I function at maximum capacity because of society’s expectations and what is needed for survival.
If Autistic People and other NeuroDivergent People ran the world, NeuroDivergent People wouldn’t be forced to live teetering on a dangerous edge.
“Defiant,” “oppositional,” “strong-willed,” “opinionated,” “inflexible,” “disobedient,” “contrarian,” “insubordinate,” “rigid,” “unruly,” “bull-headed,” – if it’s another word for rebel I’ve been called it. This is the main reason I named my blog “NeuroDivergent Rebel” – because I’m reclaiming a term used to describe me for most of my life (one that was not intended as a compliment).
The reasons for my “rebellions” were often misunderstood by the adults around me, especially when I would “refuse” to do even the things I wanted to do and enjoyed (when those things felt compelled). Continue reading Stubborn Rebellious Child: Autistic, Demand Avoidant, and Anxious, with a High Need for Autonomy
Most of the Time, Writing is Easier for Me than Speaking (and takes way less of my energy). Writing IS my language; it is more natural (to me) than speaking. My written voice is authentic, reflecting my feelings and opinions more accurately than when I use my mouth to communicate.
Continue reading Hyperlexic Autistic Life: Most of the Time, Writing is Easier for Me than Speaking (and takes way less of my energy)
I have many things I want to write and do, but I often struggle to find the time and energy.
Like many Autistic People, I operate on a perilous edge, teetering between burnout and barely resting enough not to burn out.
This can happen to Autistic People for various reasons (but capitalism and societal expectations are a significant source of stress and burnout for many, possibly most, of us). Continue reading Teetering on the Edge of Burnout and Ideation – Is being able to Camouflage one’s NeuroDivergence a “privilege?”
Because I am incompatible with the world, I have two options regarding how to deal with the compatibility issues I face daily.
Option 1: Modify MYSELF to fit into the world (because the world expects me to conform and doesn’t have compassion for my NeuroDivergent brain).
Option 2: Changing my environment and the world around me to better suit my needs instead of changing (and breaking) myself to fit into the world. Continue reading My Autistic Truth: Two Choices – Modify Myself to Fit into the World OR Modify the World Around Me to Fit My Needs
Unfortunately, sometimes the people you think (hope) will be safe aren’t always safe. It can be tricky to know if someone will accept you or judge you harshly, thinking less of you when you tell them you’re Queer (regardless of what flavor Queer you are).
For those of us who feel safe enough to live “outside of the closet,” coming out is something we will choose to do (or NOT to do) repeatedly our entire lives. Continue reading Coming out: It’s not something we do “just once.” It’s something we will do over and over again our entire lives.
My grandmother entered the room just as the commercials had come on, startling me from my television-induced trance with a question – “What are you watching?” she asked in a friendly voice.
Though I had been deeply engrossed in a show only seconds ago, and I was reasonably sure I was enjoying myself and what I was watching, I COULD NOT remember what had just appeared on the screen before me.
“I don’t know, but it’s good!” I tried to explain. Continue reading Autism, Memory, & Change: Why Even Good Change is Hard for Me as an Autistic Person
One piece of misinformation I’ve been seeing a lot of recently on this page is the misconception that “Autism is a mental illness” – which it’s not.
Being Autistic doesn’t necessarily mean one will have a mental health condition; there are Autistic people with great mental health out there, but they are in the minority.
Continue reading Autism is NOT a Mental Illness! What IS Autism: Autistic People Without the Pathology
Some of us can, some of us can’t. This one depends on several factors.
The thing about being Autistic is many Autistic People have multiple Brain Types and co-occurring health conditions in addition to being Autistic.
Being Autistic on its own isn’t a disqualifier for driving or having a driver’s license, but some common conditions that many Autistic People have can make driving difficult or impossible. Continue reading Autism & Driving: Can Autistic People Drive?
Every human being, NeuroDivergent or NeuroTypical, has a unique sensory profile. This can vary significantly from person to person, even from Autistic person to Autistic person.
Continue reading Autistic Sensory Sensitive Life with Competing & Conflicting Sensory Needs
