#autism struggles

[my-autism-adhd-blog]

Autism & Asking for Help

Lil Penguin Studios/Autism Happy Place

[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.

[pompomtheprincess05]

Types of responses you get when you say that you're autistic

Hmmmm, no I don't think so.

You don't look autistic.

But you seem normal!

But you make eye contact!

But you're so smart!

But you can talk!

Are you sure you're autistic and not just a *insert personality type*?

Let me guess, self diagnosed.

So you were vaccinated?

So your mother was an alcaholic?

Aww you poor thing!

Aww I hope you get cured!

Aww that must be so hard for you!

Wow, I feel bad for your parents, must be hard raising an autistic.

Yeah I knew you were pretty weird

Umm, my cousin is autistic and you're nothing like him!

[mapplesand]

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

[doctor-mccoys-sanity]

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

[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

[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.)

[autisticuwu]

[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.

[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!

[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 :)

[my-autism-adhd-blog]

@Galaxibrain444

[surrah698]

Yeah, every damn time! 😅

[neurodivergent-brain]

I often find it frustrating when people use “different” and “weird” synonymously.

When I try to explain to my neurotypical friends that I’m different and that sometimes the way I view the world, function and ect is different to the way that would be considered neurotypical.

My friends often then try to tell me that I’m not different as if I’m insulting myself.

I think this may be because they see different as being bad and it means “your weird”

And while I guess technically different and weird have very similar meanings, weird tends to hold a negative connotation.

When I’m saying I’m different, I’m just pointing out a fact. It’s like if you tried to tell a tea spoon it was a table spoon and the tea spoon said “no I’m not a table spoon, I’m a tea spoon” but all the table spoons were like “don’t say that! Of course your a table spoon! Only forks and knives aren’t table spoons!”

[edynsgardensnake]

Things I say to my loud family when I'm overstimulated:

Use your inside voices, please.

Can we make this an inner monologue?

Let's play the quiet game.

I am not a vampire, its ✨️ambient lighting✨️

Please stop talking to me.

I'm putting my headphones on.

Now is not a good time, please try again later.