Tiffany Joseph

When we get pregnant our senses get stronger, like that of smell and taste especially, which in turn protects the unborn child from the mom being exposed to toxic substances or noxious smells. But what if you already have super sensitive taste and smell? As a kid, I didn’t eat much because I could taste or smell subtle things I suspect others didn’t, which always made me nauseated. But since I was pregnant, I could smell cigarettes two cars away in the winter (all windows up) before I even saw it. I craved watermelons but took back almost every one because I could detect even slightly unfresh fruit. I could tell the difference between canned Dr. Pepper vs bottled. And I could only drink the cans. That time when it was new was very irritating for me 🙄 And ever since I have had my kids, I can’t stand light, I smell and taste even more. I wonder if other Autistic parents have gone through this? There’s not a lot of info on pregnancy and autism. I am thinking of this now because my child's sensory issues seem to be getting worse as puberty is going on. I really don’t remember if my sensory issues increased back then. Text in comments and alt-text #AutisticAdult #AutismFamily #AutisticParent #AutisticMom #SensoryProcessingDisorder #SPD #SensoryFriendly

I have a YouTube video coming out about stimming. I have always and will always move my fingers in ways that stretch them. I love to feel a stretch. I guess that's a sense I seek. This video is from August 2017 . . Video description: I am posturing my fingers backward toward my wrist.

Go to the link in my bio (lnk.bio/autism) to hit the link to locate a DEVELOPMENTAL optometrist in your country! Text: "Some of the best advice I give during consultations, I forget to tell everyone. Here is the most important thing I forgot to tell y’all: ALL Autistic people need a comprehensive eye exam from a developmental optometrist. Not opthmalogist, OPTOMETRIST. You or your loved one, especially if Nonspeaking, likely need vision therapy too. It’s important for hand-eye coordination Scanning, tracking, and even moving the body. This means, it may be impossible to point to an AAC device, or grab a picture card to communicate Going down or up stairs, playing with toys and so on... It’s all hard if you see double or can’t focus your eyes on any particular point Vision therapy helps with all of those things. The problem with this and most diagnoses is that we are not given all the information we need in the beginning Vision therapy is one of those things, like EEGs to test brainwaves. They should be covered and given to everyone upon diagnosis. Find a local developmental optometrist who is certified in vision therapy. Go to: COVD.org (not covid) Go to locate. Click the box that says “certified vision therapy” . As with many things, me and my kids don’t have access because It is not often covered by insurance or Medicaid. But if you do, please don’t fail to see these life-changing doctors!" . . #OnTheSpectrum #OcularApraxia #EyelidApraxia #DevelopmentalDisabilities #DevelopmentalDisability #DevelopmentalOptometry #DevelopmentalOptometrist #VisionTherapy #Apraxia #Dyspraxia #AutismFamily #ThisIsAutism #AutismMamas

I just hit 100k views on YouTube! I love doing videos in long-form because I can get way deeper into things than I can on platforms like Instagram. Subscribe and catch up on the videos you have missed! I just put out a new video on Autistic Burnout. I also have a couple of popular videos on ABA. You can find my channel via my link in bio. . . Image description: A congratulatory certificate by @vidiq says congratulations for hitting 100,000 views. . . #YouTubeChannel #AutisticAdult #Autizzy #ThisIsWhatAutismLooksLike #Stimming #AutismMom #AutismAcceptance

If I could be different, I'd do it for you I would change who I am, I would talk more, hug more, and share more And be there the way you need me to. . . Video description: Text on screen says, being Autistic and making people feel lonely even if I am with them . . . #ThisIsAutism #AutisticAdult #autizzy #AutismFamily #neurodivergent #AutismParents #AutismMom

My proudest achievements are IRL activism and advocacy. On this day, I spoke to the state legislature with the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council. @mdddcouncil. The goal was to help pass a bill that provides legal and advocate help for low-income families with Disabled children. It passed! Marylanders will have access to attorneys, Master IEP coaches, advocates and anyone of their choosing to help with what they need for IEPS, 504s, and Special Education all throughout a child's school years from Pre-K through age 21. Image Description: Me and 3 other Council members are posing for a picture. The text around that photo says "HB 903/SB 797: Education - Access to Attorneys, Advocates, and Consultants for Special Education Program and Fund Established This bill establishes the Access to Attorneys, Advocates, and Consultants for Special Education Program. The purpose of the program is to provide funding for resources and services to eligible students with disabilities and their families who need legal, advocacy, and consultant services. $1 million was added to the FY25 budget for the program. The bill passed. "Children with disabilities have the right to a free, appropriate public education. They need and want to learn and play together at school. The Council worked closely with the Education Advocacy Coalition, legislators, and other stake- holders because many families need and want advocacy support as they navigate the special education process for their children. There are few free and low cost options available. By allowing low and lower income families to access assistance, more familties will be able to get the advice, support, and representation that other families are able to secure on their own, and will be better able to address dificult issues with their child's team. This program would help parents [with a disability] like me access the help need I to make sure my child gets the education they need to be successful." - Council member Tiffany Joseph in her testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee on HB 903" . #MDDDC #DisabilityActivism #DisabilityJustice #MarylandPride #DevelopmentalDisabilities #IntellectualDisability #Autism

We assume no intellect in people whose bodies can't show intelligence the way that neurotypical, non-disabled people can. But, we can just as easily assume the opposite; that a person has deep and critical thoughts that are trapped behind a body that can't show it. . . Video description: I am dancing to the music. The text on screen says, Who do I Block? People who say the believe in faith without seeing it, but insist on believing that a Nonspeaking Disabled person who can't show it in thr neurotypical, non-disabled way means they don't have any. #NonverbalAutism #NonspeakingAutism #NonspeakingDoesNotMeanNonThinking

This is how I feel about the Netflix documentary, Tell Them You Love Me. Nobody can seem to discuss the themes from his side, as a man of intelligence without a seeing how all the other sides are all wrong. That’s all I will be saying about this.

These are apparently the instructions going around when it comes to most AAC implementations 😕😕

When I was little and either couldn’t communicate my sensory distress or didn’t even know I was in distress, every other “behavior” that came out of that sensory overload brought me more trouble. But sleep, when you are a kid, makes you loved by adults. You immediately and safely get out of their hair and are no longer a behavior problem. No longer bouncing around, annoying them. No longer a bother. One day I learned that adults praise “nappers”. I loved adult praise as a kid. One other awesome thing about sleeping is that it can be a quick escape AND pleasant alternative to bothering the adults around me; a win for everyone. Now, I parent a non-sleeper... And I see, the adults weren’t bothered by me. They were exhausted and needed sleep 😬.

*Go read the entire comment on the main page. It discusses limited programs and daycare options because a kid not toilet trained is unable to attend many types of schools and daycare. To feed our kids, we have to have income. To have income, most of us have to work and that means someone has to watch our kids. Guess what... most daycares either won't take a child who can't use the toilet independently or they charge them a lot extra. Extra fees on top of an already expensive service is just no accessible to most of us parents. But guess who will take our Autistic children 40 hours a week until they are in school? Yes, ABA will. And when that is the only way to feed your children, what decision is obvious here? Exactly, ABA. So when so many typical programs are financially inaccessible to families simply because they have a Disabled child, I mind my business and don't judge their situation. Comment I replied to says, "Could not agree more. It's something I talked about with our state representative and school board because..."

This is the intro to the mini-book I wrote on being Autistic and using the bathroom (link in bio). I don’t understand why people's worth or the worth of their parenting is so tied to toileting in this society? A few generations ago, toilets didn't even exist. It was a normal inconvenience in life, but we all went through crap to go...puns intended. Transcript: Potty training is one of those things where people feel so judged when their loved one can’t do it if over the age of 2 or 3 years old. If they only understood biology, neurology and the Autistic body, then those judgy commenters would be supportive instead. They would fight for adult changing areas and family bathrooms in more places. They would fight for changes in pricing for adult overnight underwear or diapers and insurance coverage instead of being okay with the status quo. Unfortunately, too many people refuse to understand while feeling entitled to their judgment of your family. Being sensitive to the way this topic causes mistreatment is important. #PottyTraining #PottyTrainingTips #ToiletTraining #AutismandPottyTraining #AutisticAdult #NeurogenicBladder #Dyspraxia

Transcript: I know that parent worry about their kids future. This is especially true and seems even more daunting and scary with Disabled children. The thing is… regardless of how we present or how close to what you think your child’s traits are, Disabled adults are your child’s future. Not only have we been through things that may be similar to your child, but we have had time and space to process those things and can look back in a way that you can’t when going through the situation currently. Not only that, but we have most likely made a few mistakes and success along the way that might be helpful not just for you as a parent, but most importantly for your child. We might have some workarounds or adaptations that could be the very answer you are worrying about. We might actually have some solutions you never thought of because being in a situation is totally different than parenting and there are bound to be some things that you wouldn’t even notice. Finally, Disabled people know how to be a community in general. Sometimes, the only way we can survive is by having each other’s backs. Generally, we are who is there when people no longer have or never had family. Young Disabled people need to be a part of that and know this community from as early as possible. But not listening to our views because we are different from your kid shuts out what they need from their community.

Text: Epilepsy is inconvenient AF. I have to try to find two weeks during my summer break to get an EEG where I can’t even leave the bed or use the bathroom alone. But it has to be dne to make sure my brain hasn’t decided to make new electricity storms 😒 #AutismAndEpilepsy #EpilepsyAndAutism #Epilepsy #AutisticAdult #epileptic #SeizuresSuck #NIH #EpilepsyMonitoring #videoEEG #EEG