Photo taken by contributor autisticaplanet, a woman in her thirties who has Asperger’s Syndrome and accompanying anxiety related to social and sensory issues. She also has OCD. She writes a blog to pass along lifelong lessons to help those, adults in particular, dealing with Asperger’s. She hopes to help neurotypical people better understand the “complexities within the complexities” of autism spectrum disorders. She has had a passion for capturing images since childhood, when her father bought her a Kodak 110 on vacation. She’s been told that she sees and captures what others overlook or miss. Her work has been featured in the Daily Herald as well as the MAAP Newsletter, a publication for those with ASD and those who love them.

About this photo: “Fidget spinners are the newest fad as Pokemon Go was a year ago. Some schools have banned them as students distract themselves and others. For me, the fidget spinner will not be a fad, it will be part of my sensory toolkit to calm me when I am anxious, which is often. Spinning it helps me concentrate. It is a form of mindfulness. This spinner is heavier and sounds like a fan when spun. I enjoy the weight on my hand as I stim. I used a slow shutter speed to show motion. Stimming is a way for me to process the world around me, which is often too much.”

Find more from autisticaplanet at her website

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