Autistic Nana

Pics and video of my tort family.

[autisticnana]

Why Do I Feel Embarrassed?

I am not embarrassed about being autistic, far from it. I am so happy I got diagnosed. But why have I lived my life with this inexplicable feeling of embarrassment? more often than not there is no reason for this feeling! Here’s some possible explanations:

Why Do I Feel Embarrassed?

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The Woman in Black

What was the last live performance you saw? Went to Bristol Old Vic to see the play The Woman in Black. I’d seen the movie, but not read the book. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I was blown away. There were two actors telling the story by playing all the characters (except the woman in black) it was amazing. So clever. The four people in front left halfway through ‘not understanding…

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Taekwondo

What’s the most fun way to exercise? The only form of exercise I’ve ever enjoyed was training in Taekwondo. It is a challenge mind, body and soul. Unfortunately my crippling spinal deformity meant I could only train for eight years myself. I still watch my husband teach however.

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Rejection sensitivity

You do something you get called out or criticised You get the mickey taken or mocked You get a look Whichever it is you know you did something  The self-doubt creeps in and you question yourself over and over 

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The AuDHD Field Guide

Field Guide Entry Homo AuDHDus (Common name: The AuDHDer) Classification Neurodivergent mammal Found worldwide General Description The AuDHDer is a complex and often misunderstood human subtype. At first glance they may appear perfectly typical, particularly when observed in familiar surroundings. In their natural habitat, most often their own home, bedroom, or carefully curated personal…

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How To Beat The AuDHD Perfectionism Procrastination

How do I start my sewing project for my uncle? Is this an AuDHD struggle? Discuss: This is very commonly an AuDHD struggle. And I’m going to say this plainly: what’s stopping you isn’t laziness — it’s nervous system protection. Let’s break it down. Why AuDHD Makes This Hard 🧠 Autism side High internal standards Strong sense of “rightness” and precision Deep care about meaning and outcome…

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Advice for Teenage Me…

What advice would you give to your teenage self? You’ll never know why others do the things they do, never know the life experiences that have led them to their beliefs. You’ll never know what truly goes on in their minds, and that’s okay. Continue to accept those that accept you for who you are now. Move on from those who do not. Believe in yourself, yes you are different, but that is your…

Advice for Teenage Me…

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Failure to get Diagnosed Can Lead to Rejection Sensitivity and Low Self-Esteem

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This is common AuDHD cognitive tension:

🧩 Autism side → craves precision, completeness, accuracy ⚡ ADHD side → craves speed, efficiency, low friction 🌍 Neurotypical communication → often optimized for social smoothness, not informational clarity Those three don’t naturally align — and that mismatch can feel excruciating in daily life. Let’s unpack what’s actually happening in your nervous system and processing style. 🧠 The Autism…

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ADHD and Hobbies

Are there any activities or hobbies you’ve outgrown or lost interest in over time? I have a weird relationship with hobbies. I collect all the stuff, for art, knitting, crochet, pottery, jewellery making, beading, sewing, making clothes, macrame, candle making, gardening, soap making, baking, cake decorating, reading, PC upgrades… The list goes on that’s just off the top of my head! Then I…

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2026 Happy New Year?

This year starts with me recording videos where I try to talk myself into understanding AuDHD (a dual diagnosis of autism and ADHD). I still struggle to relate to either Autistic only or ADHD only content, so I’m hoping to make some discoveries this year. My first video starts with body language and I discuss how I don’t study or mirror body language, because I just don’t see it! Head over to…

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Hope you’ve survived Christmas!

If you’re neurodivergent, Christmas can be challenging. Things like: Flashing lights Christmas music Visiting people Food Opening presents No alone time People in your safe place Any or all of the above can cause extra stress especially if you’re autistic. I hope you’ve managed to take care of yourself and found some compromises in order to enjoy the day. I made Lego with my grandson…

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🧠💔 WHY I ALWAYS THOUGHT I WAS A HORRIBLE PERSON

(Late-Diagnosed Autistic & ADHD Adults) 🧩 THE CORE BELIEF “Something is wrong with me.” Not because it was true —but because it explained everything when nothing else did. 🧒 HOW THIS BELIEF FORMS ❌ Feedback without explanation “You’re too sensitive” “You’re rude” “You’ve upset people again” “Why are you like this?” ➡️ No one explained how you were different➡️ Only that you were…

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SOME HOBBIES ARE SECRET STIMMING - Here’s a breakdown by sensory system, because different brains regulate in different ways.

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🌿 What would likely have changed with an earlier diagnosis?

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How Some Exercise Can Help Burnout

For autistic adults, exercise is a powerful tool for: lowering nervous-system hyperarousal improving sleep reducing stress hormones increasing emotional regulation restoring energy over time …but only when it’s gentle, sensory-safe, and sustainable. Autistic burnout is not like typical stress burnout. If you push too hard, you can actually make symptoms worse. Let me break down what works…

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Is Autistic Burnout Related to Late Diagnosis?

Here’s what Chat GPT had to say>>> 🌙 1. Does autistic burnout stop you sleeping properly? Very often, yes. Sleep disruption is one of the most common features of autistic burnout. Here’s why burnout interferes with sleep: 🧠 Overloaded nervous system Burnout pushes the brain into a chronic “threat/overwhelm” state. Your system stays activated even when you’re lying in bed.➡️ This can feel…