Advocate for Inclusion and Neurodiversity

Riding through COVID-19 with Hope Written by Wesley Loh, Autistic Advocate NOT to be reproduced without written permission of the author We are facing a global pandemic called COVID-19 The worst crisis in decades we have seen Or at least, so nations worldwide deem Daily sharp increases of cases, while we continue mourning in our wait for a vaccine Many shops close down, from retail to non-essential services to office & school canteen The silence in the malls and street, what an unusual scene   Everyone is barred from meeting physically, we wonder how our family and friends have been As we work and study from home, staring at the screen What a major disruption to our routine We must stand united and cooperate if we want to emerge from this crisis strong and supreme   Stay at home and keep your home clean Be considerate to others, don’t behave like you are the Queen Work or study hard, but take breaks in between , for you are human, not a ma...

Autism Acceptance 2020 Poem This month we celebrate Autism Acceptance This annual occasion never turns into one of obsolescence But is one we await with renewed expectance What does this really mean in essence Awareness is already omnipresent What we need so dearly is acceptance Kindness, love and affection All too often we autistics find others keeping a distance Or denying us into that their social circle an admittance Because they don’t understand our difference Must our interaction with the world be met with so much resistance Causing this to accumulate within us a sense of sadness and resentment? Everyone has differing personalities and needs, we are no exception Exercise some patience, compassion and forbearance That we may reciprocate likewise, instead of in vengeance Pardon a bit of awkwardness when into social events we make an entrance Like a party or a wedding reception We are sincere in showing our support through our attendance ...

ANONYMOUS QUESTION : this is for my own self reflection, I would like to understand better, what do you mean by love and accept you because of your autism and not in spite of? ANSWER from an autistic person: It means to love yourself in your entirety. Don’t say “I love who I am even though I’m fat” for example. I love myself for my differences - my hyperactivity gives me energy when I need it, my lack of focus enables me to concentrate on many conversations simultaneously, my ability to hyper focus combined with my need to “deep dive” into my special area enables me to be an expert in things I love. Does this make sense. I love who I am because of my Autistic traits. It is a “strength-based” approach to loving who you are. Instead of seeing your Autistic traits through a negative lens, you see them through a strength based lens which means you will love yourself for these traits. MY OWN ANSWERS Examples for illustration below: IN SPITE OF Autism mentality - we dislike ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikioIpTcBbI A great video (link above) offering refreshing insights for autistics and for employers  1)   NEURODIVERSITY : how it can contribute to the workplace  when the thoughts of Neurodiverse people tapped into and unlock the refreshing ideas and insights from their brains. 2)    MICROSOFT , a giant company, have: - sought out autistic employees, - changed the interview process,  - gives them more time show their abilities  - hires substance overfit  (as in from the term job fit or how companies hire based on 'fit') Microsoft is reinventing the wheel! They are changing/transforming the way the system operates (pun intended!😆🤭) 3)  Key takeaway: NEURODIVERSITY can be  a) healthy, b) productive , c) innovative  and  is a COMPETIVE ADVANTAGE for employers  The speaker ends of by saying whether it is ASD, ADHD or whatever don't und...