we cross the borderline

[strangerdarkerbetter]

Autism Self-Diagnosis Masterpost

Questioning if you might be autistic? Have you always known you were different and are trying to figure out why? Is professional diagnosis not an option for you (cost/stigma/bias/etc)? Then here is a list of resources to help you figure out if you are autistic.

This post is broken up into categories of resources based on subject matter. Some links may contain ableism and medicalized language but if they do they also have useful information which is why they were posted. 

Self-diagnosis is a long process of reading and researching and self-reflection. A decision should not be made overnight. However, it is completely valid to self-diagnose as autistic (see the second to last section for more on this). If you are self-diagnosing, read as much as you can written by autistic people. Read their blogs and their tumblrs. Read about the autistic experience. Talk to autistic people if you are able to. 

If you have questions, feel free to submit them to @autism-asks, a blog dedicated to answering questions about autism. 

About Autism

What is Autism?, in Plain Language

What is Autism?

What is Autism?

The Dictionary of Autism

Myths About Autism

Ask an Autistic (video series)

General Autism Criteria

DSM-V criteria

ICD-10 Criteria

ASD Checklist

DSM Criteria for Autism Explained

Positively Autistic: A List of (Positive) Autistic Traits

ASAN’s About Autism (With Characteristics)

Inclusive Autistic Traits

Simplified ASD Diagnostic Criteria

Revised Alternative Autism Criteria (criteria written by an autistic person)

Childhood Traits (this is from the CDC and is very medicalized)

I Think I Might Be Autistic

Autism Screening Quizzes

Musing of an Aspie’s Adult Diagnosis Series

Stimming

What is Stimming?

Stimming 101, or: How I learned to stop Worrying and Love the Stim

Types of Stimming

A List of Stims

The High Cost of Self-Censoring (or Why Stimming Is a Good Thing)

Sensory Processing Differences

What is Sensory Processing Disorder? (video)

Adolescent and Adult SPD Checklist

SPD Resource Center

Understanding Sensory Processing Issues

Masterpost: Sensory Differences

Sensory Sensitivities and Atypical Sensory Processing series

How to Reduce Sensory Overload

Processing a Sensory Overload

Shutdowns and Meltdowns

What Does a Meltdown Feel Like?

“Shutdown”- What it is and What it Isn’t

Where I go When I Shutdown

Anatomy of a Meltdown

Shutdown: A Specific Type of Meltdown

Special Interests

What’s so Special About a Special Interest?

Special Interests

How Do I Know For Sure What My Special Interests Are?

What are Special Interests? (video)

Examples of Special Interests

Autism and Special Interests

Executive Dysfunction

Executive Dysfunction

Executive Dysfunction vs. Procrastination

Executive Function Series

The “Joys” of Executive Dysfunction

3 Symptoms of Executive Dysfunction

Executive Dysfunction

Alexithymia

What is Alexithymia? (video)

Alexithymia Question

Emotional Dysfunction: Alexithymia and ASD

Alexithymia Questionaire

On Self-Diagnosis

My Stance on Self-Diagnosis

ASD Paper Diagnosis vs. Self-Diagnosis: Pros and Cons

Yes, Self-Diagnosis Can Be Valid

Autism Self-Diagnosis Is Not Special Snowflake Syndrome

The Myth of “Official”: Autism and Self-Diagnosis Skeptics

Blogs By Autistics

(This is certainly not a comprehensive list of autistic bloggers. If you have any suggestions of blogs that should be added, feel free to message me)

Autistic Hoya

Autistic Women’s Network

The Caffeinated Autistic

A Heart Made Fullmetal

Musings of an Aspie

Neurowonderful

Non-Speaking Autistic Speaking 

Ollibean

A Quiet Week In The House

Radical Neurodivergence Speaking

StrangerDarkerBetter

Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism

The Third Glance

Unstrange Mind

We Are Like Your Child

Yes, That Too 

[strawberryspoons]

Interviewer: where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Me: I used escapist fantasies as a coping mechanism to get through years of trauma and therefore never learned how to plan for a real life future

[c0ffeekitten]

Alternatively: I went through periods of depression so frequent and intense that I never considered that I’d actually make it to my 20s so now I’m kinda just making it up as I go

[thottistani-deactivated20220220]

No gay has all 5:

- A job

- Good relationship with father

- Neurotypical brain

- Ability to top

- Driver’s license

[intergalacticsuperstar]

I’m obsessed with these pictures of the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders wearing their real world professional work attire as their cheer uniforms

[midfreakquency]

This is cool, but I’m confused. They all have 2 jobs??

The link just says “real world professional work” over & over. Is professional cheerleading not a full time job? Is it also not the real world?

[crookedmoonsaultpunk]

American Football only happens for 17 weeks and each team plays only a set amount of games. Cheerleaders unlike the players dont have sponsorships or endorsements. More so they often arent paid by the hour or per game. They have regular jobs because it’s a way to make a living. Most cheerleaders dont do it for money just to support the team and have fun while pursuing other careers.

[fuzzytale]

Basically cheerleaders are incredibly exploited by a multi-billion dollar industry

[crosstheborderline]

All valid. The ABA “therapist” can fuck off though. 

[tomatthefarm-deactivated2018070]

John Mulaney + jokes about his dad

[crosstheborderline]

Haven’t been on this tumblr in a little while now so I’ll give you a quick run-down of why:

- I was back in London for a bit and mum’s internet is slow

- I had a 6-hour long autism assessment after which it was determined that yes, I’m autistic

I created a tumblr specifically for stuff related to my autism, epilepsy and other assorted disabilities, which you are welcome to follow (message me or comment here), because I wanted to a little bit separate that from my incessant reblogging of brooklyn 99 gifsets. Though there’s a chance the two will morph. We’ll see.

[nervousnotion]

patrickwolfpalisade: “What will survive of us is love.” - Philip Larkin xp

what are your thoughts on ‘skinny shaming’?

[sonderdog]

As someone who has been “thin-shamed” I can say it does Not at all go hand in hand with fat shaming. People “thin-shaming” me was mostly verbal harassment- you’re too skinny, you look like a boy, eat a fucking cheeseburger, what’s wrong with you why don’t you like food?

But guess what, I don’t have a problem finding clothes that fit me. There aren’t companies that refuse to make clothes for my size. There is no shortage of messages telling me that despite the harassment of some, I am still beautiful and ideal even if I’m unhealthy. Despite being thin-shamed, I still PANICKED when I started a medicine that made me gain weight, and I had to really analyze that, because no matter what my culture will still say that “fat is unideal” “fat is bad” and “honestly its fine to starve yourself / but shameful and bad to overeat.”

So “thin-shaming” is shitty because it’s shitty to be judged and have people make assumptions about you. But Fat-shaming is institutional, it’s not just individuals harassment and judgement, it’s potential jobs, it’s clothing companies, it’s media and advertisement, all telling you you’re bad as you are. Like what a way shittier thing.

[mothgoggles-deactivated20210706]

This is the difference.

[picturaculminis]

help my keep my home

my landlord texted me today to let me know I’m just over £1200 in arrears on my rent. I’ve been trying to pay this off for months now and while I’ve managed to stop the debt increasing, I haven’t managed to make a dent in it. the first half of last year there were three of us basically living off my one wage, so it kind of snowballed with groceries and other bills coming out first and only managing to get part of each month’s rent paid.

I work as a carer on a zero hour contract and get paid weekly so I never have the full month’s rent at once, I just send whatever I can each week working around other expenses. I have some stuff I can sell and am going to make a few cutbacks and budget to get it paid off but it would be a huge bonus if I could get some extra cash to help bring the amount down. I’m extremely lucky to have very kind, understanding landlords who are willing to work with me and give me time to pay it off, but I really don’t want to test their patience much further than I have to. 

if you can spare anything, however small, it would be hugely appreciated. please help me out, I don’t want to lose my home. 

https://www.paypal.me/leanwellback

[leahfatins]

[brilliantlyhorrid]

[knitmeapony]

This is still one of the best executed jokes I’ve ever seen

[thesleepymoomin]

Fun games to play when you have focal seizures: 1.) Am I dissociating or is this a seizure? 2.) Am I having a panic attack or is this a seizure? 3.) Is my house on fire or am I having a seizure?

[hatefuhk]

when people ask where you see yourself in 10 years

[fantomeanthology]

Introducing Fantome, an anthology of original art and writing about the ghostly, the ephemeral, and the haunted.

Featuring the work of @harteus, @coeykuhn, @dorkbait​, @platypusradio, @deathbanjo, @monicawoe​, @sonialiao​, @claredezdraws​. @kristintipping​, @katribou​, @sjmillerart​, @nathengyn​, @whelvenwings​, @purgatory-jar​ and more.

Stay tuned throughout the month as we preview the contents of the book prior to the launch of our Kickstarter!

[verhexen-deactivated20220129]

psst the kickstarter is live now!!

[crosstheborderline]

I’ve tried Lamictal/lamotrigine, Tegretol/carbamazepine, and valproic acid/Depakote for my seizures (none worked). I’m on levetiracetam/Keppra, which works... sorta. I still have seizures. But fewer seizures. I’m on the max dose. I’m also on Lyrica/pregabalin for other reasons which apparently helps with focal seizures but doesn’t seem to have done. So I guess what I’m asking is: do you have temporal lobe epilepsy? Do you have focal seizures? Are your seizures well controlled? What are you taking? I’m starting to think it’s just... untreatable.  

[animal-crossing]

mood

[kim-jisoo]

Raymond just being one of the boys.