A blog about Autism, by an Autistic person

Hello! This blog is about all about Autism, from my perspective as an Autistic person. I seek to educate people about what it is like being Autistic in the hopes of spreading acceptance for all of us on the spectrum. Everyone is welcome to follow. Message me any time if there are any questions!

[autistic-bee-blog]

Something I’ve noticed lately is how much certain lighting/textures/noises/temperatures can affect my mood and general ability to function, almost to an absurd degree. A lot of times, I start to feel really tired or anxious out of nowhere and it’s like “What is going on, I have nothing I need to do...there’s nothing bad happening...I know I haven’t forgotten anything so what the actual hell brain?” 

So I started trying to focus on every possible thing that could be bothering me (which sounds counter intuitive, but just hear me out) and like half the time it’ll be something that seems so trivial to other people but to my brain it’s like “Whoa, somebody forgot to open the curtains this morning and now your entire brain is going to be swathed in cotton balls and grey fog. Have fun trying to finish that art project you started yesterday!” Or: “Your mother lowered the thermostat by 2 degrees and now you’re losing circulation in your toes and fingers.” 

So I don’t know if this is actually an Autism thing, or if it’s a sensory processing thing, or even a medication thing (I know Adderall and other stimulants can affect your circulation and lead to the white fingers/toes) or even just a combination of a bunch of things, but I thought I’d share it in case someone else finds it interesting or useful.

[autistic-bee-blog]

Hello everyone, I know I haven’t been active on this blog for quite some time. A couple of months ago, I had a bit of a medical scare that required emergency surgery. I guess I don’t react well to general anesthesia, and I ended up having to adjust my other medication dosage after surgery. But after they fixed that, I recovered really quickly. In better news, my family and I are moving, and so I’ve been busy helping out with all of the packing and preparations for that.

To be completely honest, the main reason I’ve been gone is because I’ve been more depressed lately. There was another incident that happened around the same time of my surgery that brought up a bunch of past trauma, and it was just...really awful. I’m trying to put it behind me the best I can, but it involved a lot of stuff with my disabilities and it’s hard to put something like that behind you when you know that you are always going to be this way, and all you can do is keep fighting and hope that next time you’ll be better prepared when people are shitty.

There have been a lot of ups and downs lately, but I’m trying to focus on the ups. It’s not something I’m used to doing, because frankly, I’m a pretty negative/pessimistic person, but I figured that now is as good a time as any to try and make a change. It doesn’t always show through, but I am trying to find more good in life than bad. For other people out there that are going through something similar, just know that I am with you. I know how hard it is to find even one positive thing, and even just to continue existing when things get painful, but I am with you. We will make it through this.

[spongebob-autisticquestions]

To other autistic people, do you find it hard to understand and process song lyrics?

[strangerdarkerbetter]

Definitely!

I seriously miss CDs if only for the insert with all the lyrics.

Whenever I would get a new CD I’d read along while listening

[13faeinapenguinsuit]

It takes me months to learn the lyrics to a song if I’m listening to it regularly. Years if it is semi-regularly.

[autistic-bee-blog]

I usually use genius lyrics to read along while a song is playing. I memorize songs really fast if I do it that way. But if it’s just listening, I will almost certainly not be able to understand the lyrics.

[anntism]

i am so so sick of seeing all those “having a child with special needs is hard and i deserve an entire bottle of wine after spending a day with my kid” autismom posts

yeah i understand raising a child with autism is hard but try to think about just how much harder it is for the autistic person

you get annoyed when i’m having a meltdown? try being an adult who still “throws fits” when they’re upset and can’t control their emotions

you feel like i’m being rude when i don’t make eye contact with you? would you wanna do something that makes it feel like you skin is being peeled off, exposing everything within you?

you’re frustrated when i don’t communicate myself well and you don’t understand me? try being the person who’s never understood! try never being able to explain things the way you want to, like the road from your brain to your mouth is always under construction

NTs can take a break from autism, autistic people can’t.

[theperksofbeingahugefuckingcunt]

Me as a child: all I ever want in life is to be different, special, unique, this world is so boring and I’d give anything to be different

Me being diagnosed with autism: wait

[skullvis]

I need to let you all know that I’ve changed my Privacy Policy. I will no longer keep any of my thoughts private. I will now yell every single thought I have out loud at the top of my lungs. There is no way to decline my terms and conditions. I am going to be yelling at the top of my lungs. There is nothing you can do to stop me.

[autistic-bee-blog]

Utopia

This is not a tragedy. It’s something that I must tell myself, every time I talk about these things. It’s my way of fighting back, because I know now that it’s the opposite of what some would have me believe about my neurology.

My father’s neurology. My mother’s. My sister’s. How many others, that I do not and have not known about? The intangible breeze of a million quiet voices, lost in thought, like the beating of wings.

This is not a tragedy. But there are tragic parts to it. I’ve learned not to ignore them anymore, and this too is a way of fighting back. Some people would have me believe that it is always my fault: every lapse or awkward moment in conversation, every misunderstood direction, every fight, every instance of verbal or physical assault. To say otherwise is a power in itself. It is flight.

I’ve known I was Autistic since I was a child. Nobody hid this from me. My parents were kind, and they raised me to be myself at my most genuine. It was other people that did the most damage. I won’t go into more detail, only because I’ve told that story too many times already, and now I think I am ready to move on.

What I will say is this: there are so many things that I will never be able to vocalize or write. No words will ever encapsulate the explosive and exquisite reality that my mind and body interpret, every day, relentlessly:

The colours of my favorite song. The tunnel vision in my artwork, my writing, my research. The sound of another person’s pain and isolation, some sharp, some dull and aching. The stickiness of words, the sounds and shapes sticking in my throat and tongue, frustration, anger at my inability to paint the atmosphere exactly as I want it. All of these, indescribable, but all of them true.

I know how some people see people like me, how some people see Autism in general. Some think it is the worst disease, a cradle-robber, as in the old stories of fairies and changelings. Some seem intent on making the conversation about anything other than the Autistic people and their own worlds, their own voices, their own perspectives, their own wants and needs. Some would see me and see a tragedy. I know I used to. But I want to change that.

I want people to know me as I’ve known myself, and I want people to be able to know themselves. I want people to understand that Autism is not a tragedy, and Autistic people are all unique as individuals, in the same way non-Autistic people are unique as individuals. I want people to be able to converse freely, whether it is verbal or written or through sign language or through assistive technology, or through another means. I want people to know that we as Autistic people can be happy, as Autistic people. I want people to stop believing in the lies of eugenics, or preventative measures, for the eradication of Autism. I want people to realize that you cannot eradicate Autism without eradicating Autistic people.

The necessity of that statement is the real tragedy. But I am ready to believe that it will not always be this way. I believe for my sister’s sake, for all of the other children who are on the spectrum especially. I believe for the child I was, once.

If I were to imagine it, utopia would mean a life without shame. It would mean a life where I was never taught and forced into hiding behaviors that were considered “unseemly, undesirable, antisocial.” It would mean a world where no Autistic child ever had to read that their neurology is responsible for the disintegration of parents’ marriages, that they are burdens, that their lives are something they need to apologize for, that any murder of another Autistic person is seen as “understandable.” All of these are things I have seen and still do see. Some of this I saw as a child.

Utopia would be a world where I could stand and walk around during meetings and lessons without being embarrassed, or feeling as though every single eye in the room is on me. It would be a world where my medication isn’t a subject of mockery, or disdain, or conspiracy theories. It would be a world where my sensory processing differences aren’t treated like jokes, but accepted and respected, for both their positive and negative effects. It would be a world where my sister and I, and all Autistic people, are able to express ourselves without fear of punishment or scorn. It would be a world where we can be musicians, painters, researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, inventors, architects, CEOs, teachers, tour guides, grocery store clerks, waiters and waitresses, janitors, artists and writers and poets. It would be a world about acceptance and compromise and accommodation, a world that would be a statement and movement for all people, for the better.

This is what I focus on now, not the tragedy. The future is undefined, a blank canvas, a full sky of potential. What I focus on this Autism acceptance month is the possibility of a better world, if not a utopia. Because that much is always attainable. I know it. I’ve seen it.

[nyxtheautisticbean]

This made my heart sing.

[staceyjames420]

The part about seeing the colors of music, I have only spoken with on other person ever, that actually see that too. When I close my eyes and listen to music, I see a wall of colors that resembles an echocardiogram, the machine that registers your heartbeat in a hospital, every instrument being a different color, that’s how I memorize music. I was told by somebody who used to be in the music industry that very few people in the world can actually do that, that it’s an extremely rare form of Music Memorization. Because of it, I know over a thousand songs note for note word for word, right off the top of my head. This is the one thing that my autism gave me that I’m actually very thankful and happy for it because I love music probably more than life itself! So cool to actually see someone else talk about this. Thanks for helping me feel a little less awkward and alone in my ability. Now I choose to call it an ability because even though it’s a quirk of my autism, it’s still an amazing talent.

[autistic-bee-blog]

That’s incredible! I am not a musician myself, but I am deeply passionate about music and can memorize songs very quickly. My younger sister (who is also Autistic) is actually much more musically inclined, and she also shares the auditory and visual synesthesia. She got selected by her elementary school to compete in a music memory contest involving kids all over our district in 5th grade. It seems like this is more common for people on the spectrum than it is for non-autistic people; my mom has also described her experiences with seeing colours, but she does it with numbers and days of the week. I think it would be pretty cool if there were more research into synesthesia and positive sensory experiences in Autism.

[spongebob-autisticquestions]

Since Autism Awareness Month is coming up, here’s what you should know

Many autistic people prefer to call it “Autism Acceptance Month”: Awareness and acceptance are two very different things. You could be aware of autism, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to accept and understand it

Autism Speaks is hated by most autistic people: Ask most autistic people what they think of Autism Speaks, and they’ll tell you it’s awful. Autism Speaks seems intent on finding a cure, and is awful when it comes to their treatment of autistic people, treating autism like a monster that destroys families

Many autistic people don’t want a cure: Sure, there’s some that do, but there’s a lot that don’t. And they would prefer more understanding of autism than a cure for it

Don’t light it up blue, go #RedInstead: Lighting up blue is often associated with Autism Speaks, many autistic people would prefer you to light up red instead

If you’re a neurotypical relative, don’t make it all about yourself: So many “Autism Parents” out there make posts taking about how hard autism is for them, without seemingly giving much thought to their child, and they get angry when autistic people correct them. Yes, autism can be tough, but I can guarantee that it’s going to be a lot more difficult for them, especially if you refuse to understand and listen to us

Listen to autistic people: This one should be obvious, but so many people don’t do this. Sometimes autistic people get told they’re “not autistic enough” or “not that autistic” when they’re trying to talk about their own experiences. If you want to understand autism, we’re the best people to come to

Be careful about the autism information you share online, check the facts: Whilst Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month should be a good thing, many autistic people don’t like it because it’s also the chance for more misinformation and lies to be spread about autism. Don’t always believe what you read, check for evidence to prove the facts to be true

[autistic-bee-blog]

Also: instead of Autism Speaks, try the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). It’s run by people on the spectrum, and has a wide variety of information and resources about Autism, and you can donate to them here: https://autisticadvocacy.networkforgood.com/projects/23616-your-gift-will-help-empower-the-autistic-community

The Autism Women’s Network is also a much better resource than Autism Speaks, and they have different blogs, information about healthcare, and highlight issues that affect autistic women and girls. They also have a page called autism and race, which talks about experiences and issues faced by autistic people of color. They have an anthology with over 60 contributors called “All the Weight of Our Dreams: On Living Racialized Autism,” which is available for purchase through Amazon.

Those are the main resources I can think of off the top of my head, but please: Don’t support Autism Speaks.

[neurodiversitysci]

There needs to be a word for media that accurately portrays how autism looks to neurotypicals, but doesn’t accurately portray autism itself. Rain Man is a great example, and gets bonus points because it’s about how the autistic character changes his brother, not about the autistic character himself.

I think such a term would usefully describe many movies and TV shows, and why one might object to them even if they’re well written. It could also describe media about other neurodivergences; these just appear less often.

I thought about “neurotypical gaze” but it sounds too academic.

[myautisticpov]

I mean, fuck, this is my main problem with a shit-ton of how autism is written about in academia, no just general media, so 100% agree that we need a word for it. I’m bad at naming, though…

[caitas-cooing]

TV tropes calls it Hollywood autism, I think.

[myautisticpov]

Yeah, ‘Hollywood Autism’ is just generally used to mean “a bad depiction of autism”, though, which misses the autistic person being maybe technically accurate but not having agency in their own story.

This is also reminding me of the stuff Dan Olsen has said while speedrunning the game Amy, so on a side note, I want to propose a version of the sexy lamp, where if an autistic person can be replaced by a dog, it’s not good representation. (If the autistic person follows the magical savant trope, the dog would also have magic.)

[autistic-bee-blog]

Utopia

This is not a tragedy. It’s something that I must tell myself, every time I talk about these things. It’s my way of fighting back, because I know now that it’s the opposite of what some would have me believe about my neurology.

My father’s neurology. My mother’s. My sister’s. How many others, that I do not and have not known about? The intangible breeze of a million quiet voices, lost in thought, like the beating of wings.

This is not a tragedy. But there are tragic parts to it. I’ve learned not to ignore them anymore, and this too is a way of fighting back. Some people would have me believe that it is always my fault: every lapse or awkward moment in conversation, every misunderstood direction, every fight, every instance of verbal or physical assault. To say otherwise is a power in itself. It is flight.

I’ve known I was Autistic since I was a child. Nobody hid this from me. My parents were kind, and they raised me to be myself at my most genuine. It was other people that did the most damage. I won’t go into more detail, only because I’ve told that story too many times already, and now I think I am ready to move on.

What I will say is this: there are so many things that I will never be able to vocalize or write. No words will ever encapsulate the explosive and exquisite reality that my mind and body interpret, every day, relentlessly:

The colours of my favorite song. The tunnel vision in my artwork, my writing, my research. The sound of another person’s pain and isolation, some sharp, some dull and aching. The stickiness of words, the sounds and shapes sticking in my throat and tongue, frustration, anger at my inability to paint the atmosphere exactly as I want it. All of these, indescribable, but all of them true.

I know how some people see people like me, how some people see Autism in general. Some think it is the worst disease, a cradle-robber, as in the old stories of fairies and changelings. Some seem intent on making the conversation about anything other than the Autistic people and their own worlds, their own voices, their own perspectives, their own wants and needs. Some would see me and see a tragedy. I know I used to. But I want to change that.

I want people to know me as I’ve known myself, and I want people to be able to know themselves. I want people to understand that Autism is not a tragedy, and Autistic people are all unique as individuals, in the same way non-Autistic people are unique as individuals. I want people to be able to converse freely, whether it is verbal or written or through sign language or through assistive technology, or through another means. I want people to know that we as Autistic people can be happy, as Autistic people. I want people to stop believing in the lies of eugenics, or preventative measures, for the eradication of Autism. I want people to realize that you cannot eradicate Autism without eradicating Autistic people.

The necessity of that statement is the real tragedy. But I am ready to believe that it will not always be this way. I believe for my sister’s sake, for all of the other children who are on the spectrum especially. I believe for the child I was, once.

If I were to imagine it, utopia would mean a life without shame. It would mean a life where I was never taught and forced into hiding behaviors that were considered “unseemly, undesirable, antisocial.” It would mean a world where no Autistic child ever had to read that their neurology is responsible for the disintegration of parents’ marriages, that they are burdens, that their lives are something they need to apologize for, that any murder of another Autistic person is seen as “understandable.” All of these are things I have seen and still do see. Some of this I saw as a child.

Utopia would be a world where I could stand and walk around during meetings and lessons without being embarrassed, or feeling as though every single eye in the room is on me. It would be a world where my medication isn’t a subject of mockery, or disdain, or conspiracy theories. It would be a world where my sensory processing differences aren’t treated like jokes, but accepted and respected, for both their positive and negative effects. It would be a world where my sister and I, and all Autistic people, are able to express ourselves without fear of punishment or scorn. It would be a world where we can be musicians, painters, researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, inventors, architects, CEOs, teachers, tour guides, grocery store clerks, waiters and waitresses, janitors, artists and writers and poets. It would be a world about acceptance and compromise and accommodation, a world that would be a statement and movement for all people, for the better.

This is what I focus on now, not the tragedy. The future is undefined, a blank canvas, a full sky of potential. What I focus on this Autism acceptance month is the possibility of a better world, if not a utopia. Because that much is always attainable. I know it. I’ve seen it.

[flyfella]

At the pharmacy

Me: wise sage, give me what I need to banish the darkness from my mind Pharmacist: here’s your antidepressants. Me: no curse of mine shall befall you from my dying breath Pharmacist: thank you

[shadyuck]

I love how this post implies that the pharmacist is just used to you by now

[autistic-bee-blog]

I don’t normally devote much time to thinking about self-care (or any deficits I face in regards to that area), but lately I’ve noticed that I’ve been struggling a lot, mainly due to burnout (in other words, total energy drainage).

I recently went on a trip for two weeks, during which I was up and interacting with people for 12 hours a day, and I had a great time! I really did, the people I was with were very nice and accommodating, but now that I’ve returned back home, I feel a bit like I’ve been swept under a tidal wave. This is how burnout works for me. 

Simply put, whenever I engage in a task, I have to set aside parts of my available energy. Some things take more energy, more concentration, more time, or more assistance from other people than others. Things like this trip require high levels of energy, planning, assistance, and concentration. 

What some people, myself included, don’t always understand is that while I may not immediately experience burnout or a drainage of energy after participating in high-energy tasks, I will still experience it at some point. For me, I usually don’t experience burnout until after I complete a high-energy task, or a series of tasks. But the point is, I will still need time to make up for that loss of energy.

Burnout for me has both physical and mental effects. I suffer from chronic pain, and during burnout, my pain usually increases, or else it becomes harder to manage. I may feel hot or even run a low fever. My limbs start feeling “heavy” and I may find it harder to get comfortable, which in turn affects my sleep, leading to more exhaustion. Mentally, I have a harder time dealing with tasks due to executive dysfunction, and burnout. I’ve noticed that my depression and intrusive thoughts become more active and harder to regulate.

In terms of self care during burnout, I might struggle to eat, prepare meals, move around, brush my teeth, do my laundry, speak, and sleep. It is a source of frustration and embarrassment, and these things all build up and contribute to the burnout, allowing it to feed off of itself.  

Burnout is still something I struggle with managing, or even recognizing. I am not always aware of why I am struggling, and I have to think about why I feel so drained. Oftentimes, the answer is simply that I am trying to run on no energy. I like to think of it as a runner after a long race. They might feel exhilarated during and even right after finishing the race, but the day after, they might experience cramping and fatigue. Depending on how prepared they were for the race, the length of the race, the terrain and climate, and their health at the time of the race, the exhaustion and cramps may be more or less pronounced. It’s the same way for me and burnout.

For all of the people out there who are disabled, chronically ill, or struggle in any way with energy loss and burnout, please remember that you are not alone. You are not faking, you are not a burden, you do not need to force yourself to do every single thing right this minute if you have no energy. Remember to give yourself time to recover, and acknowledge that you are dealing with burnout. Just like the runner needs time to allow themself to recover and rest after a race, you need time to recover too. 

[awn-network]

Co-Authored with Jordynn Jack, Ph.D. The argument to ban laptops in classrooms has risen from the dead (again). Those who argue for laptop b...

[failure-to-adult]

As a note:

Without a laptop I could not have completed high school or done ANYTHING in university.

I have dysgraphia. I cannot handwrite. I can print. Poorly (I once almost failed a test because the teacher couldn’t figure out if I had written a, b, c, or d on the questions because my furious squiggles looked like any one of the four options). More than a sentence or two is literally physically painful.

With a pen and paper I can scribble huge point form noted which I may or may not be able to read later (spelling errors, forgetting which way b-d or p-q go, etc., and leave the class with an arm that feels like a block of lead).

With a laptop I can take notes. I can stim by typing, thus letting me focus better on the class itself. I can READ the notes I typed. I had classes where I have 50 or more pages of size 10 font notes that I can later condense into a 5 page study guide for finals.

Without a laptop I would have flunked university in the first week. My short term memory is awful, my auditory processing issues mean that if I am concentrating on something else (like legibly printing) the prof’s words will sound like random noise instead of language, and my dysgraphia would sabotage even the best intentioned attempts at note taking.

So. Seriously. FUCK THIS SHIT.

In 10 days it will be twenty goddamn eighteen. Why the FUCK should we leave academia in the same state of notettaking it was in in 1818? We have the technology to make students lives better and level the playing field for students (well former students) like myself who are already dealing with disabilities on top of the stress of school.

[lysikan]

I cannot speak and most people pretend they cannot read when I write things. Professors in college are almost as bad as cashiers when it comes to pretending not to be able to read (they seem to think disabled people should not be in college and do all they can to hamper them). My computers make my text into speech people cannot pretend to not understand (although some still try, but get ridiculed for it). Most teachers/professors do not give out a text version of their blabberings, so without speech-to-text I would gain nothing from a lecture.

Yes, a lot of the issues are NOT due to my disabilities but to the arrogance and elitism of the instructors, but at least having tools to overcome their issues helps. Removing the tools is just another way to push the disabled back into the shadows and institutions they think we belong in.

[fidgeteen]

College Executive Functioning Tips

Fair warning: this post is not really about doing homework, rather ideas for successfully acquiring/accessing more general living and organizational skills while dorming. Also, my first semester has been a shitshow so idk how qualified I am to give advice on the matter, but take it as you will. In a way it’s “things I learned the hard way”/a reflection on my first semester.

That being said, here we go:

1. To remember to bring the correct notebooks and materials, get a hanging clothes organizer and label for the 5/7 days of the week. Place the books/materials needed for each day on each labeled shelf. If you need certain books on multiple days, you can put index card placeholders or label what should be in each compartment.

2. Alternatively, you can get a mini days of the week dry erase board or a computer printout and write what materials you need on which days and which classes you go to (in order.)

3. This tip also works for homework: in college, the workload is much more predictable week to week, so if you always have online math due Monday, put it in another weekly table and schedule days to work on it in advance.

4. Schedule your asssignments to be done ahead of time. It’s a lot harder to get deadline-related accommodations in college and if you’re like me you feel uncomfortable asking for them. I’ve only needed to ask for one non accommodation included extension this semester, and it’s largely due to this.

5. Get. Your. Accommodations. In. Order. Before. The. School. Year. Starts. (if at all possible)

Learn from my mistakes. To be fair I didn’t have another option because my school requires everything to be done in person but it took me a month to get my letters which resulted in some awkward/discriminatory situations. Oops.

6. College accommodation processes are different than high school. There are no 504s/IEPs/under the table stealth accommodations here. Some colleges require retesting for your documentation. All require you to fill out a bunch of forms. You are largely responsible for knowing what helps you (though your liaison will likely make suggestions) so make a list of what worked for you in high school and will fly in college and request those (bring it with you to the meeting if you will forget). Also, your parents are generally forbidden from getting involved unless you sign a consent form, which is a huge change. You will need/be forced to develop self-advocacy skills. I definitely did. You also generally need to request to renew your accommodations every semester, and it’s your responsibility to remember. Set a reminder on your phone/digital calendar.

7. Post its are your friend. For me, they’ve been a valuable asset to my sucky working memory and using them minimizes resulting anxiety.

8. Laundry is hard, especially when you have physical disabilities. Double check your pockets or you might accidentally send your favorite pen through the wash and induce a meltdown. (To be fair I do check- which is why I said double check)

9. Choose specific dates/times to do your laundry, and set reminders. If you alternate lights and darks and do it, say, every Wednesday morning (pick an off time- Friday nights are great) you are a lot less likely to end up with a month’s worth of laundry and nothing to wear when you really need to look nice. Also, your suitcase can double as a rolling laundry basket.

10. Try to eat around the same times every day. Set alarms if you forget. Try to go on the off hours and eat as healthily as possible.

11. Clean your room before it gets too messy. This should go without saying but my drawers got junky by the end of the semester. Try scheduling a day of the week to do a quick clean up.

12. Your space can be a reflection of your mental state. I need things visually organized, but when I’m not doing well mentally I stop cleaning off my desk, putting my clothes in the laundry basket, making an attempt to make my bed, you name it. I’ve learned to recognize that this is a sign of stress and that tidying up a bit will make me feel a bit better.

13. College is not conducive to sleep, especially for work heavy majors. You. Need. (around) 8. (ish) Hours. Get them. It’s hard but everything else will fall apart if you don’t.

14. Make “ routine cards” for things like showering. Write down everything you need to take a shower on an index card and your steps for taking a shower (you can set a timer) so that you don’t take half an hour to get out your shampoo.

15. Drink water. Carry a water bottle so you have the visual reminder. Drink a glass at every meal. Schedule “teatime” and make an event of staying hydrated.

16. Allow yourself to relax. This is hard because the college environment demands you be “on” at all times, and this resulted in me feeling guilty for not studying when I was, well, not studying. I’m trying to work on scheduling times to work and times to not work, and to remember that I need to do fun things to take care of myself.

17. If you dress nicer than usual, you will apparently not look as depressed (assuming you have depression in the first place…). Use this to your advantage.

18. If you have un/undertreated/situational depression, get help before it gets really bad. I know a lot of college mental health offices push people away but put your self advocacy skills to use and get that counseling or whatever.

19. In the same vein, if you are struggling in a class (for whatever reason) don’t be ashamed to get extra help/sign up for tutoring. Especially if you’re like me and never needed to study a day in your life before this because the courses are structured differently.

20. Recognize your accomplishments. College can be really, really hard for people with impaired executive functioning, mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, etc. The change is hard and the learning curve is steep. But you’ve made it this far- so congrats! Celebrate!

If you liked this, please consider following my blog for more related content if you are not already. I post advice and sensory product reviews/suggestions.

[neuroticmedblr-deactivated20190]

how to avoid education burnout

have 3 achievable goals a day: having a laundry list of things to do everyday is super unrealistic, and you just end up feeling bad about yourself because you didn’t accomplish your goals for the day.

leave your sundays open: i love sundays because they’re my day to chill out and catch up on school work that i wasn’t able to finish during the week.

recognize when you’re at your emotional limits: forcing yourself to get work done when you are unable to comprehend your study material does not benefit anyone.

learn how to say no: people will ask you for your time and it will stretch you to the limit, whether it be at your job, in your extracurriculars, or in your personal life. know when to step back and say no.

take care of yourself physically: take breaks, go for walks, shower regularly, get enough sleep, eat healthy, see your friends

celebrate your accomplishments: go out to eat with friends after a big exam, indulge in a night off after a busy week with some netflix and wine

make a study plan beforehand: it can be daunting to see how much work you need to put in to a class or task beforehand, but this allows you to spread your work evenly so you don’t become overwhelmed.

learn how to ask for help: it is very rare that people make it through school, whether it be high school or university or any graduate program, without needing the advice of others or just a kind soul to vent to. find that person.

never forget your hobbies: you will need things that keep you sane. if you love to play music, write, play volleyball, or cook, make you sure you don’t lose these things. they will become your escape when times get tough.

log off from time to time: it is exhausting to be constantly connected to social media and your email. just physically disconnecting from these for a night to take care of yourself can really help you clear your mind.

[freudian-slip-of-the-tongue-dea]

           I created this project due to the underwhelming acceptance and knowledge of ‘invisible disabilities.’ The pill bottles that make up the walker all belong to either myself or family members of mine who wanted to partake in this project as they have invisible disabilities. I wished to bring awareness to the range of disabilities that exist, and show that not all disabilities are viewed the same nor are they all visible to outsiders.                                                                The walker represents the fact that these medications, for some, are what allows individuals to ‘get by’ from day to day. Just like someone with a broken bone would require a cast to heal, some individuals require daily medication in order to survive & be able to actively participate in life.             Some disabilities have a negative stigma attached to them, thus creating a feeling of shame and embarrassment around them. Sadly, this is not uncommon when it comes to mental illnesses, which is why this project was so important to me. I strive towards contributing to the breakdown of negative stereotypes/stigmas/feelings towards those who have a mental illness(es).                  The medication(s) that some individuals take daily are their ‘walker.’ It helps them stand on their own two feet & gives them their quality of life back. 

[the-spoonie-life]

This is such a good way of making the “invisible” visible

[palpablenotion]

@strangerdarkerbetter @candidlyautistic @owlsofstarlight @myautisticpov

[13faeinapenguinsuit]

@chronicallybadass

[autismproblems]

autism problem #1126

I don’t know what the problem is but it’s something