Masking is far more than simply adopting a social self in the way that almost all people do to some extent. It is, in fact, violating your own nature for the comfort of others, or as a means of protecting yourself.

#Autistic Masking #ActuallyAutistic #Autistic #Neurodiversity

Being autistic means our natural way of being in the world is treated as wrong, weird, or bad often enough that we often feel like outsiders or aliens.

This can lead us to internalize this feedback which can have serious impacts on our self-esteem, self-worth, and self-concept

THIS is the misdiagnosis that is happening. Not people being ‘handed’ autism and ADHD diagnoses. But neurodivergent people being given inappropriate mental health diagnoses and inappropriate treatment as a result.

One of the biggest problems with political discourse on the right is that just accurately describing most GOP economic policies often sounds like you’re insulting Republicans.

There are some kinds of growth and healing that you can only do in a community. That's why people value the feeling of belonging so much. But if you're ND, belonging can be hard to come by. Diagnosis is one way of finding a community where you might finally belong.

i made a tiktok about how no-one gives you grace as an autistic person and someone commented saying “they understand until you need understanding” and… yeah that

something i wish more people understood about autism is just how INTENSE and ALL-CONSUMING our internal worlds are. you think i’m intense on the outside???? this is with literally 99% filtered out, there is a whole universe in there

Dear occasional teachers or care workers who take noise cancelling tech off autistic children '...because in real life, you'll have to cope with noise'.
No.
We don't have to.
I know this is wild, but...we can still use our headphones etc...everywhere else also.
Get a grip.

I’ve talked before about my “autistic prophecy brain,” but I think this is a big part of it. When your brain doesn’t filter for you, a lot more raw data is getting stored up & even if all the input is chaotic, sometimes your brain puts the pieces together &BAM you have a prophecy

When you’re an autistic person putting so much effort into looking cheerful that your face feels as if you’re grinning like the Cheshire Cat, yet in reality you look vaguely displeased.

being autistic means spending a lifetime being misunderstood.

our direct communication is misinterpreted as rudeness, our inquisitive nature is misinterpreted as being judging, and our need for quiet time is misinterpreted as being anti-social.

finallyyyyy
let’s talk about it!

it’s a giant flag for poorly differentiated diagnostic criteria, & it prevents many from getting either diagnosis

Being autistic for sure is “I don’t understand what’s going on here” but being autistic is A LOT of “I actually know exactly what’s going on here but I’m not going to play along.”

I called in ever favor online and asked so many good people to help me beat the shadow ban -
350 thousand have read so far - I’m shooting for a million -
How treacherous and vicious is musk Mr free speech hypocrisy ? Before the ban - many longer tweets reached 4 , 6 and…

Being neurodivergent is having the way that we excel go completely unrecognized, but being called a problem for small behavioural differences or needing even simple, no-cost supports and accommodations

Growing up an ostracised undiagnosed Autistic person, there were a few times where I met someone who was so nice I deliberately didn't hang out with them because I didn't want to taint them by association. I regret that now, but at the time I just assumed it would end in tragedy.

I got my first report on my autism assessment today. It’s striking how we are measured by how others perceive us rather than how we experience the world.
Couple of subjective words in there I’m not happy about.
It really is perception
#AuDHD

Neurodivergent people don’t usually mask because we wish to be neurotypical. We mask, because we were repeatedly told we would only be worthy or lovable if we acted “normal” and hid our “quirks.” We mask to change ourselves so we fit in. Masking is a trauma response. -Dr. Jen

One huge difference I had as an autistic child was simply that I did not agree other people's opinions should decide what I did. It wasn't a conscious philosophical position. 'We have to do X or people will think Y' simply didn't give me the expected fear response.