Stoked to have written another blog for Neurodiverse Connection UK!

The theme is autism acceptance, in honour of Autism Acceptance Month (also known as Autism Awareness Month).

I hope you like it. 😁

ndconnection.co.uk/blog/12-ways-t…

Before I discovered I’m Autistic, I couldn’t understand my experiences. I assumed everyone experienced similar but somehow managed better. I also assumed it was just me and I needed to change. It was a struggle, with repeated burnouts. It helps to know and make sense of it all.

*Someone posts a selfie*

Other commenters: 😍/🔥/ ❤️

Autistic me: woah, your lamp matches your wall perfectly!

The autistic desire to return home whenever you’re out - even when you’re somewhere you love - because you: a) feel more secure in your most familiar, tailored environment that has all your things; and b) know you must return home eventually, so can’t fully settle anywhere else.

My flavour of autism is old soul with a youthful presentation.

The autistic urge to nod repeatedly during a conversation, because nodding is often easier and quicker than trying to formulate a verbal response that is likely to be well-received and finding a good time to speak it.

‘There’s just something about you that I’m drawn to. I can’t put my finger on it, but you’re such a breath of fresh air!’

Thank you! What you’re noticing is I’m Autistic and ADHD. 😎

I feel like movies and TV shows often have the loudest music but the quietest dialogue. One minute dramatic music is booming through the TV sending me into sensory overload as I rush to turn down the volume, the next minute I’m reading the subtitles and turning up the volume.

If only I could pick up social cues like I pick up song lyrics. 😎

One reason why many Autistics and ADHDers are hypersensitive to rejection is that we have experienced so much of it due to our differences and thus are all too aware of the negative consequences that often come with rejection - loneliness, ostracism, loss of opportunities, etc.

Autistic people may seem quiet at times, even when we have a lot to say. Years of being told we’re too blunt, too direct, inappropriate and more has scarred many of us to the extent that we’re perpetually terrified of saying the wrong thing and many social situations feel risky.