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zanyzines.bsky.social
LJ
@zanyzines.bsky.social
14 followers 21 following 41 posts
They/he pronouns please!

Zanyzines.com
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zanyzines.bsky.social
Part 3
Page 14 and 15: The same stamp of a boy waving with sun rays behind them, on yellow zig zag bordered paper, is in blue and purple. Below on the next page is written “I love my cat Hime more than I could ever put in words and she needs me to be as happy as possible. I wanna see her feel less separation anxiety and anger. She deserves stability and happiness as a senior kitty cat!” Page 16: Just the stamped waving boy in red and purple ink on the yellow paper with the zigzag border and the phrases “@zanyzines” and. “Zanyzines.com”
November 11, 2025 at 5:33 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
part 2
Page 6 and 7: In pale and dark green is the stamp of the waving face with sunshine. On yellow paper with zigzag edges. Below on page 7 is written “my diet for Gastroparesis has been incredibly dehumanizing taking my right to choose safe foods away and right when I was making progress I have a new set of guidelines for a different condition. It’s hard but the diets do work.” Page 8 and 9: There is two shades of greenish blue stamp on yellow paper with zigzag edges for the top page Below is written “I do have to do a lot of frustrating things for my health. I have to beg for money from the *systems in place* and now home supports. I get stabbed and examined and pushed to my limits and just have to push through but I see progress with these treatments. Page 10 and 11: There is green and purple inked stamps of the waving boy in front of sunshine on yellow paper with zigzag edges. Below it is some bleed through ink from the purple and red ink so it looks like an inverted version of the stamp is on page 11. On page 11 is written “ I love art and wanna learn more about music while learning about languages and I can’t do that if I’m dead or hurting myself. The arts make me so happy I wanna see all of it the world has to offer and make more than I can keep track of!” Page 12 and 13: There is the same stamp of a waving boy on this page but one is right side up and red and the other is upside down and dark blue this is all on the yellow paper with zigzag edges. In tiny letters is written “oops!!!” Below on the next page is written: “I wanna live to resolve my main fears traumas and issues holding me back. I am making progress in my many therapy sessions. My therapists actually seem to have my best interests in mind which is different than before.”
November 11, 2025 at 5:32 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
Here's one of my most recent zines! Trigger warning for suicidal thoughts and hard chronic illness and mental health stuff. This is available to trade if you're interested Thanks!

#zines
#zine
#zinester
#zinemachine
#zinemaker
#zinetrade
#suicideawareness
Title page: “But I wanna live some-times” , “ZanyZines.com @zanyzines”, “10-30-2025” with red and green ink stamps of a carved linocut person waving with sunshine rays coming out from behind them on yellow paper with zig zag edges Page 2 and 3: Badly transferred stamps (the same waving person with sunshine) that are red and dark blue on the top page. On yellow paper with zigzag edges. The pages are aligned so you’re opening from the bottom up not right to left like a traditional way to turn a page. Below the stamps on page 3 it says “I know a lot of my life currently revolves around grieving the life I could’ve had without my disabilities but even though I’m really struggling I’m also having more happy moments throughout my days!" Page 4 and 5: In blue and green stamp ink is the waving face with sunshine behind it. On yellow paper with zigzag edges. On page 5 it says “ I love my family and have amazing friendships, nowadays I’m feeling much better mentally I just lose progress when we change meds for any of my conditions and have to fight my way back to sanity” Page 6 and 7: In pale and dark green is the stamp of the waving face with sunshine. On yellow paper with zigzag edges. Below on page 7 is written “my diet for Gastroparesis has been incredibly dehumanizing taking my right to choose safe foods away and right when I was making progress I have a new set of guidelines for a different condition. It’s hard but the diets do work.”
November 11, 2025 at 5:22 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
I have a ton of new zines! Which would yall like to see first? I still have to print some and some are just for me so not all can be traded. Thanks hope yall are well!
A photo of four zines. One large one on the left says “grandma jean” in a carved stamp with a photo of an older woman, and two children pasted on. This is over a gelli plate background of waves and a border saying “GMA” over and over. To the right is a zine that’s lavender and says “pain” in puffy letters on top of bubble stickers. The pictures below has a black and white photo of a plus size masc person standing in an A pose at different angles. Above is a yellow zine with a carved stamp of a smiling person waving with sun rays coming behind them. With small writing it says “but I wanna live sometimes, ZanyZines.com @zanyzines, 10-30-2025.” And below that is a blue zine with a carved stamp of a worried face and various stegosaurus fossil stamps around it. It says what if? In stamped letters.
November 6, 2025 at 2:31 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
Part 2/2
Page 7: “My friends don’t want me around and the fact that they take some time to respond is proof they resent me.” Page 8: Blue and red overlayed stamped faces. Page 9: “I’m only harming everyone around me by existing. I shouldn’t exist anymore so I stop harming people… and my cat.” Page 10: Red and green overlayed stamped faces. Page 11: “I’m never gonna get better. Progress is always linear and I’m headed downward. Might as well end it now. Page 12: Blue and green overlayed stamped faces. Page 13: “One truth my brain tells me: -I’m probably having these thoughts because of that recent med change. I should contact my doctor. Page 14: Green and yellow overlayed stamped faces.
October 9, 2025 at 9:22 PM
zanyzines.bsky.social
Suicidal zine trigger warning ⚠️‼️ I’m fine now but like dang meds be wildin.

Anyone have tips on Shopify? I’m lost trying to build this website. Thanks!

Remember if you want any zines before I start selling them ask to trade!

#suicide
#disability
#zine
#zines
#zinetrade
#zinester
#zinemaker
Front cover and back cover: Zine front cover says “lies from my brain” in 2 dark pen inks stacked on one another there is a background of lavender paper and on it is green yellow and faintly shimmery stars. This background is consistent thoughout the zine. In the center is a face holding their head with swirls around it in blue and red overlayed. It is a linocut print. Below it says “09-21-2025 @zanyzines * ZanyZines.com triggers: mentally ill brain” back cover reads: THOUGHTS OF DEATH! Trigger warnings! Suicidal thoughts Depression OCD thoughts Feeling like a burden and such ZANYZINES.COM @ZANYZINES” with a small heart. Page 1: “Being perceived is awful! I can’t stand the embarrassment of existing in my life. I need to die to stop this!” There are small page numbers at the bottom. Page 2: The same face stamp as title page but now blue and yellow. Page 3: “I’m truly a burden on everyone I meet. Especially my family, friends, and my cat. Everyone I love secretly resent caring for me.” Page 4: The face is now green and yellow overlayed. Page 5: “My physicians and providers also see me as a burden and will end up hurting me anyway. I should give up on getting help.” Page 6: Red and yellow overlayed stamped faces.
October 9, 2025 at 9:20 PM
zanyzines.bsky.social
Part 7 is the last one heck yeah!!!
This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding!
September 11, 2025 at 2:50 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
Part 6 of many
This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding!
September 11, 2025 at 2:49 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
Part 5 of many
This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding!
September 11, 2025 at 2:47 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
Part 4 of many
This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding!
September 11, 2025 at 2:47 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
Part 3 of many
This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding!
September 11, 2025 at 2:46 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
Part 2 of many it’s a long one folks
This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding!
September 11, 2025 at 2:45 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
I made a zine about POTS and boy does it have a lot of advice I would’ve wanted long ago! I made a video for anyone needing audio visual descriptive content or subtitles on YouTube under “zanyzines” please check it out if this is difficult to read!
#pots
#dysautonomia
#zine
#disability
This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding! This zine’s audio visual descriptions can be found on the ZANYZINES YouTube channel or with this link: https://youtu.be/PebVdxYtxmE?feature=shared not trying to just plug my YouTube honestly needed to do this because there are word limits to alt image text. Thanks for understanding!
September 11, 2025 at 2:44 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
YouTube video on the ZanyZines channel! Please comment and share maybe it can help some people (I hope)! I did my best with audio visual descriptions and subtitles but please leave tips for me!

#pots
#dysautonomia
#potsie
#eds
#heds
#zine
#zinester
#zinestagram
#zinemaking
#illustration
Blue photo promoting YouTube channel “ZANYZINES” in ransom letters on a blue sparkly background with the POTS zine from the last post layered over it.
September 7, 2025 at 11:39 PM
zanyzines.bsky.social
POTS the zine is currently what I’m working on trading before I open up for orders for the first time!!! So keep your eye out for a post soon about what’s inside this zine as well as an update on my website and my youtube where I plan to read aloud my zines. Any tips? please lemme know!
This zine is posted with the front and the back shown. It is machine sewn closed. This is a turquoise and blue zine that says “POTS” in big letters with a pot as the “O” then “the zine… 2025” on the bottom. The pot “O” has waves coming from it. The backside the binding can be seen and there is drawings of POTS and pans and then also text on lavender paper that reads “This is a (hopefully) informational and big zine aka too large booklet about POTS. POTS is something I have and have had for years. I’ve been getting treatment now for a while and feel better and so I know what’s helped me personally and hope some of these tips can help you! I’m not a doctor or physician at all I’m an art school dropout so do not trust me as imperial medical wisdom! I’m but a wee lad as idk some Scottish or Irish people would say (I don’t care about Europe enough to get it right it was in Brave). Hopefully this is both entertaining and educational. I tried to cite all my sources but a lot came from my doctors who I don’t name because privacy is important. But yeah ummmmm thanks for coming to my ted talk if you read all this! Bye! zanyzines.com @zanyzines on instagram, tumblr, and bluesky” And there is a small smiley face on the lavender paper.
August 23, 2025 at 11:53 PM
zanyzines.bsky.social
Part 2
Page 8: the last sticker is a sticker that says “T4T” and has two blue and white portraits of people one of which has pink eyes. One has a blue Mohawk and the other white and blue long curls and a mustache. Below this larger sticker there is random letters saying “@ZanyZines” and purple ink saying “07-15-2025” This is still on a beige homemade paper background.
July 21, 2025 at 12:45 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
I’ve been really overwhelmed lately but still wanted to make a zine so I made an easier one showing the stickers I’ve made recently! Last photo in comments.
#zine
#zines
#zinester
#illustration
#stickers
#art
Page 1: “I made stickers” in ransom letters and “@zanyzines” written in purple pen in the bottom right corner. A sticker of a waving self portrait shown in two different sizes on a beige homemade paper background. Page 2 and 3: the rest of the letter “e” shows from the word “made” on the previous page and stickers that say “do not bend please…” with hearts, stickers of peaches in a blue box, and stickers of a green frog saying “ribbit” are strewn across the page in various sizes. This is still on a beige homemade paper background. Page 4 and 5: two different stickers are shown one is a “silly goose” sticker with a drawing of a goose looking silly surrounded in green and the other on the right is “angry goose” with a drawing of an upset goose running in front of water (the sticker is red around the edges). The smaller versions of each sticker are spread out with angry goose surrounding silly goose and vice versa. This is still on a beige homemade paper background. Page 5 and 6: couple versions of these stickers are on this page “crafty hoe!” is a cool color scheme sticker (mostly purple) that has drawings of various crafts surounding the cursive words like sewing supplies, a glue stick, pottery, a zine, crochet, a paint brush, and a pencil; the other sticker that shows up twice in various sizes is “100% (cis) BOY TEARS)” the nutrition label says “1,000% sodium, boy tears sourced from white abeled hetero…”. The other stickers are only seen once. On the left is a tortoiseshell cat in a bow tie and the right is a King Charles cavalier puppy. This is still on a beige homemade paper background.
July 21, 2025 at 12:44 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
Part 3
“I’m so sorry I’ll never get to apologize” is written in yellow with yellow stars around a blue self portrait of myself crying. The shrinky dink is cut out in a ripple pattern and the scan I outlined in grayish green. There is text below it clarifying what is in quotes written messily. “-your old buddy @ZANYZINES” is written in purple and silver on a green background with silver stars. The shrinky dink is cut out in a ripple pattern and the scan I outlined in grayish green. There is text below it clarifying what is in quotes written messily. The backsides of the shrinky dinks are shown with the keychain in the last photo. The shrinky dinks are cut out in a ripple pattern and the scans I outlined in grayish green. All the shrinky dinks described are shown in their original shiny glory.
June 24, 2025 at 5:05 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
Part 2
“I’m sorry I couldn’t keep talking you off a ledge every night” a broken shrinky dink scanned very fuzzily. The pieces show a phone with an active call happening if you could make that out. The words are illegible. The phone is on a red background. The shrinky dink is cut out in a ripple pattern and the scan I outlined in grayish green. There is text below it clarifying what is in quotes. “I’m sorry I’ll never see your guinea pig doodle again” I written in cursive in purple ink. There is a green doodle of a guinea pig on a yellow background. The shrinky dink is cut out in a ripple pattern and the scan I outlined in grayish green. There is text below it clarifying what is in quotes written messily. “I’m sorry I can’t hear Mario and not think about our little concert” in blue writing over a brown bass is drawn over a green background. The shrinky dink is cut out in a ripple pattern and the scan I outlined in grayish green. There is text below it clarifying what is in quotes written messily. “I’m sorry we can’t play DND again” in green writing over a red D20 and a blue background. The shrinky dink is cut out in a ripple pattern and the scan I outlined in grayish green. There is text below it clarifying what is in quotes written messily.
June 24, 2025 at 5:03 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
Here’s my new zine. Warning: this is written to my old friend who passed away from suicide. If you need help with this please reach out to someone you trust or a reputable hotline or mental health professional. Stay safe!

#zine
#zines
#zinester
#zinetrade
#illustration
#posca
#shrinkydink
“To: my old buddy” is typed in the top left corner there is a scanned image of a keychain with silicone beads of a guinea pig, music notes, D20, a pine tree, and a sunrise that is cut out and tied to scanned images of shrinks dink messages on top of messy cutting mat. “I’m sorry I told on you to the counselor” is written in a light blue speech bubble on a yellow background on the cutting mat. The shrinky dink is cut out in a ripple pattern and the scan I outlined in grayish green. There is text below it clarifying what is in quotes written messily. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be the girl you liked” is written over a purple calla lily flower with a yellow background. The shrinky dink is cut out in a ripple pattern and the scan I outlined in grayish green. There is text below it clarifying what is in quotes written messily. “I’m sorry you can’t jump in another TRASH can and then have me roll you around.” A line drawing of a trash can that’s rusty in a night sky. The shrinky dink is cut out in a ripple pattern and the scan I outlined in grayish green. There is text below it clarifying what is in quotes written messily.
June 24, 2025 at 5:01 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
Part 2
Page 5: “I’m much happier as a trans person then a “cis” one!” With a drawing of my current face smiling and giving a thumbs up. This is drawn over a Roman statue of a woman reclining some darker textured backgrounds background, and blue sky. There is a pink border. This is a text document detailing what is written throughout the zine so anyone who can’t read cursive can read along too.
May 30, 2025 at 5:08 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
I officially have a jank website! Check the link in my bio for free zines! Here’s a new zine for ya!
#zine #zines #zinester #zinetrade #trans #transpride #transmasc #transmasculine #trans #nonbinary #collage #lineart #gender
Page 1: “Sex Politics (with the S cut off) the murder of my “cis-gender” self May 2025 @ZANYZINES” Cutouts from magazines include a collaged murdered old timesy woman with a face similar to mine but more feminine drawn over her head. A sword is cut out stabbing her. To the left is a sky and some darker textured backgrounds. The title is cutout from a magazine. The text is written in green and outlined in pink.There is a pink border. Page 2: “When I first met a “trans” person (later a detransitioner) I started to slowly dig away at any gender ideology. I thought I was just an ally, but quickly I saw I was closeted. Collage cutouts of a male archeologist at a dig site uncoverering historical artifacts with a feminine version of my face drawn over him. Decaying image transfers of a closet door opening and a man in the woods are behind the green and pink text. There is a pink border. Page 3: “I always tried so hard to be the best and most “girly” girl so realizing I wasn’t took years or experimenting.” Collage cutouts of a princess, a 1920s drawing of a flapper with an exposed breast and a male suitor, a crowned forehead, a sky, and a Greek or Roman statue of a woman reclining. The text is written in green and outlined in pink. There is a pink border. Page 4: “I always loved stressing up and preforming my gender until I learned I didn’t have to and then I just couldn’t anymore” Collated images are behind green and pink text the images show a Russian princess. A blue sky, the lower part of the ancient statue, and a horse drawn princess carriage. There is a pink border.
May 30, 2025 at 5:06 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
Part 3
Text reads: Routines are difficult, make it easier on your patient by learning how they prefer to do routines and meet them where they’re at. And keep in mind it is easier to add to a routine that is already established than start a new one entirely. I combine my daily routines in a way that makes sense to me. My speech therapist showed me an app called “first then visual schedule hd” on iOS. It was hella expensive (excuse my language but like it was like 15 bucks so the language is very justified) but truly was a lifesaver I got to make simple visual schedules with videos and audio memos attached to each exercise and it helps me with my ADHD so much! You can easily mimic this without the video and audio parts by using a document with images and descriptions of activities next to them. Try your best to keep any annoyance you may feel for fulfilling accommodation needs to yourself. I’ve never felt like my speech therapist was annoyed with me but I’ve felt that way with other providers and honestly it sucks. A lot of us neurodivergent folks have something called RSD (Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria) which basically means we feel rejection really intensely and feel it with super small things like even just a misplaced sigh. Just keep in mind we can be really sensitive and easy to hurt at times. On a colorful background with a line drawing of a clock surrounded by the words “routine time”. Text reads: Don’t rush! Rephrase! We have neurodivergence for a reason we sometimes are going to need you to explain things a bunch of different ways until we understand or we’re gonna not immediately catch on to what you mean by certain phrasing. Just remember we think differently than most people and typical solutions may not work for us. I’d think if you’re reading this zine you’re a patient person! Most people who care about neurodiversity are. When in doubt explain everything. We are naturally curious and wanna know what’s going on! Don’t assume because we have problems learning we don’t want to know the ins and out of what we’re doing. If you’re doing anything with machines or tools explain what they are and what they do. Tell us what sensations to prepare for. When my speech therapist did that throat scope thing (whatever y’all call it) she explained every step and why she was doing it. And then with the results she didn’t just assume I’d understand what the results meant so she described it more in detail. She also explained the touch and pressure I’d feel and let me wear a face mask with a small hole in it to prevent her hand from making contact with my face. That to me is the ideal way to do it. On a colorful background is a line drawing of myself speech therapist showing me the letters “XYZ” on a computer. Text reads: Thanks you for picking up this zine about being a better speech provider for neurodiverse patients and thank you to my speech therapist Alex for being so awesome and helping reinforce that not all people in hospitals have to be rude or scary! There a small but growing amount of providers educating themselves on all different kinds of diversity and I think that’s the best thing you can do for your patients! On a colorful background is my speech therapist and I’s heads with me saying “Alex is dope!”
May 12, 2025 at 4:57 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
Part 2
Text reads: NO TOUCHING, without prior consent. I’m saying you have to ask before you give anyone an encouraging pat on the back or a supportive hug because a lot of us have trauma including the physical kind from doctors as well as just a natural aversion to touch. I have some pretty serious PTSD from a doctor and now any time anyone touches me I freak out on the inside and try to hide it. PTSD is another neurodivergence (keep that in mind) but lots of neurodivergent people can’t stand touch. Some find touch assuring or necessary to calm down though, we are all so different! Sometimes things like high fives and fist bumps are cool but not so much hugs. Asking the person is the best way to know. (I’m also aware most of your clinics probably have rules against touching but if I had a dime for every time a physician gave me a “reassuring pat” I’d be rich). Be mindful we might just not understand our interceptive signals. I struggle with this a lot in speech therapy where my physician will be like “where do you feel this most” or “what do you feel” and I’m just like “I’m not able to tell right now” because working on my voice is really challenging for my interoceptive skills! But she will slowly guide me by like telling me what she hears or how her voice feels when she does something similar. For so many of us we are taught to ignore or do the opposite of what our body needs (think of a teacher telling a kid with ADHD “a calm body equals a calm mind, stay still” while they are fidgeting to help pay attention, or think of a child having to raise their hand to go to the bathroom and being told no they can’t go) that it can be so hard to actually pay attention to our body’s signals now. On a blue background is a drawing of myself and my speech therapist with her attempting to pat my shoulder. I say “nah I’m good” she says “ok no hard feelings”. On the right page a picture of me saying “I feel weird is above the text also on a blue background. Text reads: Don’t assume we always need a diagnosis to be valid as a neurodivergent person or to justify an accommodation. I can’t tell you how often I get “you don’t seem like you have *XYZ condition*” and I’m diagnosed! Imagine the headache I had getting diagnosed as an adult. The amount of medical gaslighting in the medical community is gross. Don’t add to the bad rep of medical professionals! Everyone including those who are undiagnosed can benefit from these tips. Offer all these accommodations to everyone! And if you suspect someone is undiagnosed, whatever it is, bring it up gently introduce us to neurodiversity gently and just be very assuring that there’s help out there if the person is struggling. Amass a database of references for qualified providers who can treat or diagnose if you’re going to drop this life changing information in someone’s lap. In Chicago for example there’s a great resource of Autism focused clinicians who diagnose treat Autism if you web search the “Rush Autism Directory”. They even have sections for Autism aware barbers and hairdressers too how cool is that! I really hope there are more resources like this out there for alll kinds of neurodivergent conditions. The waitlist for the first Autism test I was supposed to have was 2 years long as an adult trying to get diagnosed. I only got it at the age I did because I was super annoying to the front desk person and they let me have someone’s cancellation! So just be mindful there’s lots of reasons why someone may not have their condition in MyChart. On a light blue sky with clouds and a certificate flying saying “certified neurodivergent” with a gold star. Out of the certificate comes a rainbow. Text reads: Tell us we can audio record your sessions with us! I often record my sessions to remember what we talked about but also to help my neurodivergent learning style. It is especially useful for doing vocal exercises! It’s much easier to repeat after my physician’s recording than read sometimes. Make your room as sensory friendly as possible! One way is to always have the option of a fan or a light blanket in your office. We tend to have a harder time getting comfortable when too hot or too cold. Another way to be sensory friendly is with lighting! Florissant lighting is legit demonic for so many of us. It flickers almost imperceptibly for most but for neurodiverse folks its like a strobe light (for a lot of us). Provide a pair of sunglasses or have a lamp in your room for warmer diffused lighting. Fairy lights are always a lovely option too. Have a few different sizes of ear defenders (like for kids and adults) or disposable earplugs to block out the sounds of the electricity or lighting. (Yes they have a sound, yes it is very annoying). Maybe play some music to distract us or have a little light orb that puts constellations or nebula projections on the ceiling to soothe. White noise machines are lovely as well. Anything to forget we are in a clinical setting Allow for snack breaks and bathroom breaks. It’s not unlike neurodivergent people to not know they need a short break for whatever reason and sometimes we need a reminder that its ok to go to the restroom or eat. Speaking of restrooms please advocate for your clinic to have gender neutral single stall restrooms available for us. Everyone deserves the privacy of using the restroom while alone to unmask (meaning be themselves without acting neurotypical for others sake) safely without judgement of others hearing them have a meltdown. It is also a safer for us trans or gender diverse folk (which indeed is more common in neurodiverse communities fun fact! Many believe it is because we often already quest… Text reads: Be flexible with scheduling! Don’t you find it odd that if a provider is running late or cancels its fine but if the patient is having a rough time they are often penalized for missing the appointment even if it is just a one time thing? Advocate for your patients to not be punished with fines or delays in scheduling a different follow up for missing an appointment here and there. Of course while respecting your needs to have your own schedule run on time and see patients as much as you need to to like get paid and work. Make your office a safe space for being your unmasked self! Tell us we don’t have to make eye contact if we don’t want to. In fact it may bother some of us if you’re trying to make eye contact with us and we’re unable to match it! Some days I don’t wanna be perceived and I’d rather just have us look at each other not in the eyes. We can still pay attention but we’re not pressuring each other to see each other in the eye which for me is uncomfortable. Ask each patient how they would feel most relaxed, everyone is different. But also understand not everyone can relax easily examples would be having conditions like PTSD or OCD or Bipolar. On a green background with a woman with dark skin and black hair in a profile view shooting lasers out of her eyes that read “eye beams of death aka eye contact”.
May 12, 2025 at 4:55 AM
zanyzines.bsky.social
This new zine was a request from my speech therapist who wanted tips on better helping neurodivergent patients! I think it’s awesome I now have so many awesome providers who are interested in how to better help all kinds of patients. #zine #speechtherapy #neurodivergent #zines #zinetrade
“Speak neurodivergent” a guide for (speech) providers by @ZANYZINES May 2025. There is a line drawing in green of myself speaking the words “speak neurodivergent” on a pink brain on a blue purple background with green sound waves. Text reads: Intro/Disclaimer: Hi I’m a patient who attends speech therapy and identifies as neurodivergent. I am one singular neurodiverse patient (I technically have 5 diagnoses that fall under this vast umbrella term) and I do not speak for each and every neurodivergent person, there will be people who defy my and your expectations of what it means to be neurodivergent! I do not know what it is like to have Down’s syndrome for example as I do not have this condition. We are a huge group of people from every walk of life. Intersectionality is the theme of this condition as it can affect anyone! Some of us identify as disabled (like me), some of who see it as just a part of their conditions, some have a lot of shame and don’t wanna mention it as much. Many neurodivergent people don’t even have a clue they fall into this category! It is of my humble opinion neurodiverse conditions are overlooked and ignored in the medical community and that will continue to happen until we have some sort of awakening to how these differences are mostly seen in a negative light because of narrow minded views on how brains “should” work. I am a firm believer that my neurodivergence’s, while at times difficult to live with, are actually really good to have. Examples being Autism teaching me to be myself and trust my gut, OCD showing me what I really value most (by shoving my biggest fears in my face constantly), PTSD showing me I’m resilient and have been through a lot and continue to be strong, ADHD teaching me to question authority when necessary, and my Specific Learning Disability showing me different ways of learning are just as valid. Keeping in mind I have my own narrow perspective on how to best help neurodivergent patients, this is what I personally think speech providers (or to some extent other medical professionals in general) can do for us as a group to help us in their practice! On a purple blue green and pink background with a line drawing of myself saying “one little … Text reads: this page are some of the most common neurodiverse conditions! (Keeping in mind if I listed all of them we’d be here forever). Learn about all types of neurodiversity possible! There are so many different ways each condition can present and I wish I could get more into all them! The way my OCD presents is different than my friends’ OCD, and the fact I have a bunch of other conditions affects the way my OCD presents vs if it was just OCD alone. Like my OCD is linked to my Autism’s presentation which is linked to my other neurodivergences and my physical and mental health conditions. I honestly suggest you find easy ways to understand your patients through the media you read/watch/listen to in your free time! That’s my favorite way to educate myself about other kinds of disabilities or just people and cultures in general. Search online “TV shows created by people who have Autism” or “books with an author with a learning disability” and you’ll find a treasure trove of information. Be sure the media is by people with the neurodivergence though, avoid media that represents us without being created by or with serious input from a person with that neurodivergence. Nothing about us without us as they say! We deserve to write our own stories and be played by people like us. Reading about a person with Borderline Personality Disorder written by a neurotypical person without anyone with BPD’s input will just teach you stereotypes the writer is playing into. Another tip is to just spend more time diversifying the people you’re around in your free time by talking to more neurodiverse folks! I bet you work with some! (I mean you’re in the sciences come on that’s a hot bed for nerdy outcast neurodivergent folk). And remember it’s not the patient’s job to educate you on their conditions! Yes it is important to ask what might help them but don’t ask them to explain their conditions to you with no background knowledge on your end. You gotta do the homework too. Autism AD… Text reads: Have all sorts of fidgets available for us to use! So many different neurodivergent conditions benefit from fidgeting. I know my life got infinitely better once I let myself openly fidget in front of others as a young adult and I could never go back. Often we are holding in so much bottled up energy or anxiety and having a fidget as an outlet to get rid of that energy so we can focus on our speech practice, it helps so much! Get noisy fidgets, quiet ones, squishy ones, wooden or metal ones, soft silicone ones, colorful ones, plain discreet ones, make your own out of crochet or sewing or hardware supplies ( a light switch is always a fun fidget.) Get creative! Form a sensory treasure chest and make sure we can reach for them at any time we deem necessary because I can’t tell you how often I don’t think I need to fidget and then I suddenly have to fidget. Encourage stimming! If you’re new to learning about neurodiversity this might be a new term for you and that’s ok! It basically is short for self stimulatory behavior like hand flapping, hopping, making sounds repetitively, and even what you’re probably more familiar with: fidgeting! Often this is seen in Autism but has been observed in all kinds of neurodiverse conditions! And guess what even neurotypical (not neurodiverse) people do it! You’ve done it if you’ve ever clicked a pen when anxious or tapped your foot along with a made up beat to stay grounded. It may even be good to show someone nervous to stim the little ways you stim too. Even pointing out that tapping your foot keeps you focused can help us open up. But also be clear and direct and communicate that its ok to stim (don’t just expect us to take a hint from your stimming)! Not every neurodivergent person will want to but it’s safe to assume some will! On a warm background with drawings of colorful fidget toys.
May 12, 2025 at 4:52 AM