⟢　Selective Mutism　𓃉

This flag can be used by anyone who is selectively mute, no matter the reason. Could be caused by autism, trauma, anxiety, or any other reason.

　— Requested by anonymous. Alt flag.

i made this instagram post !!! there isn't as big of a community of AAC users on instagram so I thought I would share this on my instagram (@cytochromesea).

EDIT: i got an ask that states that not everyone knows what AAC is which is an oversight on my part, it stands for alternative and augmentative communication!

Image ID:

A light blue background with a rainbow and a cloud and some stars. There is a blue border collie with wings holding an aac tablet that says I love you! Text reads: AAC etiquette. Do’s, Don’ts, and other stuff. By cytochrome sea.

The same background appears in every following slide. Text reads:

Don’t touch my AAC without my permission

Don’t take my AAC away from me, for any reason (joke, punishment, etc)

Don’t press buttons randomly or flip through my communication cards without permission

How would you like it if I randomly poked you on the mouth and throat (or on your hands if you sign)? It would be unpleasant, so don’t do that to me

Don’t ask questions about why an AAC user cannot speak. 

Do let us communicate however is best for us in that moment

Don’t ask us if or when we will be able to speak verbally. It’s not your business 

Do not value verbal speech more highly than AAC. Any communication is good communication

Some of us never talk, either, and that’s ok! Those of us who can talk sometimes are not better than those of us who can’t. None of us owe you an explanation for our use of AAC.

It feels like when someone is looking at your phone screen over your shoulder, so please don’t do this

This applies to low tech AAC as well, don’t look at someone’s cards or letter board until they show you

You have the dignity of forming your thoughts in your head before you say them, whereas my thoughts are all on display. Please afford me the same dignity that you get automatically.

We are real people with thoughts and feelings. Please treat us with kindness. 

We are trying our best

Don’t shame someone if their device mispronounces a word. It’s quite literally out of our control.

Other Don’ts. Don’t

Don't Treat an AAC user as childish or stupid for not being able to speak. Our ability to speak does not define our worth

Don't Show frustration at the way someone communicates

Don't Make comments about how fast or slow we communicate

Also don’t…

don't Act surprised when we swear or talk about adult topics like sex, drugs, or violence. We are not pure uwu precious smol beans, we are normal fucking people

don't Assume what is “wrong” with us. There are about a hundred reasons for someone to use AAC and you probably aren’t the expert in any of them.

“OK, so what CAN i do?” im glad you asked! When interacting with an AAC user, DO…

Ask us how we prefer to communicate and support us as you are able

Assume that we are competent

Talk to us with the same respect, tone and vocabulary that you would for any one else

Give us money (this one is a joke)

Understand that AAC grammar isn’t perfect and we are doing our best

Is it rude if…

I can’t understand your device? Not rude! Misunderstandings happen all the time in any conversation, just be patient as you would normally. 

I want to complement your AAC? Not rude!

I ask to see your AAC and understand how it works? This isn’t rude if you are already talking about AAC, but don’t ask random strangers this. They don’t owe you an AAC tour. 

Thank you for listening! This post is for the community! If you are an AAC user, let me know if I missed something in the comments and I will pin it! I hope you are filled with peace and love and I hope something good happens to you today! End ID. 

“why do you stretch your shoulderblades so much?” my wings boy. boy my wings

really grasping at straws to try and call me “ableist” or “saneist” because I said thickened water is not for making fucking slime stim toys .

it’s actually massively insulting to neurodivergent people’s actual real and serious struggles (like being incarcerated, or being homeless, or being the target of abuse, or going hungry)

if you genuinely believe that ppl on ventilators and paralyzed ppl are oppressing you and “hateful” for telling you that thick water is not a toy and that you shouldn’t use it to make slime with then please fall down a flight of stairs and break several bones. thanks

You want me to take what test?? The 16 Personalities Test???? I have more than that.

Happy Aromantic week to aro alters and systems!!!

i forgot i can draw

Heh... These guys don't even know the true extent of my power...! (tries to switch to my awesome demon wolf alter but instead one of my many Old Man alters appears) Where am i

being immortal and having DID must be crazy. yeah our boy Carlos hasn't fronted in 300 years and just woke up to the sound of Uptown Funk and started screaming

"what did I miss"

"two world wars"

Forget every article you have ever read. This music video is what it’s actually like to be a system

Survey about DID assumptions

For my school research assignment, I want to see how Media representation of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) falls short and how that leads to false assumptions about systems. If you could take the time to fill out the form and spread it around, that'd be lovely!!

Reblogs greatly appreciated!!

system pfps and banners

littles [stuffies + animals for faceless littles ^_^]

additions to my new battle jacket :3