Autistic Innovator :Aro: :ace:

My name is Ashley Lauren Spencer. Owner of The Autistic Innovator - a store dedicated to supporting the autistic and neurodivergent community. #AuDHD #ActuallyAutistic #neurodivergent

autistics.life instance: https://autistics.life/about
The Autistic Innovator (my store): https://shop.autisticinnovator.com
Autistic Mastodonians Discord (my server): https://discord.gg/JcHjmnahsz

Public Key

npub1gjeg5xrwak8mwmskvjn3cn7cupaxrfskjdfuj7zqhw0j7h3tncfqhd6p0e

NIP-05 Address

ashleyspencer_at_autistics.life@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsyfv52rphwmrahdctxffcuflvwq7np5ctfx57f0pqth8e0tc4euysvmltja

Author Public Key

npub1gjeg5xrwak8mwmskvjn3cn7cupaxrfskjdfuj7zqhw0j7h3tncfqhd6p0e

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Last Notes

2024-09-25 23:36:20

I was realizing earlier that I’ve sort of built myself a minority bubble during my adult life. In middle school when I learned racism existed and that I was not the same color as the majority white kids, only one white kid would be my friend. We are still friends on Facebook to this day. There weren’t that many of us minorities, so we all stuck together and formed a friend group. In high school, I also hung out with all the minority kids. They were the only ones who accepted me.
Then in my early 20’s when I went out into the world and was around a lot more white people, I often got white men who would ask me where I was from, and some refused to believe I was born in America. Since I did not look white it was impossible that I was a US citizen.
I moved to Chicago in my late 20’s and hung out in the blues scene with all the local legend blues men. Some have passed away since as they were in their 70’s. I was the only Latina in the blues scene, but I was accepted and embraced and have still maintained connections with everyone. They message me sometimes asking when I’m going to come back and visit.
When I lived in Iowa, my 5,000 population small town was very diverse. There was no majority or minorities. There were equal amounts of every race and nationality. Even had a professor from Sri Lanka and another from Kenya.
Jobs I have worked were racially diverse. One place I worked at there were a lot of Iranians, and they all adored me because they were convinced I was Iranian too.
Since I got to Texas, I’ve lived and worked in areas where “minorities” were the majority. I’ve been in a bubble ever since I was exposed to so many racists as a kid and early 20’s. It’s a nice little bubble. No one is mean to me here.

2024-09-01 23:24:39

Meme I found. It’s relatable and true for myself.
I spent a lifetime feeling like no one in the world loved me, because no one did. It’s a horrible feeling I don’t wish on anyone, so I do my best to help others not feel alone. Using both my store and this https://autistics.life instance to do that. Having a community makes us feel like we matter to someone and we find solace in having people to relate to. :RedHearts:
#ActuallyAutistic #neurodivergent #ADHD #AuDHD
https://autistics.life/system/media_attachments/files/113/064/827/504/476/962/original/96feeb59ca5a53c3.jpeg

2024-08-31 20:02:35

Saw this satire article elsewhere. Made me laugh lol
#ActuallyAutistic
https://autistics.life/system/media_attachments/files/113/058/381/123/926/190/original/cb100e78c37e35b5.jpeg

2024-08-31 16:34:39

- reply

I should also mention I have a vested personal interest in keeping https://autistics.life online.
Mastodon is my main source of socialization in my self-isolated life and I don't see that changing, so I'm not leaving the fediverse.
Also, I don't want to risk being on someone else's server because anything can happen to it. Could be shut down, abandoned, run out of funding, etc. I'd rather be on a server that I know is stable so I don't have to constantly switch accounts all over the place, and having my own server means I can have a stable Mastodon home.
So, you can be assured that I also want the server to stay online for years to come. ❤️
#ActuallyAutistic
#neurodivergent
#ADHD
#AuDHD
@npub10v4…s27h

2024-08-31 15:52:36

I don't usually make these posts, but thought I'd share the news.
I have an instance called autistics.life. It's a mastodon server for autistic and neurodivergent people.
We have a wholesome autistic/neurodivergent vibe, and we just upgraded to a 10,000 character limit.
My business pays for the hosting and it's a stable income. I'll never ask you for money to keep the server online, so it's free for you to use.
Domain registration was recently renewed for an additional 3 years. December will be 2 years this instance has been online. The host has also been in business since 2013 (11 years). It's a stable server and not going anywhere.
Check out the about page if you want to:
https://autistics.life/about
#ActuallyAutistic
#neurodivergent
#ADHD
#AuDHD
@npub10v4…s27h

2024-08-28 12:59:57

Sam is loving his new life hanging out in the tall cat tree.
#CatsOfMastodon
https://autistics.life/system/media_attachments/files/113/039/777/313/313/681/original/066a00ba7af774a5.jpeg

2024-08-25 17:50:38

He knows his name :blob_cat_melt_love:
This mouse shaped ball of catnip for him got delivered. I said, “Sam! I have a present for you!” He came running into the living room meowing like here I am! Sam liked his gift.
He learned his name very fast.
#CatsOfMastodon
https://autistics.life/system/media_attachments/files/113/023/892/511/791/167/original/3f211a83f47eb389.jpeg

2024-06-17 12:57:20

I feel this is true for all the people here on the fediverse in our autistic and ND communities. :RedHearts:
#ActuallyAutistic
#ADHD
#neurodivergent
https://autistics.life/system/media_attachments/files/112/632/060/492/177/346/original/13507c4d287cfd2e.jpeg

2024-06-12 13:48:22

Seeing people on my https://autistics.life instance making posts longer than 500 characters fills my heart with joy!
Everyone patiently waited for over a year for a character limit increase to be possible, and now we have the 2,000 character limit finally.
It’s great and I love seeing it! :blob_cat_melt_love:

2024-06-10 00:20:39

It’s time for bed but she’s comfy. :comfy_blob_cat:
#CatsOfMastodon
https://autistics.life/system/media_attachments/files/112/589/453/781/014/807/original/e209516509690a0c.jpeg

2024-06-08 19:38:16

My store’s new t-shirts got here today!
The new autistic & neurodivergent adults logo is readable printed on the shirt as the tag-less tag, so yay!
Neurodivergent and neurodiversity is such a long word, and it’s really hard to make it look good on a t-shirt. Too bad we don’t have a shorter word!
Doing my best though!
https://autistics.life/system/media_attachments/files/112/582/680/283/717/313/original/8f23058acca53558.jpeg

2024-06-06 22:52:34

- reply

I went with them (toot.io) because they’ve been in business the longest. We get every little update the day it launches, no tech issues, reliable. I’ve never had to worry about any of the tech stuff. Just get to enjoy being on my own instance. Even if I could have access to the code, I’d want someone who knows what they’re doing to manage that part so I don’t break anything.

2024-06-06 22:49:20

- reply

it’s toot.io

2024-06-06 22:32:01

- reply

Not sure. We were at 500 characters the whole time, but yesterday they said they could give my instance a higher character limit finally.

2024-06-06 21:33:46

My instance https://autistics.life has been online since December 2022.
Despite the autistic name, we welcome all autistic and neurodivergent people to autistics.life.
We just got upgraded yesterday to a 2,000 character limit too.
If you’re looking for a small autistic & neurodivergent instance home, come join us! We’d love to have you. :blob_cat_melt_love: :RainbowInfinity:
@npub10v4…s27h
@npub1y73…j097 @npub1agq…dpm6
#ActuallyAutistic #ADHD #neurodivergent

2024-06-06 20:53:26

Now that I'm spending more time on Mastodon, I'm realizing I don't follow enough people. Many of them are inactive accounts.
My feed is running dry rather quickly.
Who are some good people in the autistic and neurodivergent spaces to follow?
#ActuallyAutistic
#neurodivergent
#ADHD

2024-06-05 09:55:23

Guess what https://autistics.life!
We have a 2,000 character limit now!
Hosting company emailed me this morning with the good news!
No more threads for everyone. Yay! ❤️

2024-05-29 21:43:02

Totally wasn’t expecting the new manufactured chew necklace samples to show up today, but yay!
This one has a lot more resistance than the first samples they made. Good for hard chewers like I wanted. :)
https://autistics.life/system/media_attachments/files/112/526/551/976/583/641/original/df3033fa20793403.jpeg

2024-05-25 22:29:48

Today is Nikita's adoption anniversary and birthday.
She's been with me 11 years and is now 13 years old. 😭
Our life together has been super rough and filled with stress for both of us, but now we are in the best place in life we've ever been in. She's a relaxed carefree kitty.
I gave the cats some delectables treat pouches, and gave Nikita lots of petting (and pet her while she ate).
Nikita is my kitty life partner. 😻
#CatsOfMastodon #caturday
https://autistics.life/system/media_attachments/files/112/504/065/365/109/597/original/78b02b56d8d682bf.jpeg

2024-05-23 19:22:02

Awkward Yeti comic.
Sounds very #ADHD 😄
https://autistics.life/system/media_attachments/files/112/492/013/006/186/112/original/b0b4366835fc8665.jpg

2024-04-23 16:06:15

I can deal with the trolls and people who take me not having a diagnosis like I personally offended them and committed an injustice. But that’s just nonsense.
Trolls are nothing but an annoying nuisance.
Even without a diagnosis, YOU are valid and don’t let anyone make you feel lesser than because of it. ❤️
#ActuallyAutistic
https://autistics.life/system/media_attachments/files/112/321/378/725/891/457/original/f8d51d1cdc459aef.jpeg