The New Chris King
“The New” Chris King
Another day and another website. If you are hesitant, let me clarify that this website presents a different perspective. What has changed? Well, for one, me.
Really, “ol” Chris King is no longer important. What IS important, is “new” Chris King’s focus and intention to achieving positive outcomes. I think anyone who has interacted with me over the years will agree I always try to have something good to contribute, all the time, both online and off. It is true there is a seriousness to this commitment, “new” Chris still has that ol sense of humour. And having navigated through so many challenges, I’m better equipped than ever before.
“Old” Chris King
Back when emotional turbulance was the status quo, I knew I needed help. So after some pressure, I decided to finally reach out to a psychiatrist. While the support was good in the beginning, it was many years before I opened up. I remember one time, just when I thought I need to open up a bit more, the shrink told me “You are a tough nut to crack.” Something had to give.
So ever so gradually I began to engage more frankly during each session. And around the same time, I started doing public speaking courses, to try and talk more openly with everyone, not just in a private setting. Sharing some of my life in a public speaking program just felt right, and it was high time to let in some light. With these small steps a life started coming into greater focus.
A few years later, probably after an emotional outpouring (I am still human) I ended in the office of a psychologist at the Ottawa Hospital for a more “formal” assessment. How much it helped I don’t know. But it definiltey set me on a new path. The diagnosis from The Ottawa Hospital seemed to be telling me, on a letter sized sheet of paper, and with a healthy does of medical jargon, I have “Asperger syndrome.” (now called Autism Spectrum Disorder). I wish they had been more clear about that, but over time I gradually learned to accept it.
What is ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)?
For me ASD was and continues to be a challenging reality to accept, especially considering the many meaningful friendships I’d had in my adolescence, and parts of my 20s. Yet I have learned to admit there are still circumstances where social interaction has often felt beyond my reach.
ASD manifests differently for each individual, sometimes characterized by challenges such as reduced eye contact, fidgeting, specific interests, or social discomfort. While all these traits do not always show up in me, they can emerge in specific contexts. But I always make a good effort to conceal these discomforts. I think this is what the neurodivergent community often refers to as “masking”.
For me, the primary challenges associated with ASD is the accompanying stigma. Regardless of one’s knowledge or experience with autism, biases remain. I’ve come to realize over time that by disclosing my ASD status, people will almost always may make assumptions about my capabilities and behaviors, sometimes unfairly stating that I am behaving awkardly, for example, or not conforming to normal behavioral patterns. For those who know me best, they will like tell you this is rarely the case.
“Able Spectrum” stands by the belief that those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (or any disability) should not be solely defined by the condition. Disabilities are merely one aspect of a person who is so much more.
My dream is for a world that recognizes individuals with disabilities are just like everyone else. “Able Spectrum” chooses to focus on a persons abilities – rather than focusing only on the far less important “disability”.
I invite you to join my mission to demonstrate the valuable contributions of individuals with disabilities. By recognizing the entirety of a person—the 95% of the spectrum representing abilities rather than disabilities—I truly believe we can contribute more positively to society as a whole.
For those of whom my message finds meaning, I express my heartfelt gratitude. And for those who are still on the fence, I urge you to continue to learn more, and be patient and kind with everyone, no matter what. We are all just trying to find our happy place in the world.
While I may sometimes exhibit passion when discussing these topics, my intention is always to be considerate. Should you have questions, please feel free to reach out for further discussion.
Thank for reading, and more to come soon.