The Qrkiez Blog
Discover diverse voices of the neurodivergent community.
If you’re interested in sharing your stories as a neurodiverse person, a parent or family member, a professional or mentor, an ally, or anyone else, please contact us.
Losing Friends When You’re Neurodivergent: A Funny, Honest Look at Social Struggles
—or—"They Said ‘It’s Not You, It’s Your Social Skills" (Which Was Nice of Them) You ever lose a friend so quietly, you don’t even know they left until you realize you’re talking to yourself in the group chat like a schmendrik in the void? Oy, don’t get me started. 🧠...
Autism is Everywhere: Facts & Myths Over the Years
Neurodivergence isn’t new – despite the news. Autism isn’t a modern ‘epidemic’—it’s an enduring thread in human history, from prehistoric artisans to today’s tech innovators. To suggest that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a recent phenomenon is to neglect the very...
Is Autism Really on the Rise?
In today’s New York Times, Dr. Allen Frances suggests in a guest essay a reason why autism is on the rise. Dr. Frances is part of the task force overseeing the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) that defines mental disorders,...
We Educate the Whole Self
We have all heard the saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” but how do we judge if something is actually broken? Of course, the term “broken” is quite derogatory to Neurodivergent (ND) people, and for a good reason. Still, there is a point to be made here: when...
Navigating the Workplace: Tips for Neurodivergent Employees
More and more companies are recognizing the invaluable strengths that neurodiverse employees bring to the table. This growing awareness is fostering an environment where workplace accommodations are not just provided but normalized, allowing individuals like you to...
Finding the “Sweet” Spot in “Love on the Spectrum”
I was never a reality TV guy. I used to watch some of the singing and cooking competition shows, but even those have gotten boring for me. My wife, however, more than makes up for me. A few years ago, she started talking to me about “Love on the Spectrum,” way before...
Changes Coming to QRKIEZ!
Dear Friends of QRKIEZ, Thank you for being a part of our community! We want to inform you of some changes coming to our platform. After launching our beta version, we gained some insights and incorporated them into our plans. It became clear that a focus on...
Featured Resource: Association for Autism and Neurodiversity
The Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE) is a nonprofit organization that has been supporting the autistic and neurodiverse community for over 25 years. Rooted in neurodiversity-affirming principles, AANE offers services and resources tailored to autistic...
Is Awareness Enough?
I was driving through a nearby town yesterday when I saw a police cruiser with a puzzle-piece bumper sticker for Autism Awareness Month. It warmed my heart to see that the village recognized autism enough to put a drop of money into stickers for their police units. Of...
Featured QuirkyPro: Margaret Burkes & Focus4Kids
As a parent, you want to do everything you can to help your child succeed. But it’s hard to be the best parent you can be when you’re taxed from managing your child's ADHD. Whether you’re overwhelmed from researching treatment options, frazzled by school phone calls,...