I’m Autistic, and I’m also ADHD (combined presentation). I have two NeuroTypes (or brain types) that are often at odds with one another (but also so similar it can be hard to tell the two apart).
Continue reading AuDHD: Autism VS ADHD: What IS The Difference?
I thrive in environments where I can find enough predictability to have a reliable routine (one that keeps me centered). However, nomadic life is often unpredictable.
Continue reading Autistic Travel & Nomad Living: Finding Stability in Instability on the Road
There is an increased social pressure that comes around every holiday. Since learning I’m Autistic, I’ve pushed back, opting out and avoiding holidays whenever possible.
Continue reading Holidays? I’m not a fan. #ActuallyAutistic #AskingAutistics: How do you feel about holidays?
Recently, I asked my NeuroDivergent readers if anyone has “ever tried to “punish” the NeuroDivergence out of” them (while being reasonably sure I knew the answer to my question).
Overwhelming comments came pouring in on various platforms, with stories from my readers telling how they had been harmed by people around them (who insisted on unfair and unrealistic expectations of NeuroTypicality).
I knew there would be Autistic People and ADHDers who had been punished for our NeuroTypes because many of my readers are my age (or older), and when we were growing up, punishment was the standard of care for kids who struggled to fall in line.
What surprised me was how many people with other NeuroTypes were also punished for things beyond their control. Continue reading Have You Ever Been Punished (or Scolded) for Your NeuroDivergence?
Do you stim with music?
Do you listen to the same song on repeat? Do you stim by humming, singing, dancing, or participating in flow arts while listening to music?
You might be rhythmically stimming. Continue reading Do YOU Stim with Music? Rhythmic Stimming – My Autistic NeuroDivergent Experience
I didn’t feel safe admitting my confusion for most of my life, so I learned to hide when I didn’t understand something, becoming highly skilled at “figuring things out” on my own.
Continue reading Autism, ADHD, and Audio Processing Differences: I’m a MASTER at Hiding My Confusion
When I didn’t know I was NeuroDivergent, I used to feel like a failed NeuroTypical Person (because the expectations for me to be a “good” NeuroTypical seemed impossibly out of reach).
“Why can’t I just _______ ?” – Do something NeuroTypicals find simple.
“Why do they hate me? Why do they think I’m weird?”
“If I could only ______.” – Insert some activity that NeuroTypicals don’t struggle with.
“What’s WRONG with me? Why am I such a failure?” Continue reading I Used to Hate Myself When I Thought I was NeuroTypical
Fight, flight, freeze, and fawn are primal (Acute) stress responses that protect us from danger. This primal response dates back to our ancestors, who would have faced more immediate risks than we face today. Though these are common human experiences, these responses have been given different labels when they happen to Autistic People.
Continue reading Stress Responses and Autism: Fight: Meltdown, Flight: Elope/Bolt, Freeze: Shutdown, Fawn: Camouflage/Mask
Autistic People may struggle to express our love (and many other emotions) in ways non-autistics expect us to. Autistic Love is Different – That Doesn’t Make it Wrong! Continue reading #ActuallyAutistic #AskingAutistics – what is YOUR experience of love like? How do YOU express your love and affection for those you care about?
Because our needs can change throughout our lifetimes (and even daily), the trick is finding balance by learning what different types of stimuli can help us in the various situations and environments we find ourselves in. Continue reading The First Environment was Overstimulating, The Second Environment was Understimulating, but the Last Environment was Just Right
