 By Trevor Pacelli
She was green. She was bullied. She was used. She was ostracized. Sound familiar? Elphaba, along with her wheelchair-bound sister Nessarose, are modern representations of what it’s like having a disability. Yet sadly, Elphaba is taken the extra mile by being rejected, even by her own father, for being green. Perhaps she can find a place of belonging in the miraculous Emerald City? Turns out the answer is no, as that’s where the man she hoped would help wants to use her and gets her framed for crimes she never committed. Without its second act, this adaptation of the famous Broadway musical comes off more as a cautionary tale of what happens to someone with a disability who’s treated as less-than.
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 By Trevor Pacelli
Everybody seems to have a niche that defines their life. Steve Jobs was all about the iPhone. Dr. Seuss was all about his whimsical children’s books. Wes Anderson is all about his quirky movies full of symmetrical imagery. Taylor Swift is all about country and pop music. But what about you? Maybe you’ve reached the age of forty or even fifty and still feel you never found your niche in life? You’re not alone. I am thirty-two, yet have spent my life so far coasting between potential niches, including drawing, theater, movies, movie reviewing, photography, cooking, social media, and writing. I’ve repeatedly felt what I’ve been pursuing wasn’t working and I needed to start all over again to discover my niche.  By Trevor Pacelli
Have you ever heard of “Cozy Gaming?” Unlike the first-person shooter games we all are quick to associate with the concept of video games, a “cozy game” involves taking your time without dire consequences, doing stuff like raising animals, designing a house, or developing a farm. As a young adult on the autism spectrum, these types of games have helped me considerably in several ways and could help other kids and adults in relating to others.  Art by Trevor Pacelli By Trevor Pacelli
Modern-day America often has the reputation of not giving minority groups the chances they deserve, and major corporations often are accused of exploiting those minorities for their own advancement. With that said, could this movie based on the most famous toy in the world really give a needed hope of advancement to girls and kids with disabilities who need their moment? Now, everyone has an opinion about Barbie, for better or for worse, because a major blockbuster like this has never existed, one made by women to give other women the affirmation that it’s okay for them to love the things they love.  Art by Trevor Pacelli By Trevor Pacelli
Happy New Year! Yes, it’s 2025. January is always the time to anticipate a new set of events up until December that could bring out a new you. But wait, there’s an elephant in the room to address. New Year’s also reminds you of the hopes you never saw come to fruition in the past year—the resolutions for the upcoming year that you know deep down will fail. Millions of people, including myself, face this sad reality every January 1st, throwing us all into an existential crisis almost every morning. Nobody of any background is safe from this disease, not even someone who’s paid six digits a year- they’ll always be haunted by the countless wrong decisions they’ve made in the past. Those haunting memories could lead to the conclusion that they put themselves into the wrong life. If this is you, then there are two films I’d like to recommend to you for a better sense of existential clarity.  Art by Trevor Pacelli By Trevor Pacelli
The Christmas season marks the time to give your kids all sorts of gifts, many coming from the ever-evolving video game industry that brings kids and adults much joy. Throughout my childhood, I only recall the grownups around me dismissing video games as nothing more than mental junk food for kids, but that didn’t stop me from asking my parents to get me plenty of games for my Gameboy Advance SP and Nintendo DS. Back then, I had a special interest in Pokémon, which was why I got the Gameboy and DS games in the first place, and today, as an adult with mental health problems like autism and anxiety, my continued special interest helped me reconsider my practices of self-care.  By Trevor Pacelli
Family and friends are essential in helping you remedy your traumatic memories; sharing those thoughts that are hardest to bring to light will lead you to the path of healing. Anyone on the autism spectrum especially should know this, as contrary to common stereotypes, those with ASD can feel sorrow and empathy.  Art by Trevor Pacelli By Trevor Pacelli
I recently took Michael Pollan’s Masterclass, Intentional Eating, which included Pollan's three philosophies of food: 1. Eat Food 2. Not Too Much 3. Mostly Plants I came up with three similar philosophies about consuming artistic media: 1. Enjoy Art 2. Embrace Your Tastes 3. But Don’t Force Them  Art by Trevor Pacelli By Trevor Pacelli
Twenty-five years ago, this iconic yellow sea sponge debuted on Nickelodeon and is currently in his fourteenth season with no signs of slowing down. The series has spawned three theatrical feature films, two spinoff series, a Broadway musical, a Netflix film, and another Netflix original expected in 2025. Yet the first three seasons and the first theatrical film were the most influential time for the franchise; the kids who watched SpongeBob during those years carried the funniest moments into modern internet culture, complete with over a hundred different meme templates.  Original drawings by Trevor Pacelli By Trevor Pacelli
The world of Pokémon has long been a favorite of both kids and adults on the autism spectrum, like me. I joined the Pokémon fandom at ten years old, my first game being Pokémon Ruby on the Gameboy Advance SP. Although I drifted away from the games once I hit adulthood, I still couldn’t help but keep up with the franchise. Eventually, I felt the urge to play the games again. In 2021, I bought a Nintendo Switch, and became the proud owner of four games: Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Pokémon Legends Arceus, Pokémon Shield, and Pokémon Scarlet. While I admit the games’ quality is lackluster, and there are problems with disability friendliness, the chill environments of these Pokémon worlds with the diverse 1,000+ Pokémon delight me as much as when I was twelve. But unlike back then, I got sucked into a component of Pokémon that in turn sucked out what originally drew me to the franchise: competitive battles. |
Inspiration for Life with AutismThis blog is written by Trevor Pacelli, a young adult with autism and an author and illustrator. Guest bloggers are welcome. Categories
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