uncomfortable… So what?!?

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Leah Kelley

I have been thinking about how often we are uncomfortable with feeling uncomfortable (which I cannot help but note is ironically circular in its very definition), and that I have observed and experienced the inherently powerful and positive opportunity that … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, being wrong, discomfort avoidance, Handling Change, handling discomfort, listening, Loud Hands | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Sometimes I cringe: Leaning into my discomfort

Posted on April 13, 2013 by Leah Kelley

Sometimes I read something that I’ve written long ago – and I  cringe. Sometimes I am tempted to change a few words to reflect what I know now. But there is a usefulness to this. It is a way of … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, acceptance, Aspergers, Autism, being wrong, Big sister, diversity, handling discomfort, Neurodiversity, perspective of others, prejudice, privilege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Yours, Mine and Ours: autism, self-advocacy, and setting limits

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Leah Kelley

Originally posted on Thirty Days of Autism:
I have been thinking about limits: the edges of ourselves… that place where we interface with the world. Our limits and where we set them are the control valves for our emotional, social,…

Posted in acceptance, ASD, Aspergers, Autism, calm, Flexible thinking, handling discomfort, Resiliency, self-advocacy, visual strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I am so OK with being wrong…

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Leah Kelley

I am WRONG… rather often actually; I don’t know – what I don’t know – until I have found out – that I don’t know it… As convoluted as that may sound, it makes sense really. It is a relatively … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, being wrong, discomfort avoidance, good enough thinking, Handling Change, handling discomfort, Resiliency, Special Education | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Out on a limb and taking risks: Aaaaaaack!!

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Leah Kelley

I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.                             ~Pablo Picasso Today I did something amazing… But first, I do need to confess that I am deathly afraid of … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, connections, handling discomfort, relationships, Resiliency, Teacher | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Mom… tell me what I did wrong: Autism and Social Development

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Leah Kelley

In my role as an educator I often remind others (myself included) to consider that H and others like him who are Autistic are working doubly hard to make their way in the world. The effort my child makes to … Continue reading →

Posted in aproximating typical, Aspergers, Autism, Goals, handling discomfort, HFASD, Parent, Social cognition, Tears | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

Michelle Garcia Winner and Amazing Social Thinking Strategies: I ❤ this stuff!

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Leah Kelley

Last fall I went to a conference on Preparing for Transitions to Adulthood and Beyond… with Michelle Garcia Winner. I just love the work she is doing with Social Thinking: I love the work this enables me to do with … Continue reading →

Posted in Aspergers, Autism, handling discomfort, Hopes and Big Dreams, interventionsist, Michelle Garcia Winner, Social Thinking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Not eloquent… just tired

Posted on June 4, 2011 by Leah Kelley

Last night I participated in Relay for Life – a 12 hour event to raise funds for Cancer Research. I was up all night and, I although I require little sleep, I just can’t pull that off anymore. As I … Continue reading →

Posted in Aspergers, Autism, fitting in, handling discomfort, Neurotypical, Social cognition | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Resiliency and The Big Apple

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Leah Kelley

This boy of mine has big plans: he is saving to go to New York City. I am not certain why he is so driven to get there, but I suspect it is a combination of wanting to relive Home … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, discomfort avoidance, Goals, handling discomfort, New York, Parent, Resiliency, sticky | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments