🌀 The Giggle Siege: Zaxby’s Edition Date: August 5, 2025 Tonight, I went to Zaxby’s just thinking I’d get some food—not a full-on gender identity comedy showdown in the drive-thru. But the universe had other plans. The girl at the speaker was new. Like always, they asked for my name. I was in a good mood, so my voice was a little higher when I said, “It’s Caleb.” She misheard it as “Kayla” and started giggling. That got me giggling. I corrected her—“It’s Caleb”—but now we were both cracking up. Then she asked, “Is there a girl in the car with you?” I answered, “Maybe Maybe not.” 😏 I heard the rest of the staff laughing inside. They were on to me . I said, “I’m a guy,” and that sent us all over the edge giggling again. That’s when the guy in the truck behind me hollered, “Would you two girls stop giggling and just order?! And you inside, take her order already!” Without missing a beat, I dropped into the deepest voice I could summon and said: “Who you calling a gir...

The Giddy Gremlin Strikes Again Posted on August 3, 2025 I have no idea what’s going on with me today—but I’m giddy as hell , and honestly? I’m not even mad about it. John walked into work, took one look at me, and said something like, “You’re in a mood today.” And I was like, “Yep. Giddy as hell. No clue why.” And that’s the truth. I can’t pin it on anything. No new toy. No sugar rush. No big news. Just… my brain decided it was a good day to throw a dance party in my nervous system. And I’m loving it. It’s like this fizzy, bubbly feeling that makes everything feel kind of sparkly. Like the world is one big inside joke and I’m the only one who gets the punchline. My grin won’t quit. I keep wanting to spin around or stim or say weird things just for the fun of it. And you know what? That’s joy . That’s autistic joy in full bloom, and I’m not about to question it. I’ve spent so much of my life managing sensory storm...

Why Do So Many Autistic People Look Younger Than We Are? It’s something I’ve noticed in myself and in others in the neurodivergent community — we often get mistaken for being younger than we are. I’ll be working, joking around, or just smiling off into space, and someone will say, “You look like a kid again.” At first, I thought it was just me. But the more autistic people I met, the more I saw it wasn’t just a coincidence. There’s something deeper going on. So I started digging into it. Is it neurological? Is it sensory? Is it how we show up in the world? Turns out… it’s kind of all of the above. 🧠 Neurological Expression Autistic people often express emotions, tone, and body language differently. Our faces may be more neutral, animated, or expressive in ways that resemble younger people. Some of us smile big, use playful tones, or stim with joy — and neurotypicals read that as childlike. But really, it’s just authentic e...

🌀 Zoned Out, Tuned In, and Giggling Yesterday at work, I had one of those moments . You know, the kind where the autism just takes over—in the best possible way. Me and John were working, and I was standing at the counter beside him, totally vibing in my own little world. He suddenly said my name, and I turned my head slowly to the left with a massive, shit-eating grin plastered on my face. Without missing a beat, he goes, “It’s the autism.” And just like that, I snapped back and started giggling. Turns out, John was on video chat with our friend Silas. He told Silas I had been staring off into space with that goofy grin, completely gone in the void. So Silas, being Silas, wanted to see it for himself and called my name through the video chat. I did the slow head turn again—still not totally back in reality—but that giggle I let out? Priceless . Silas died laughing. Honestly? It felt so good to be known like that. No judgement. No trying to “snap out ...

 Some days at O’Reilly’s are quiet. Other days, they’re like this. Mikey had just left, and I was standing at Miranda’s counter while she and Chaz were talking. Well… they were talking; I was mostly just listening, like usual. Then this customer walks behind me and says what I swear I heard as: > “I need a room, a plastic shit, and some measuring cups for paint.” I immediately start laughing — badly trying to hold it in, failing miserably. Miranda notices and asks, “Why are you laughing?” I can’t talk, so I just hold up one finger and keep giggling because words? Not happening. Gotta love being autistic sometimes. Customer finally leaves, and both Miranda and Chaz look right at me, dead serious, and say together: > “Tell us what’s so funny, or we’re calling your mother.” That got my attention real quick. 😂 I finally manage to say: > “I thought he said he needed a roll of shit on plastic and measuring cups.” And Chaz, in perfect comic timing, says: > “I hope he can pinc...

Sometimes a moment sneaks up and turns into magic. Today, my bed called to me—and I answered. Not with sleep. With bouncing. The mattress had just the right spring. I started jumping, not even thinking why. And suddenly, a word was echoing in my head over and over: “Trios.” Over and over. Trios. Trios. Trios. I don’t even speak French, but somehow it became part of the rhythm. Every bounce matched the beat of the word. I let it happen. I bounced. I giggled. I said “trios” again and again until it all became this perfect stim moment. My whole body vibed with joy. It didn’t need to make sense. It just needed to feel right. And it did. Why it matters: Because I didn’t fight the stim. I didn’t question the loop. I just let myself be autistic, free, and happy in my own body. That’s what regulation can look like—pure joy. Let’s hear it for beds that bounce, words that loop, and moments that remind us we are allowed to feel good.

🌀 When You’re Not Supposed to Laugh… But Your Autistic Brain Says LOL Anyway 🌀 That time I nearly laughed myself into another dimension Date: June 23, 2025 Posted by: Caleb Intro: There are moments in life that hit you so sideways with laughter, you forget everything else—where you are, what’s happening, and sometimes even how to function. If you're autistic like me, that kind of laughter doesn’t just sneak up—it ambushes you, full-body style, and refuses to let go. What follows is a tale of facial expressions, uncontainable giggles, and hallway chaos with my nieces. Also… I nearly peed my pants. This is your warning. You ever have one of those moments where you’re not supposed to laugh—and that just makes it even funnier? Yeah. That happened today. And it completely wrecked me in the best way. My mom was getting on to my niece Haley. I don’t even remember what for, honestly. What I do remember is the face she was making. Something abou...