#actually ASD

[autisticvelo]

”autistic people don’t do [ extremely common higher support need , higher level autistic trait / symptom ] , that just stereotype”

you need include us too : you need include childish autistic person , you need include nonverbal autistic person , you need include autistic person who drool , you need include autistic people with intellectual disability , you need include autistic person with loud messy public meltdowns .

can not hide behind “it just stereotype” because that not true . there are many people very disabled by autism , you need remember us and include us .

[beenovel]

Anyway last week my professor told the class "coworkers will put up with poor technical skills but they won't put up with weird" and after class I just went and sat in my car and cried bc how am I supposed to survive if I still don't seem "normal" even though I've been doing behavioral therapy since first grade but masking hurts so goddamn bad that I'm only doing two classes a week rn but I'm still falling apart and barely functioning every day and barely getting my work turned in bc i come home from class and collapse for days at a time and its just not fair, its not fair, why do other people get to be the normal, why do jobs get to be easy for other people, why are 66% of autistics unemployed/underemployed its not FAIR

[androgenough]

I think one reason why some folks get so pissed about how much more often autism is getting diagnosed these days is that they don't want to know, much less admit, that there is an actual reason why other people are "weird" and that they shouldn't bully those people for it

[socte-blue]

“Ughhhh I hate the whole ‘/j’ thing!!! Autistic people aren’t stupid!! It makes me feel so invalidated… :/“

Dude. It’s fine you you don’t want to use them/tone tags aren’t useful to you. That doesn’t mean they aren’t useful to other autistic people.

Not every autistic person is as capable at understanding tone as you are, especially over text. Heck, a lot of allistic people don’t understand it over text. It’s not “invalidating”, you just can’t understand someone having a bit more trouble than you.

[fandomnerdshark]

A collection I made of different disorder creatures and my takes on them!

FML:

bunny, porccupine, and mouse mix! BPD tends to be very on edge and skittish, so he’s a bit spooked. When defensive, he fires quills, like some porcupines do. He also has many eyes because bpd is very hypervigilant. I called it “FML” because a lot of pwBPD kind of have that mindset ^^’

IDGF:

I made NPD a cat with a crown shaped head and a peacock-like tail because cats and peacocks care a lot about preening and looking their best. Many people think cats are assholes who don’t love their owners, and that’s absolutely bullshit. I thought that fit NPD pretty well :D I called it IDGF because NPD does in fact not give a fuck >:3

IDC:

I made ASPD a wolf because wolves are like the more feral version of a dog. Dogs are man’s best friend and are very loyal! Wolves are just the same but don’t trust as easily and are more likely to attack what threatens them, so many people fear wolves. I gave him some sharp shapes and made his eyes empty with eye bags, because let’s be real yall ASPD peeps do not sleep. I called this one IDC because the biggest thing in ASPD to me is the lack of empathy/low emotions, which everything else kind of stems off of. Chances are if you have ASPD you probably think “why should I care?” About 200 times a day lmao

TMI:

I made HPD into a swanlike creature with a feather crown to resemble a performer! They’re very graceful and regal, and get all the attention in the room. I called it “TMI” because some people find hpd to be a lot (which I think is unfair btw…) yall are larger than life and I love you for it ^^

TBH:

My take on the autism creature has darker eyes because of low empathy and a jester collar! The jester could make fun of the king and queen without consequences as they say, and people tend to underestimate asd. I also just felt like the energetic, unserious jester fit asd pretty well. I also gave him little ears to represent overstimulation/asd splitting (which is hardly ever talked about 💀)

STFU:

The c-ptsd creature feels completely fine until one small thing is just too much and for a split second they explode. I gave it a foxlike tail and neck fluff because of a fox’s cunning - but the fox is often the one looking down the barrel of a loaded gun when they believe they did nothing wrong. Because CPTSD is also hypervigilant, I gave him lots of eyes as well ^^ I called this one STFU because CPTSD gets a lot of the “get over it” comments, sometimes more so than regular ptsd, because c-ptsd is caused by multiple small, “insignificant” things that add up over time. I know for me personally this always frustrates me to no end 😭

The only ones out of these that I actually have are asd and c-ptsd, so I know those ones the best from experience :3

[the-irreverend]

I don't know why, but I can't help but feel like this guy is autistic (coded).

Maybe it's because of his tendency to repeat things non-stop like "Badassatron."

Maybe because he likes to interact and learn about other people, and yet at the same time, he is a little bit awkward and even uncomfortable when conversing with others.

Maybe it's the way he hyper-fixates on specific interests (like knowing the members of the Cybertronian High Guard).

Or maybe it's because he ignores social cues LIKE A BOSS.

Either way, if you ask me, there is NO WAY this hot piece of metallic ass is neurotypical.

[gravesinsagainstchastity]

[a-sip-of-milo]

Me, an autistic: 🙈

[bli-o]

I’m most definitely autistic but I’m not sure if I want to pursue a professional diagnosis because…

-many professionally diagnosed people regret getting a diagnosis because it as jeopardized their rights or harmed them in other ways

-many professionals and autistic people have shown the diagnostic criteria in my area is inaccurate

-I theoretically have access to a diagnosis, but I feel my psychiatrist really doesn’t take me seriously

edit: this doesnt include a “it’s none of my business” option because that is mostly assumed; you probably shouldn’t go around harassing people or claiming they’re faking disorders. This is mostly about if you think it has an adverse affect on the person self diagnosing or the community of the thing they’re diagnosing as.

[goremojiz]

Hey, by the way, there is ZERO shame in hating being autistic.

It is wonderful that the community allows for positive self image and self identification with being autistic, and its great that people are encouraged to find the light and be proud of who they are.

But there is no shame in hating having autism.

It's ok to say you SUFFER or STRUGGLE with autism

It's ok to wish you never had autism

It's ok to not disclose that you are autistic

It's ok to not have any pride in being autistic

It's ok to wish you could be 'cured' of autism*

What its NOT ok to do is push toxic positivity and identifiers on people you dont even know, generalizing everyone to be happy with and/or proud of being autistic is fucked up, because the WORLD WAS NOT MADE FOR AUTISTIC PEOPLE, which means autistic people are BOUND to SUFFER OR STRUGGLE in the world, denouncing that with toxic autistic positivity WILL NOT SOLVE THESE ISSUES.

"You can still accept and be proud of your autistic identity while these things are true!" LITERALLY MISSING THE POINT. People DO NOT have to be happy with their autism or positively identify as autistic to live a fulfilled life. I live with autism. That is ALL IT IS. Autism does not make me a worse or better person. It does not make me a happier or more positive person, and personally, it does not give me ANY REASON to be prideful.

What autism DOES is make it harder to live in a neurotypical world, which will CLEARLY make me resent its existence in my life, and i should be allowed to feel that way without people shoving cupcakes and rainbows down my throat.

I would never tell someone they should be ashamed of being autistic, or should be angry at their autism, or hate their autism, god forbid id ever tell anyone they should want to be CURED of autism.*

But god fucking forbid i ever ask the same of the opposite side. Stop shoving the "positives" of being autistic at me! Stop indoctrinating me with your pride! I feel the way i feel about my autism, and you feel the way you do about yours. You have no right to tell me IM wrong. You will never live with MY autism, you will never be in MY shoes, you will never experience what I experience. I am so happy that you are happy, but you cannot force this horse to drink your goddamn water.

All this to end with, i do not feel insecure over my autism, i am not ashamed of my autism, i do not hate myself because i am autistic, autism is a neutral force in my life and i do not care for it. What i CARE about is the world i live in not accomodating me, and it will not fully accomodate me for as long as i am alive, so yes, i DO wish i could get rid of my autism, even if it gets rid of "a crucial part of me" or i change forever, that is an opinion i am entitled to hold.

* Contrary to some beliefs, i DO actually HATE mega corps ( autismspeaks ) attempting to find cures for autism! I DO understand the problem with these things, the problem being non autism people wanting to cure ALL autistic people. I am NOT supporting these beliefs by wishing i PERSONALLY was cured of autism. Do not try and educate me on the morals of EVER finding a cure! Dont try and educate me on the SCIENCE of being able to cure autism! This is a PURE hypothetical where maybe people could be allowed to ethically decide on their own without neurotypicals shoving anti autistic treatments down their throats.

[autisticvelo]

I want to talk about autistic people who are very gullible , easy to trick .

I have been very easy to fool my whole life , people would take advantage of that all the time growing up . it would always upset me because people would tell me mean jokes or fake bad news and then laugh when i got sad or started crying .

it is so cruel to do this , so please don't make anyone but especially autistic people upset just to laugh in our faces , it is mean and cruel .

i don't understand tone or expression that make it clear its a joke , neither do many other autistic people .

please be mindful this april 1st ( and always ) .

- winnie

[v1rtualv4mp]

Do y'all also avoid interacting with other media out of fear of getting hyperfixated on it and losing interest in your current one?

[going2hell4everythingbutbeingbi]

as an autistic woman it's incredibly hard to convince people (men) that I'm not using reverse psychology and when I say "I hate surprises" I actually mean "I hate surprises"

[worms-in-my-brain]

Being an ally to autistic people is more than understanding that we might not always get social cues.

It’s also respecting our perspectives as valuable and accurate.

If every time you hear about a conflict involving an autistic person your train of thought goes something like, “I’m sure they didn’t mean it like that but I’m sorry they did that!” and not, “I should probably hear their perspective before I assume that the person I’m talking to is giving me a perfectly accurate depiction of events,” then there is something wrong!!

I’m saying this because this or things like this have happened to me with MULTIPLE different friend groups and the result is never good. I always feel like I’m not respected, like they don’t value me or my emotions, I feel infantilised and like my autonomy has been disrespected. And on top of that, my friends end up assuming things about me that aren’t true! Maybe I said what I said not because I was “confused and didn’t understand” but rather because the other person was being an ass?? That option is NEVER considered when you’re autistic. And then because they assume that they also assume I’m going to react to certain things in ways I straight up won’t. Like they’ll assume I’ll get really mad when I never have in that situation before just because they think I don’t understand a situation and they think I’m categorically in the wrong and need to be “corrected” or “let down easy” or something when, in reality, what I really needed was to have a talk with my friends and actually communicate so that the misunderstanding could be cleared up.

And this applies even when autism IS the reason I understood something differently (it’s not always just didn’t understand—it can also be understood differently), that doesn’t make my autistic perspective any less valuable or real. If somebody said “meet me at 5” and meant “meet me at 5:15-30” and I got annoyed because I had to wait for them 20 mins even though I can’t stand for that long, my perspective is still a valid one. It’s not, “oh well Cyril is autistic so of course you have to talk to them like a child or else they’ll throw a fit,” it’s, “Cyril is autistic but their perspective is not a child’s perspective, it’s an autistic perspective, so they don’t deserve to be treated as a child, they deserve clear communication with appreciation of their autism and also treatment and respect as an autonomous adult with their own emotions.”

Honestly the people who treat me best are the people who see me primarily as a person and not an autistic person. Like yes you do have to keep in mind that I am autistic, but you can’t be reading every single one of my actions through the lens of autism, or you’re never going to see me as another person who you can, in fact, understand and relate to, even though you are not yourself autistic! I’m not an alien. If I can understand you, albeit not perfectly, then you can, to some extent, understand me.

[triforce-of-birds]

[Image ID: A drawing of four children stand in a line. They are all smiling. Far left is a boy with tan skin and vitiligo. He has short brown hair and wears headphones and chews a necklace. He wears a jacket and pants, and his shoes are untied. Next to him is a boy with dark skin and short black hair. He wears shorts and a shirt. He wears an AAC device around his neck and is waving his hands in the air. He has four fingers on one hand and is barefoot. Toward the center is a girl with dark skin and short black hair. She wears a shirt with buttons, a skirt, and a helmet. She also wears shoes and socks and holds a fidget in her hand. She is shaking her other hand in front of her face with her eyes closed. Far right is a girl with light skin and blond hair in two ponytails. She wears a compression vest, leggings, and socks. She also wears glasses and has a hearing aid in one ear and a cochlear implant on the other side of her head. In front of her are coloured blocks. Above the four children are large red letters reading “Autism Swag”. Underneath are smaller letters reading “Adapt, accommodation, accessibility, acceptance!” End ID.]

[therapy-gems]

30 Flavours of Autism: Grab a Spoon and Help Yourself

Welcome to part one of my series, Flavours of Autism, and my big, feisty feelings around the gatekeeping of autism diagnoses.

Depending on where you live, you’re forced to pay an inordinate sum for a private assessment, wait years for a publicly funded one, or worse, both. Some adults, like me, get lucky and skip the line due to a preexisting relationship with a qualified diagnostician. Unlike most kids, some get lucky and skip the line because their school already has one.

But what breaks my heart entirely is when autistic folks arrive for their assessment and fail to receive diagnoses due to a lack of knowledge and language to describe their lived experience. Not to mention that many symptoms of autism can interfere with the assessment process — and don’t get me started on how gender influences the likelihood of receiving a diagnosis and accurate assessment.

In my most professional, clinical opinion, I consider the process an absolutely abysmal bunch of rotten bananas — and sadly, my hands are mostly tied as a Registered Clinical Counsellor in BC, Canada. RCCs cannot diagnose, but we can provide specialized therapy and recognize, refer, and support clients throughout their journey. Not-so-recently, I realized this isn’t enough to bridge the gap, but through the wise words of the millennial icon, Junie B. Jones, I can assure you “that didn’t even faze me.”

I remain unphased because it is within my scope to disseminate and share what I know and continue to learn. I hope anyone encountering my content can use it to support themselves or others in preparing for their autism assessment. It’s overflowing with all the psychobabble and clinical jargon that might stand between them and an accurate assessment. Education is power, baby.

My words, this article, and the Flavours of Autism series are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or support, such as connecting directly with a psychotherapist or psychiatrist. Moreover, while it’s important to honour and explore your lived experience, reading and resonating with this article does not diagnose you or anyone else with autism, nor mean you or anyone else is autistic.

1. Monotropism

Monotropism refers to an intense focus on one interest or task at a time. Autistic individuals with monotropism may find it difficult to switch their attention between tasks. This deep, single-minded concentration can lead to exceptional expertise in their area of interest. However, it can also cause challenges when adapting to new activities or demands. Understanding monotropism can help create supportive environments that honour their focus while gently encouraging flexibility.

2. Echolalia

Echolalia involves the repetition of words or phrases spoken by others. This can be immediate, where the repetition happens right after hearing the words, or delayed, occurring hours or even days later. Echolalia is often a way for autistic individuals to process language, learn speech patterns, or communicate their needs. Recognizing echolalia as a meaningful communication attempt rather than mere imitation is important.

3. Idiosyncratic Phrases

Autistic individuals might use unique or unconventional phrases that hold personal meaning. These idiosyncratic phrases can confuse others but are significant to the individual. They may stem from specific interests, favourite media, or personal experiences. Understanding these phrases requires patience and a willingness to learn their context and significance.

4. Issues with Interoception

Interoception is the ability to sense internal bodily states like hunger, thirst, or temperature. Autistic individuals might struggle with interoception, making it hard to recognize and respond to their bodily needs. Interception issues can also lead to increased sensitivity to bodily states. This can lead to challenges in maintaining regular eating, drinking, and temperature regulation. Awareness and support in recognizing these internal cues are crucial for well-being.

5. Issues with the Vestibular System

The vestibular system, responsible for balance and spatial orientation, can be problematic for some autistic individuals. Difficulties with the vestibular system may result in coordination, balance, and movement challenges. This can affect daily activities like walking, running, or participating in sports. Occupational therapy and other supportive measures can help improve vestibular function and coordination.

6. Motor Tics

Motor tics are involuntary, repetitive movements such as blinking, twitching, or jerking. These tics can vary in intensity and frequency, sometimes becoming more noticeable during periods of stress or excitement. While motor tics are generally harmless, they can be distracting or socially stigmatizing. Understanding and accommodating these tics can help create a supportive environment.

7. Vocal Tics

Like motor tics, vocal tics involve involuntary sounds or noises like grunting, coughing, or throat clearing. These tics can be frequent and disruptive, affecting communication and social interactions. Recognizing vocal tics as involuntary behaviours and providing supportive responses can help reduce the individual’s anxiety and stress.

8. Repetitive Motor Movements

Repetitive motor movements, often called “stimming,” include hand-flapping, rocking, or spinning. These self-stimulatory behaviours are used to self-soothe, manage sensory input, or express excitement. While stimming is a natural and important behaviour for many autistic individuals, it might need to be managed in certain settings to ensure safety and social comfort.

9. Masking

Masking involves suppressing or hiding autistic traits to fit in socially. This can be exhausting and lead to significant stress or burnout over time. Masking often requires constant monitoring of one’s behaviour to meet social expectations, which can be mentally draining. Recognizing and validating the effort behind masking can lead to better support and understanding.

10. Camouflaging

11. Sensory Sensitivities

Sensory sensitivities refer to over- or under-reactivity to sensory input such as lights, sounds, textures, or smells. Autistic individuals may experience sensory overload or actively seek certain sensory experiences to regulate their sensory input. Understanding these sensitivities and creating accommodating environments can significantly improve comfort and functionality.

12. Executive Function Challenges

Executive function challenges include difficulties with planning, organizing, and completing tasks. These challenges can impact daily activities, academic performance, and time management. Supportive strategies, such as breaking tasks into smaller steps and using visual schedules, can help improve executive function skills.

13. Social Communication Differences

Social communication differences involve challenges with understanding and using verbal and nonverbal communication. This may include difficulties with eye contact, interpreting body language, or understanding social cues. Providing clear, direct communication and allowing extra time for processing can enhance social interactions.

14. Issues with Emotional Regulation

Emotional regulation refers to the ability to manage and respond to emotions appropriately. Autistic individuals might experience intense emotional reactions and find it hard to calm down. Developing coping strategies and providing a supportive environment can aid in better emotional regulation.

15. Aphantasia

Aphantasia is the inability to visualize images in the mind. People with aphantasia do not create mental pictures and may rely on other senses to process information. This condition can affect memory and imagination but also encourages unique ways of thinking and problem-solving.

16. Hyperlexia

Hyperlexia is characterized by advanced reading ability at a young age, often coupled with difficulties understanding spoken language. Autistic individuals with hyperlexia might have a strong interest in letters and numbers. Recognizing and supporting this unique learning style can help harness their reading skills effectively.

17. Alexithymia

Alexithymia involves difficulty in identifying and describing one’s own emotions. This can lead to challenges in emotional expression and understanding others’ emotions. Providing tools and strategies for emotional awareness and expression can improve communication and emotional health.

18. Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), affects motor skill development. This can lead to clumsiness and difficulties with tasks requiring coordination. Occupational therapy and targeted exercises can help improve motor skills and daily functioning.

19. Hyperfocus

Hyperfocus is the intense concentration on a task or interest to the exclusion of everything else. While this can be highly productive, it may cause neglect of other responsibilities. Balancing hyperfocus with scheduled breaks and reminders can enhance productivity and overall well-being.

20. Synesthesia

21. Issues with Proprioception

Proprioception refers to the sense of body position and movement. Issues with proprioception often arise as an increased or decreased sensitivity in specific situations. These challenges typically affect coordination and spatial awareness. Exercises and physical therapies that enhance proprioceptive feedback can improve movement and balance.

22. Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) involves difficulty processing and interpreting auditory information. Individuals with APD may struggle to distinguish similar sounds or understand spoken language in noisy environments. Supportive strategies include using visual aids and ensuring a quiet learning environment.

23. Tactile Defensiveness

Tactile defensiveness is a strong negative reaction to touch or certain textures. This can lead to discomfort with certain fabrics, foods, or physical contact. Gradual exposure and sensory integration therapies can help reduce tactile defensiveness and improve comfort.

24. Selective Mutism

Selective mutism is the inability to speak in certain social situations despite being able to speak in others. Often linked to anxiety, it can be seen in social or unfamiliar settings. Creating a supportive and low-pressure environment can encourage communication.

25. Rigid Thinking

Rigid thinking involves difficulty in adapting to changes or seeing different perspectives. Autistic individuals may prefer routines and struggle with unexpected events or new ideas. Encouraging flexibility and gradual exposure to change can help ease rigid thinking patterns.

26. Sleep Difficulties and Disorders

Sleep disorders include difficulty falling, staying, or maintaining a regular sleep schedule. Common in autistic individuals, these disorders can impact daily functioning. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine and creating a calming sleep environment can improve sleep quality.

27. Anxiety Issues and Disorders

Anxiety disorders involve high levels of anxiety that can interfere with daily life. This may include social anxiety, generalized anxiety, or specific phobias. Counselling, coaching, psychotherapy, and other anxiety management strategies can provide relief and improve quality of life.

28. Depression

Depression involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest. It can affect mood, energy levels, and overall well-being. Seeking professional help and building a supportive network are crucial steps in managing depression.

29. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

ARFID involves extreme avoidance of certain foods, leading to nutritional deficiencies and weight issues. It is not driven by body image concerns but by sensory sensitivities, which are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autistic individuals may avoid foods based on texture, colour, or smell. Understanding ARFID involves recognizing these sensory challenges. Supportive strategies include working with dietitians or therapists to expand food choices and address anxieties. Providing a supportive environment can help improve nutrition and reduce food-related stress.

30. Twice-Exceptional (2e)

Here’s hoping this was helpful and that you’re satiated for now. Learning more about autism, the autistic experience, its nuances, and controversies is a labyrinth. However, I’ll always argue that it’s a worthwhile journey. Plus, aren’t we autistic folk notoriously partial to puzzles and deep dives?

For more hot takes and free education on autism, adhd, and neurodivergence, check out therapy-gems.medium.com <3