So, a woman from the German rich people party said that our chancellor is unreachable and has "almost autistic traits" because (according to her) he doesn't communicate with the citizens and hasn't social contacts in the political sphere. Don't know about that. I'm not a fan of our chancellor, but wow, using "autistic traits" as an insult... And this woman candidates for the European parliament. Hope she and her party of heartless money lovers will fail hard. #actuallyautistic
J'ai envie de faire 1 thread avec les persos fictifs (séries, films, dessins animés, livres, bd...) que perso je pense autistes (et y en a quelque uns que je pense tdah). #actuallyautistic#autism#AutistiquementVotre
Took a bunch of autism-related online tests, some of which I've also taken in the past. While I previously didn't score "high enough", now several tests said that I have autistic characteristics and am likely somewhere in the spectrum. Huh.
When answering questions, I noticed some places where I would've answered differently earlier. Now that I've been on the self-discovery journey, it seems I've come to understand many things I wasn't aware of earlier. Very interesting.
Diary of an ASD Squirrel. Day 214 , Wednesday 29/05/2024
Up a little later today as Mrs S. was working from home.
Still fighting the agoraphobia , sometimes I wish I didn’t live so very far from my family, they would come round & drag me out.
But they live nearly 100 miles away & have their own lives.
Spent the morning totally indecisive about what to do.
Made some egg sandwiches for me n Mrs S. for lunch , then , as per had to clear up & wash the dishes too.
Ended up reading for a couple of hours then hit Fo4 after lunch.
Went wild & forsook the soup option for tea, in favour of spaghetti hoops with a couple of slices of toast - I really need to break out of the house so I can get some real food !
Final Thoughts.
Stupid brain going nuts about going outside !
I need to get myself out of this current episode , it’s not as bad as some I’ve had , but it is doing my tree in!
Thank you to all those who are helping me on this journey, in a myriad different ways. I am thankful to each & every one of you! 🫂 🫶🐿️🖖
Wer macht in Deutschland gute Diagnostik für erwachsene Frauen mit Verdacht auf #Autismus? Habt ihr persönliche Erfahrungen und könnt mir jemanden empfehlen? Gerne per DM! (Wenn die Person kompetent ist, bin ich auch bereit selbst zu zahlen und/oder weit zu fahren.)
Bonuspunkte, wenn jemand die Unterschiede zwischen Autismus und Trauma + die Überlappungen von Autismus und ADHS herausarbeiten kann.
#AskingAutistics I’m looking for testimonials/info regarding sensory compression clothing/vests. I’m wondering about the compression level and if the fabric is breathable.
Why? Because, I’m looking into the medical compression garments for an health issue, and there is no way that I’m going to bear one as it’s very sweat inducing. I’m wearing a compression bra for months and it’s a sensory nightmare because of the sweat. 😭 So, sensory clothing might be a solution.
@actuallyautistic#actuallyautistic
Read an article recently that claimed autistic individuals are less likely to succumb to marketing and impulse buying. I think this is true about myself.
I am aware that AuDHD can often work against this, and make shopping a dreadful experience because of the push and pull of "wanting" but not "needing" something. I'd love to hear y'all's experiences/opinions.
@actuallyautistic#actuallyautistic Any good free mind-mapping software y'all would recommend? I'm trying to convert my list of traits into a format that's easier to understand.
Two fully-disconnected weeks off from work have given me a clarity of mind I haven't had in a long time.
I thought I had mostly tackled my burnout over the winter, but the clarity I have now tells me that I was still burned out.
How do I know?
I feel like I have skills now that I haven't had in a long time. Cognitive and information processing skills. I feel like my brain can process things more clearly than before my time off.
I never really understood what it meant when people say that burnout causes loss of skills, but it totally makes sense now.
That clarity has also helped me see some of my challenges at work in a new light. In particular, managing people as an Autistic person.
Several people outside of my department have complained about a member of my team. They, and I, have had conversations with this person about that feedback. I've personally seen improvement and I'm not unhappy with their work. But I'm still getting complaints about them.
This is incredibly challenging for me. Am I misreading the social situation? Am I being taken advantage of? Do others see something I don't? Am I giving this person the benefit of the doubt far beyond what's reasonable? Are my expectations of others too low?
I don't know the answers to these questions, but they're definitely something I need to work on.
Diary of an ASD Squirrel. Day 213 , Tuesday 28/05/2024
Up at 6m as Mrs S. was back in work today.
Another day of fighting the agoraphobia & losing . The spectre of the world beyond the front door playing havoc with my mind.
Watching others sally forth, both in analog & digital life makes me realise how far I have to go to get better.
I would go to the GP, but the whole thing over the ADHD assessment has badly shaken my trust in them.
Also I am so very aware of the state of the NHS & I feel that I cannot deny other, more worthy souls their opportunity to get medical help.
So chores are done and now I roam the countryside around Boston in the virtual world of Fo4.
I was analysing my current play style & I am being so very logical about it - for no reason. I need to relax & play the game as I encounter it, instead of maximising companion potential or trying to do stuff in a set order.
Got a new stand for the iPad today , gotta get used to the new layout - it’s more comfortable if a little odd at the moment.
Final Thoughts.
Sometimes my autistic nature makes me miss communication cues. I fail to respond in the way folk expect , sometimes say things innocently that are misinterpreted because there are certain rules that I either don’t know or don’t understand.
I am kind by nature & like to see the best in people, I like to compliment folk, often the old adage ‘it’s nice to be nice’ comes into play.
Sometimes I do not recognise the unseen, unspoken edges of what is acceptable, people have blocked me before today for being too familiar too soon.This upsets me a great deal when it happens. Thankfully it has not happened since I got my diagnosis.
Now I know I am autistic I take steps to try & avoid the more obvious pit falls , but sometimes I forget or get a little over enthusiastic & folk bring me up short. Then I back away & something is lost.
I had hoped that my GP would help me find the help I need but they seem disinterested. For now I am on my own.
Thank you to all those who are helping me on this journey, in a myriad different ways. I am thankful to each & every one of you! 🫂 🫶🐿️🖖
@actuallyautistic#actuallyautistic Anyone ever tell you that you were being "too negative" or a "Debby downer" when stating facts about something? Just happened to me earlier with my family. In this case it was reasons why I prefer not to travel often (routine change haha). The whole time I was thinking, "but I'm not trying to be negative..."
@actuallyautistic#actuallyautistic
Ugh...it's so frustrating when people tell me, "You'll miss out on the college experience," just because I want certain accommodations while away at university.
I don't mind missing out on sporting events, not having a roommate, or preferring to study in my dorm room instead of the library. I still have a social life without those things!
For me, having the freedom to avoid the NT "college life" is what keeps me sane while I'm at university.
I'm sitting in the dark, with the window blinds closed, because I feel like I just need it that way right now for no discernable reason. This is probably what my therapist means by nervous system regulation and emotional regulation. 🤔
I really like sensory deprivation—sometimes even more than others.
I really want to make a career in the #InfoSec field. Security is my passion. I haven't yet decided which role I'd like to get involved in. All I know so far is that Malware Analysis isn't for me. I'm interested to hear from folks in the field who are #ActuallyAutistic, have #ADHD, or both. What roles have been a good fit for you? I'm guessing that Incident Response would be far too high stress, but I could be wrong about that. Boosts appreciated. #NeuroDiverseSquad#AuDhd#AskingAutistics
I just made a phone call.
It was regarding something relatively straightforward and simple to sort out and I was on the phone for 37 minutes. Most of that was on hold.
As soon as it ended I burst into tears.
I am exhausted. My neck and back are agony from the tension. I’ve got a headache and I feel sick.
It took about 30 minutes to stop shaking.
I wrote my speech but they interrupted, trying to get me to do security questions first.
There’s a new show on CBC featuring an undiagnosed woman autistic called Dinosaur.
I am hopeful.
Anyone watched it yet or want to watch it with me? #actuallyautistic
Diary of an ASD Squirrel. Day 212 , Monday 27/05/2024
Up really early today (05:30) which is ironic because it’s a public holiday & I should have had a lie in.
Hey ho.
Bit of banter on Mastodon - congrats to @dgar for a very respectable 3rd place in #FediVision24 btw !
Binge watched ‘Traces’ series 2 - not a bad series !
Final Thoughts.
I was in quite a dark place this morning & wrote a whole thing on things that triggered me, but I’ve mellowed out during the day.
The upshot of this is that I have gone from epically insightful final thoughts to this ! 🙄🤦♂️ 😆
Thank you to all those who are helping me on this journey, in a myriad different ways. I am thankful to each & every one of you! 🫂 🫶🐿️🖖
My bf and I have literally nothing and I'm worried on top of financial insecurity, we really need help in general with basic needs on top of trying to pay for my Visa.
Well-meaning able-bodied neurotypical "helpers" firing off rapid-fire questions at me like "do you want this? How about this? Or this? Just tell us what you need" but not giving my neurospicy brain space to react, till I have to interrupt crying "please STOP!! so I can even think enough to form words, let alone figure out what I need-- and wait I didn't tell you to do THAT, give me a moment PLEASE!"
What are your thoughts on self-diagnosis being belittled by many in the autistic community?
For clarity, I’m not asking to start a debate, just a genuine discussion. I currently don’t have the option to get a diagnosis, but feel fairly confident that the research I’ve done over the past year and a half has been legitimate and credible.
I don’t feel comfortable saying that I am definitively autistic, but I am ok with saying I’m “self-suspecting.” #actuallyautistic@actuallyautistic
I didn't go to my uni graduation. I didn't see the point. I particularly didn't see the point in spending what amounted to half a day's pay on minimum wage to hire a hat & gown for the day.
Now I'm wondering if part of it was the #ActuallyAutistic urge to not be perceived? I dunno. I have no problem being on stage, or public speaking if I have a script. But the whole marching across stage, recieving some paper, shaking hands, being ME, all while being watched and photographed?
Hello @actuallyautistic friends! Thank you everyone who contributed to my meltdown article. My next article is about autistic shutdowns: what they look like, how we manage them, and affirming ways our loved ones can support us. You can comment and please include how I should refer to you in the article. You can also drop them on my contact form (resiliencymentalhealth.com/contact/) if you want to share but prefer not to post it on the internet connected to your account. #ActuallyAutistic