#autism struggles

[tunaricebowl]

i don’t know which autistic/adhd/any kind of neurodivergent person needs to hear this but: make a “just in case” bag

this is a pic of mine. it contains:

loop earplugs on the zipper

prescription glasses with a clip on sunglasses attachment

my public transport discount card

a pen

a glasses cloth + wet glasses wipes (which can also be used to clean my hands if needed!

wireless earbuds in case my headphones give out

tips for my apple pencil + silicon covers if i need a different texture/the sound is too loud

a sanitary pad (not for me, as i had a hysterectomy, but i like carrying one around for my menstruating friends)

a pouch with hair ties for when my hair bothers me

autism lanyard (not pictured, as i put it in after i took it)

will i use these every day? not necessarily. but it’s good to have these all in one place in a little pouch so it’s easy to throw into my bag as i use different ones for different occasions. that way i don’t have to think about all these things individually.

it might seem like common sense for some people, but i didn’t think of this until recently. so i wanted to share this in case it could be handy for other people. some more ideas for what to put in your bag under the break. you can make this as big or as small as you like so some ideas may seem a bit big

powerbank + cables (preferably a powerbank that has a LOT of charge)

snacks (do keep an eye on the expiration date)

painkillers/emergency meds (same thing about the expiration date)

sewing kit

deodorant/perfume

mini fan

hand warmers

scissors/nail clippers (for when tags/threads/your nails are bothering you)

tweezers

lucky charm (i have my lucky cat keychain. it just calms me to have)

plushie/stress ball/fidget toy

mints/a mini toothbrush and toothpaste

extra pair of underwear (for if you suddenly need to stay somewhere overnight or if an accident happens)

comb

band-aids + disinfectant

hand cream/soothing cream

soap/soap leaves

similarly, some mini shampoo or mini body wash (again for if you suddenly need to stay the night. there’s probably already some wherever you’re staying but again. this is a just in case bag)

q-tips

chapstick

makeup remover wipes

razors

hand sanitizer/general sanitizer

wet wipes/tissues

foldable bag

ruler/tape measure

this is a lot but keep in mind, these are just ideas. you don’t have to use everything, just pick out which things you think would be handy for you and make your bag accordingly. do feel free to add onto the list if you have any other ideas.

[my-autism-adhd-blog]

@Galaxibrain444

[mapplesand]

me when i have resting bitch face autism and look like i will murder someone but i'm still silly

[bullywugprincess]

As an autistic person, I think some autistic people (and neurotypicals attempting to be good allies) are sometimes doing more harm than good with how insistent we are that autistic people are as capable of achievements as anyone else.

I’m feeling quite tired right now and writing this first go without thinking too much about how I’m wording it, so please bear with me while I explain how I mean that. Basically I just saw a post of a father saying his son is autistic and has struggled to get a job because of it, but he was a really polite, sweet young man, and because of his personality one employer overlooked his struggles and gave him his first job. The post was him showing pride in his sons hood personality and spirit, and half the comments were autistic people saying it was patronising and “of course he can get a job, autistic people can do normal things and achieve things like everyone else.”

And look. I get it. We’re tired of being treated like children. We’re tired of being the subject of “inspo porn”. We’re tired of people acting like we can’t do things just because we’re autistic. But I think a lot of autistic people who are more well adapted and low-needs (again please excuse my terming, I know we don’t use low functioning/high functioning labels anymore but I don’t know what the alternative is) get offended by people acknowledging that some autistic people DO struggle, whether it’s with making friends or academically or with getting and keeping a job. Statistically speaking 3 in 10 autistic adults are in full time employment, compared to 8 in 10 non-disabled adults. And yeah that statistics probably off because of how many people go through life undiagnosed, but the point still stands. Because of learning difficulties, problems with socialisation or being unable to cope in a work environment due to sensory and other issues, many autistic people are unable to work. I don’t know the situation of the son from the post, but it is clearly something he’s struggled with, and the dad is not being patronising by acknowledging that struggle and praising him for overcoming it. By responding to a post like that by saying “of course autistic people can get jobs”, you are doing what ableists do. You are implying that people who can’t work because of their autism are actually just not trying. You are making autistic people who feel really proud of themselves for getting a job despite the difficulties they face seem stupid for it. And, if you’re not careful, you become someone’s excuse to claim autistic people don’t deserve accommodation or disability allowance/benefits because “they don’t need it, autistic people are perfectly capable of getting jobs.”

Another thing to consider: think about that person who said “you’re autistic? But you don’t behave like my 7 year old nephew? That’s not what autism is.” By saying autistic people can do something because YOU can do it is setting a rigid view of What Autism Is. Which like. We’ve all established is bad.

Again I’d like to apologise for how badly worded and ramble-y this is but autism is a disability, and it effects everyone with it differently. Let’s not diminish other people’s struggles

[doctor-mccoys-sanity]

autism and strong emotion just be like… SHAKE! SHAKE SO HARD! BUT FEEL TRAPPED BY THE PRISON OF YOUR BONES *screams*

[flirts-with-dragons]

Calling myself out

(Image description: stick figure sitting on the ground with an arrow pointing down at it from a text box that says, "doesn't know how to ask for things in a way that neurotypicals won't see as demanding or annoyingly apologetic", referring to the stick figure. End of description.)

[trashandwriting]

Good morning fellow autistic people, please remember at all times that neurotypicals can't relate to our struggles and view of the world because their brain functions in entirely different structures than ours. They aren't entitled to tell you if something should bother you or not. Have a nice day!

[apidae-ursus-arctose]

Struggling with AuDHD

Having AuDHD is such a frustrating experience and I don’t think people talk about it enough. I need structure to do anything, but I can’t convince myself to make lists or plan things. I need a clean environment to be able to function, but I can’t get up to clean my room. I want to be smart, but I can’t get up to study unless it’s a special interest or hyper fixation. So many instances where Autism and ADHD actively contradict each other and it’s seems like it’s a constant battle of tug of war.

[xxskyethetiredemoxx]

Auctober 2024

Day 8: Non-speaking

A lot of autistic people don't speak, such as non-verbal or semi-verbal autistic people. Because speaking is a huge part of communication for so many people, they might not understand people who don't speak, but remember, don't hate what you don't understand.

I sometimes shut down and become essentially unable to speak in stressful situations. In cases where someone who doesn't speak is in a distressing situation, it can be really difficult to communicate what's wrong, which can make the situation even worse.

Non-speaking autistic people still have things to say, so listen to them in whatever way they choose to communicate. There are other ways to communicate, and it is possible to accommodate them. If you're an autistic person who doesn't speak (or anyone who doesn't speak for that matter), I hope you get the patience and support you deserve :)

[treesampling]

Autistic humor is saying "no" when someone asks to pass the salt and then passing it anyway AND THEN PEOPLE THINK YOURE RUDE CUZ THEY DONT KNOW YOURE JOKING

[my-autism-adhd-blog]

Signs of Autistic Burnout

Neurodivergent_lou

[surrah698]

Yeah, every damn time! 😅

[stompybootz]

chicken nugget has a piece of unseen gristle in it

10 word horror story for adhd/autistic folks

[purplebehittindifferent]

I want to start off by saying this is not sponsored, nor was I commissioned.

PLAYING POSSUM cc!

Is a clothing company that makes stylish clothing for autism and other sensory disorders!

Along with just comfortable clothing for anyone to enjoy!!

I found them while scrolling and I was amazed by their inclusivity and they are autism owned!

Go check them out!

[motherofmisfits]

Reminder for those who need it:

It's okay to pick your battles. And just because you can, doesn't mean you have to.

Were you able to talk to the cashier and order your own food last week, but today you'd rather just write it down? That's okay. It doesn't make you an inconvenience. It's the same outcome either way and it's worth it if it saves you the anxiety.

Were stairs easy for you yesterday, but today your knees are bothering you? Go ahead and take the elevator. All that matters is you get where you need to. You're not being lazy. You're being efficient.

Promised yourself you'd start cooking meals but can't find the energy today? Eat that microwave meal. Food is food. The main thing is you get something in you. You're not letting yourself go. Eating is taking care of yourself.

There are no thresholds of struggling needed to justify accommodations or doing something a different way. If it makes things easier, then do it.

You're not lazy. You're not over-dramatic. You're not faking. You're not "chronically online." You didn't lose progress. You're not back at square one or giving up on yourself.

You're brave for doing what's best for you. You're strong for taking care of yourself. You're clever for finding ways that make life easier for you.

It's okay to pick your battles.

It's okay not to do something, even if you can.

It's okay if you are struggling.

You don't have to be "*insert disorder* enough."

You're doing great, and I'm so proud of you. <3

[apidae-ursus-arctose]

I don’t know how to BE autistic

When I was much younger, like, elementary school age (wayyyy before I was diagnosed) I would have meltdowns if I was overwhelmed, stim, talk about my special interests, and just behave *naturally*, not worrying what others thought about how i acted. Then I started being shamed for it (friends, peers, parents, teachers) because suddenly I was “too old to be acting like this”. So I started masking. Now since I’ve been diagnosed, suddenly it’s okay for me to unmask, but now I don’t know how to. I’ve kind of locked that part of myself away. I can’t even have meltdowns, and I can’t deal with my emotions, I don’t stim, and I’ve avoided doing anything that I could possibly be shamed for. Whenever I feel any strong emotions, I don’t know what to do with them, and I just feel like I’m going to explode and it’s really uncomfortable. It feels like filling a balloon up with water, but the closest it gets to popping is some water leaking out of the bottom. Now that it’s okay for me to be who I am, I don’t know how to be. It’s really exhausting to live like someone else.

Anyone have any advice?