#actuallyautistics

[youronlyoneofcl]

What is Masking and How to tell if you're doing it?

when neurodivergent people mask their natural tendencies to fit in with neurotypical people or get through a situation, it requires more effort than it would for someone without autism or ADHD

And what researchers know about the impact so far.

[youronlyoneofcl]

‘Neural noise’ could be a hidden advantage of the autistic mind

But some research, including our own study, has explored specific advantages in autism.

'Neural noise' could be a hidden advantage of the autistic mind

Autistic people face ignorance, prejudice and discrimination that can harm wellbeing. Poor mental and physical health, reduced social connections and increased “camouflaging” of autistic traits are some of the negative impacts that autistic people face.

So, research underlining and investigating the strengths inherent in autism can help reduce stigma, allow autistic people to be themselves and acknowledge autistic people do not require “fixing”.

The autistic brain is different. It comes with limitations, but it also has its strengths.

[youronlyoneofcl]

How do you define “Openly Autistic”?

How do you define the term, “Openly Autistic”?

Is it an autistic person who rarely masks?

Or, an autistic who isn't afraid and/or shy to share that they are actually autistic?

Or, an autistic person who is active in the autism acceptance “movement” (if we can call it that)?

Or, perhaps, an autistic who were interviewed and disclosed they're autistic?

Maybe you have other considerations or criteria that defines “openly autistic” for you?

NOTE: Being openly autistic is a choice and is not for everyone. I think it is safe to say that we all face discrimination, stereotyping, and prejudice for being actually autistics, thus, most choose not to be open about it.

However, recently, there has been a slow growth in numbers of openly autistics, and like with most things in life, we have different criteria, definitions, and cultural considerations.

Thus, I am curious what you think, personally or maybe your immediate environment or organisation, is an openly autistic person. Or, when do you consider one as openly autistic.

Again, this is not about if an autistic person should be openly autistic or not. ^_^

Thank you for your interesting insights!

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Autism symbol by: MissLunaRose12

License: CC By-SA 4.0 International

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Autism_Symbol_Proposed_2.png

[youronlyoneofcl]

I've just been told to “advise ahead of time” because I had meltdowns.

I guess “normal” (pfft) people file sick leave because they knew they'll have a fever ahead of time.

[youronlyoneofcl]

Autistic Masking Is A Survival Mechanism Until It’s A Threat To Survival

A great read.

Autistic Masking Is A Survival Mechanism Until It’s A Threat To Survival

It’s the environments we move in that need to change urgently

[youronlyoneofcl]

Autistic Burnout

This week, I had enough and "exploded". I'm just tired. Things are too much already. I want peace, and I instead I got the reverse.

I'm that type of Autistic that is more like Spock. Controlled emotions. Logic rules. I don't cry unless I'm in meltdown. However, for the past few weeks, I've been crying randomly, I was not even in meltdown mode 90% of those times.

There are reasons of course, and it boils down to emotions. Remember I said I'm a Spock type?

It's not that I don't care if someone is going through something. I look at it from a logical perspective, like, you know, Spock. I don't let my emotions out, it's locked inside.

However, the past weeks, I can no longer keep these emotions locked. I lost control. And being Autistic, that means intense emotions. Which, again, is like Spock.

Spock the human have no idea how to control his emotions. Like him, I have no idea either. As far as I can remember, I've always locked my emotions, so now that it's bursting out uncontrollably, I don't have a single idea how to manage these intense emotions.

So far, nothing on the "angry" emotions yet, hopefully not, because you know, people will whisper behind you that "you have anger management issues" when it is not even the case. But still…

I need to find a local support group, fast.

I never thought I actually will need one. I mean, I've learned to find ways. But now? None of it works.

I have no explanation.

Until I saw this shared by EmergentDivergence via the AT protocol (a.k.a. Bluesky):

Creating Autistic Suffering: What is Atypical Burnout? - Emergent Divergence

This article was co-authored by Tanya Adkin and David Gray-Hammond The literature around Autistic burnout is in it's infancy with regards to

Perfectly described me.

I am experiencing an Autistic Burnout.

That is what's happening.

And yes, I need a support group. I can't do this by myself.

[youronlyoneofcl]

63 common Autistic traits you never realised were signs of Autism

A very good list.

That's 48 out of 63 for me. ^_^

How about you?

[youronlyoneofcl]

“Person with autism” or “Autistic person”

“Autistic Person”, “Autistic”, and “Neurodivergent Person” are the overwhelming choice by autistics, based on two surveys.

Surveys were done by:

Autistic Not Weird – 2022-03-23

Connor Tom Keating et al. Autism Research: https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2864 – 2022-12-06

Article written by Lirio S Covey, Ph.D. from the Association for Adults With Autism, Philippines.

AUTISM – WHAT TERM TO USE?

“Person with autism” or “autistic person”? By Lirio S Covey, Ph.D. With increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), increasing m