#autistic awareness

[cottonlamby]

I wasn’t going to post this, but then remembered messy ideas are better than unfinished ones.

Autistic meltdown, sending my problems to my favorite media character to cope with life.

I don’t know if this would trigger someone, let me know if that’s the case.

— ☁️ — ☁️ — ☁️ —

[tainted-mouseboy]

Happy World Autism Acceptance and Awareness Day my fellow Autistic!

[eyecandyeoz]

“Johnny's perspective, input, decisions and points of view bleed into your own, making it difficult to know where you end, Johnny begins and vice versa.”

People with constant, chronic intrusive thoughts: “AMATEURS”

I mean this as a joke I promise I’m not trying to be rude

LOLOL no but luckily for you, A) I have a great sense of humor so it takes a lot to offend me lol

and B) I wrote that post while speaking from experience (I come from a rough home that was made worse when I started to get physically abused from the age of 8 to 12 and it didn't stop, just changed, until I finally moved out at 18) since I have been cursed with this exact affliction! 😅Though, I don't choose to see it as a curse, but like a superpower in the way that Johnny makes me feel when I play as V. In times i get the idea that my input is overlooked, I don't matter, or that my boundaries mean nothing, a part of me is always able to come forward even when other parts are scared, broken down or at a loss for the words even if it's as simple as saying "Stop". Johnny is empowering and his story with V is a thorough personification of this superpower, this gift, that I've adapted to. He voluntarily takes command when your player character is incapable, he gives you his thoughts when you can't formulate your own plan, all while asking for nothing in return (if you choose the right path with him anyway lol).

Thank you for your humorous psychological analysis!!! A trademark of prime intellect is humor, and I am glad we can laugh at our flaws while also embrace the general difficulty in people having a hard time understanding what it is that those who may be part of a DID system, neurodivergent, autistic, survivors of abuse and beyond have to go through on a daily basis; the mental acrobatics that we've learned to cope with as a means of self-preservation, protection and individuality. I love that you reached out, and I wouldn't dare think you to be rude!! Your quip really was very entertaining, and it made my day!!! (✿◠‿◠)

But you're right. It takes a certain level of strength that most would be crushed beneath trying to do what we do!! SO EMBRACE YOUR SUPERPOWER!! FOR IT MAKETH THEE MIGHTY!!! ~\(≧▽≦)/~

[prendi-fiato-e-ricomincia]

autistic pride ♾️🌈

[the-misfit-unicorn]

new poem i wrote titled "Client Intake Questionnaire"

[nonverangel]

Common micro aggressions i have faced as an autistic woman, or my autistic peers (like people i know irl) have faced.

(feel free to look at this post again to see if anything has been added. if you’re also autistic, feel free to lmk things to add!)

“You don't look autistic”

So what does autism "look" like? Can you describe it to me without sounding like a dick? The answer is no. There isn't a physical give of being autistic. While there are common and stereotypical traits such as rocking or flapping, not everyone with autism stims that way.

“You're too pretty to be autistic”

Read above. Once again, my appearance has nothing to do with this!

“But... you're a girl”

Once upon a time about 20 years ago, yes, autism was only diagnosed in males. Females are also autistic. Often times, it is significantly harder to diagnose. I believe it is similar with ADHD as well. May I kindly remind you of gender roles here? :)

“You can't be autistic, you show emotion and/or are empathetic”

While a lack of empathy is a common trait among autistic individuals, some of is are hyper empathetic, such as myself. There is also the issue where if something bad has happened, we just don't process the emotion until later. We can bottle it and save it for later, more so than some of our neurotypical peers. And then as for emotion, we may show it in different ways, but we definitely still feel them.

“Are you sure you're autistic?”

I was diagnosed by a psychiatrist and then later a specialist. So yes, I am sure. You are not my doctor, nor do you have any medical expertise. And likely, you hardly know the individual you say this to.

“Isn't autism only for kids?/ you'll grow out of it”

While autism is called autism spectrum disorder, it is impossible to cure (also no cure is wanted). Autism is the way your brain thinks, works, and is wired. You can't grow out of something like this. Its not like other disorders that can be cured or healed. The only way to cure it is to have a completely new brain. So I'll keep mine, thank you very much.

Autism is also considered a developmental disorder, as it can cause autistic people to learn things later, such as being potty trained or speaking. But again, it doesn't just "go away."

“Oh, so you must be super smart like a genius/have a special power or something you're super good at? You must be great at math!”

No. There is a huge myth that autistic people are geniuses like Einstein. Individuals like him (if he even was autistic) are outliers, not the norm. Not all of us are good at math. I'm fact, I seriously struggle at it. I have no "special power." I’m not sure where that comes from, except perhaps over-advocacy?

“Really? but you’re so normal!” or “wow, I never would have guessed!”

This just... really bothers me. the reason a good portion of autistics come off as “normal” is because we are masking ourselves daily to meet social expectations and behave “normally.” It is mentally and physically exhausting to hide ourselves. We are actively trying to hide who we are so we don’t stick out. I believe ABA therapy is meant to “help” us seem normal, and many autistics are against it. Regardless, “normal” is not something that exists. It is a social expectation created by neurotypicals (and generally white males). Being weird is okay. 

“Can’t you just... stop doing that?”

People will ask me to stop using stim toys, claiming them to be a distraction even if it is hidden on my lap and quiet. People rudely tell autistic people to stop flapping (a way we show excitement, btw) or to stop rocking. These are often compulsive behaviors that are hard to stop. We can learn to redirect it in a less distracting way because it makes you, the neurotypical, uncomfortable. It is uncomfortable for us to re-learn how to stim. Let us flap when we are discussing our favorite content, let us rock when we are anxious or super excited. We are not hurting you. 

and this is my least favorite. And yes, I have gotten this one more than once. 

“I’m sorry.” 

what. the. fuck. seriously. What the fuck? What are you sorry for? You aren’t sorry, you are expressing pity. It is incredibly demeaning and further serves to infantilize autistic people. I don’t want pity- I want acceptance and understanding. 

A really great thing to say instead when someone discloses that they’re autistic is “thank you for telling me.” 

And yes, this can and should be reblogged by neurotypicals and neurodiverse alike

[reinbewpastel]

NTs when I tell them I’m autistic or when I’m masking: I support autism! I don’t see you as any different! I love you for who you are! Be yourself! Don’t change!

NTs when I show my autistic traits/when I explain my autistic behaviors/when I have sensory issues and I try to explain it to them/when I stim or fidget/when I don’t make eye contact/when I don’t get a joke right away/when I don’t dress neurotypical/when I have an outburst or a meltdown/when I get too overly involved in my special interest/when I don’t text back right away/when I cancel plans: You only have a little bit of autism. Stop using your autism as an excuse! Real life doesn’t have accommodations. That’s not how the real world works. You’re too sensitive! Why should we all have to go out of our way and change plans or make ourselves uncomfortable just to make you comfortable? You need to get over it. You need to better yourself! You wouldn’t be acting like this had you not gotten tested and given yourself that label. You’re not like this other person who is nonverbal or the person who’s intellectually disabled. Stop fidgeting and look at me in the eyes. You’re so challenging for us to be around! You’re being so childish and immature. You need to start dressing like “yourself”/neurotypical instead of hiding behind these clothes. You need to stop being so invested in your interest and start thinking about real life. Why are you ignoring me? I see that you have time to post on Facebook, so you obviously have time to text me back. Why do you keep cancelling plans? Do you not like me? Why do you need a therapist when you have me? Why can’t you just be like everyone else?

[faeriesaurus]

i've already seen my first puzzle pieces of april and i just.... how many times do we have to fucking tell you?

please just please