If You're A "neurodivergent Safe Space" Are You Normal About People With NPD? Are You Normal About Systems?

i made this instagram post !!! there isn't as big of a community of AAC users on instagram so I thought I would share this on my instagram (@cytochromesea).

EDIT: i got an ask that states that not everyone knows what AAC is which is an oversight on my part, it stands for alternative and augmentative communication!

Image ID:

A light blue background with a rainbow and a cloud and some stars. There is a blue border collie with wings holding an aac tablet that says I love you! Text reads: AAC etiquette. Do’s, Don’ts, and other stuff. By cytochrome sea.

The same background appears in every following slide. Text reads:

AAC is my voice! It is not a toy or accessory

Don’t touch my AAC without my permission

Don’t take my AAC away from me, for any reason (joke, punishment, etc)

Don’t press buttons randomly or flip through my communication cards without permission

How would you like it if I randomly poked you on the mouth and throat (or on your hands if you sign)? It would be unpleasant, so don’t do that to me

Some AAC users can speak sometimes. It is not your business why someone can or cannot talk

Don’t ask questions about why an AAC user cannot speak. 

Do let us communicate however is best for us in that moment

Don’t ask us if or when we will be able to speak verbally. It’s not your business 

Do not value verbal speech more highly than AAC. Any communication is good communication

Some of us never talk, either, and that’s ok! Those of us who can talk sometimes are not better than those of us who can’t. None of us owe you an explanation for our use of AAC.

Don’t look at my screen until I show you. It feels really invasive!

It feels like when someone is looking at your phone screen over your shoulder, so please don’t do this

This applies to low tech AAC as well, don’t look at someone’s cards or letter board until they show you

You have the dignity of forming your thoughts in your head before you say them, whereas my thoughts are all on display. Please afford me the same dignity that you get automatically.

Don’t shame someone for not being able to speak verbally. It makes us feel horrible

We are real people with thoughts and feelings. Please treat us with kindness. 

We are trying our best

Don’t shame someone if their device mispronounces a word. It’s quite literally out of our control.

Other Don’ts. Don’t

Don't Treat an AAC user as childish or stupid for not being able to speak. Our ability to speak does not define our worth

Don't Show frustration at the way someone communicates

Don't Make comments about how fast or slow we communicate

Also don’t…

don't Act surprised when we swear or talk about adult topics like sex, drugs, or violence. We are not pure uwu precious smol beans, we are normal fucking people

don't Assume what is “wrong” with us. There are about a hundred reasons for someone to use AAC and you probably aren’t the expert in any of them.

“OK, so what CAN i do?” im glad you asked! When interacting with an AAC user, DO…

Ask us how we prefer to communicate and support us as you are able

Assume that we are competent

Talk to us with the same respect, tone and vocabulary that you would for any one else

Give us money (this one is a joke)

Understand that AAC grammar isn’t perfect and we are doing our best

Is it rude if…

I can’t understand your device? Not rude! Misunderstandings happen all the time in any conversation, just be patient as you would normally. 

I want to complement your AAC? Not rude!

I ask to see your AAC and understand how it works? This isn’t rude if you are already talking about AAC, but don’t ask random strangers this. They don’t owe you an AAC tour. 

Thank you for listening! This post is for the community! If you are an AAC user, let me know if I missed something in the comments and I will pin it! I hope you are filled with peace and love and I hope something good happens to you today! End ID. 

"Omg I still think about my ex, I'm so delusional!!"

I was forcibly transported to the psych ward from my school in an ambulance because I listened to Right Now by Korn one too many times, became convinced I was God, and tried to prove it by performing a hex on someone I didn't like, and then once I was in the psych ward I spent nearly 2 days babbling about Christ and the Second Coming (not that I remember much) and the only thing that got me out of it was some shitty chocolate pudding and old reruns of teenage mutant ninja turtles from 2012 to remind me I was a real person

But yk. Delulu girls for the win ig

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TODAY'S FACT IS

Did you know that the Acorn Weevil (Curculio glandium) uses its fantastic lil snooter to drill into acorns to eat the insides? Once the insides are hollowed out, the female weevil uses her long ovipositor to lay her eggs in the safety of the nut. The acorn heals and closes the top of the holes, protecting the eggs and larvae.

These crafty fellas are freeze avoidant, meaning their internal fluids do not freeze during the winter.

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AI under capitalism

I submit the giant carpenter bee

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TODAY'S FACT IS

Did you know that the Broad-Handed Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa latipes) makes its homes by digging long tunnels into dead woods?

These solitary bees are found throughout southeast Asia and are among the largest of the world's bees.

These large fellas are excellent pollinators for passionfruit.

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Photo by Svetlana Shchavelina

studying while regressed is so heckin funny cuz can someone tell me why that 6 year old is learning the quadratic formula?!?