I didn’t know I was Autistic until I was 29. Before that, I just knew I was tired—tired of being told my best wasn’t good enough, tired of feeling like a problem that needed solving, and so exhausted. Hi, my … Continue reading How Being the “Problem Child” Nearly Killed Me (And Why My Autism Diagnosis Saved My Life)
It never fails, multiple times a week, when I share my experience of being Autistic or ADHD, some ignorant waffle feels the need to pop into my comments section with some sort of nonsense such as (but in no way limited to) “You’re not Autistic“ (or ADHD), “Everyone’s Autistic/ADHD or Neurodivergent these days“, “It’s all the chemicals in the food/air/water or the vaccines“. There is also the classic “We didn’t have so many people who are Autistic or ADHD in my day…. and none of it is true.
Just because you didn’t, personally, know any Neurodivergent people when you were growing up, it doesn’t mean we didn’t exist. Continue reading No, there aren’t suddenly ‘more Autistic people’ or ADHDers. We’ve always been here.
If you’re new to this blog or Autism month, you might be asking yourself, “What’s so bad about having a month to honor Autistic people? Isn’t awareness a good thing?” Which, in itself, brings up one of my biggest frustrations with this ‘special month for autism’: Continue reading Welcome to ‘Autism Month’ and Why, as an Actual Autistic Person, I am NOT a Fan of Having a ‘Month for Autism’
Today, we dove into unmasking with the ups, downs, difficulties, and joys of it all. Continue reading Late Diagnosed/Identified: A mini series, episode 2 – Neurodivergent Unmasking
![“Dear Ms. [REDACTED],We have decided that we wish to defer testing [DEAD NAME] for learning disabilities at this time. We wish to pursue other options just now. We are considering private testing and tutoring as we research their possible problems. Thank you for calling this to our attention. We will get back to you soon.”](https://i0.wp.com/neurodivergentrebel.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-29-at-10.04.17-AM.png?resize=720%2C426&ssl=1)
Thoughts on late diagnosis, growing up undiagnosed, changes to the definitions and descriptions of Autistic people in the DSM since the 1980s, and how being identified late in life can be lifesaving. Continue reading Autistic & Creeping Up on 40, Birthday Reflections Around Being 1 of Many Missed Generations of Autistic People
Why, to me, “Autistic person” and “person with Autism” are two VERY different phrases, and why I never want to be called a “person with Autism” – please note this is just my PERSONAL preference. Over the years, I’ve often … Continue reading I AM Autistic – Please Don’t Ever Call Me a ‘Person with Autism’
Beyond Small Talk: Lessons in Connection from the Animal World and a Different Frequency – On Autism, Animals, and Authentic Connection Continue reading Easier Than People: An Autistic Adult on the Connection to and the Wisdom of Animals and Why I Speak “Animal” Body-language More Fluently Than “Human”
“The autism spectrum has widened to the point of collapse, affecting how teachers should support autistic pupils in the classroom,” researcher Uta Frith tells Helen Amass in a recent interview, and my response as a late-diagnosed Autistic adult. Continue reading An Autistic Response to: Uta Frith’s “Why I no longer think autism is a spectrum.”
We are opening up about our own experiences, sharing the good, bad, and ugly of it all. Continue reading Late Diagnosed/Identified: A mini series, episode one
Pivoting in Uncertain Times: A Letter & A Fundraiser – This mug sale is part of an ongoing fundraising effort to help support the NeuroDivergent Rebel Blog’s Advocacy & Education Efforts.
Continue reading Pivoting with Purpose: Help Keep the Rebel Writing – ‘NeuroDiversity is Natural’ Coffee Mug
