From the Compost Heap header. A pencil style illustration of a compost heap with flowers and plants growing around it. A bee buzzes by and a white rabbit hops by.

Don’t skip this one. 🌻

Three proofs of How it Feels to Me with a hand drawn figure surrounded by a halo of colorful objects. My typewriter, a succulent, and a stack of Spectrum zines are also visible.

I have an important update today.

But first, a peek inside my mental drafts folder…

  • 10 Years Post Autism Diagnosis
  • Finding Your Why (probably a zine)
  • Dynamic Disability (& new chronic illness diagnosis)
  • Embracing Supports (maybe a zine)
  • Discovering my Fiction Writing Process

But I’m skipping over all of that for a time sensitive PSA.

Tylenol does not cause autism.

Big mistake.

I logged back into Instagram after 8 months away.

I couldn’t have chosen a worse time to do so.*

Instagram (at least the current iteration) is dangerous to my mental health. What used to be a light hearted photo sharing app has now turned into another algorithmic dumpster fire.

I tried everything.

I blocked accounts, “curated” my feed, and did my best to train the algorithm. Near the end I even downloaded a social media blocking app to limit my usage to midday.

I was already struggling.

Then the autism news hit.

Nope. I can’t be here. I’m out.

I naively imagined that the next generation of autistics could grow up with less stigma. To know who they are and unabashedly ask for support.

To see that progress purposefully eroded is gutting.

My nervous system simply cannot handle the horrors and catastrophizing on endless algorithmic remix.

And it’s not just autistics under attack. Every marginalized group is in real crisis right now. Science and education have been defunded.

There is a new fresh horror every day.

An embroidery frame holds a cross stitch that reads "I'm Fine". A second image shows the reverse which is a tangled mess of navy blue thread.
Read I’m Fine – a digitized zine about self regulation & advocacy

It’s easy to feel helpless when the world is on fire.

That is what they want.

But I’m not having it.

Let’s self regulate and take one positive action.

Together.

My Action Steps

Here’s what I can do.

  • Be autistic in public.
  • Model nervous system support for my fellow neurodivergent folks (and sensitive souls who may not even realize they are neurodivergent.)
  • Continue creating resources that educate about the autistic experience.
My zine making area with Spectrum and Chaos Gardening zines, paper cutter, and watercolor wash circles.

Your Action Steps

If you want to be an ally here are ways to help.

Choose 1 or 2.

  • Speak up when you hear misinformation and harmful rhetoric.
  • Share my Spectrum blog post or zine.
  • Contact your representatives. Tell them autism is not a disease to be cured.
  • Preorder How it Feels to Me (a picture book about sensory processing.) This is a crowdfunded project I am creating with autistic illustrator Gracie Klumpp.
Three proofs of How it Feels to Me with a hand drawn figure surrounded by a halo of colorful objects. My typewriter, a succulent, and a stack of Spectrum zines are also visible.

We just got a new set of proofs and are feeling very excited about next steps. After changing book binders we are a bit over budget – so if you preorder now it will be a big help.

If you don’t need a book yourself you can also choose to donate your copy and we’ll be sure it gets to someone who needs it.

PREORDER

I’m feeling particularly vulnerable this week.

If this email resonated I’d appreciate hearing from you.

Take Care,

Sarah signed with a swoopy S
FOOTNOTES

* Why did I do this? Because I met some cool people at the NWA Maker’s Faire and thought maybe I should try and better follow local creative events.

Cross Pollinate 🐝