#nd positivity

[only-knives]

some autistic people have a fight response to overstimulation, unfamiliar/unpredictable situations, breaks in routines or focus, loss of sentimental objects, interpersonal issues, etc.

this can involve physically harming themselves, other people, or objects. yelling and screaming. getting irritable or angry. reckless or impulsive behavior. being rude or saying mean things. you get the idea.

autistic people who do this should still be supported. we deserve people who will advocate for us, respect us, listen to us, care for us, include us, and fight for us.

and no, this does not mean autistic people are allowed to hurt others without consequence.

it means autistic people are people. we're not a monolith. autistic people who have fight responses are just as important as other autistics - especially when it comes to community and advocacy.

autistic people do not have to be palatable to have their human rights respected and upheld. autistic people are allowed to struggle, and that struggle looks different for everyone.

[rambles-of-mental-illness]

A flag for fragile X syndrome (requested/suggested) with assistance from @dragoncxv360. Information under cut

What is Fragile X Syndrome?

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a genetic disorder that affects how the brain develops. It can make learning, talking, and socializing harder for some people. It's the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and happens because of a change (mutation) in the FMR1 gene on the X chromosome.

Why is it called Fragile X?

Under a microscope, the X chromosome in people with this condition looks "fragile" or broken, which is where the name comes from!

What does FXS do?

People with Fragile X might have: - Trouble learning (some have mild difficulties, others need more help) - Speech delays (talking later than other kids) - Anxiety & shyness (especially in social situations) - Sensory issues (loud sounds, bright lights, certain textures might feel overwhelming) - Hyperactivity or impulsiveness (kind of like ADHD) - Autism-like traits (repetitive behaviors, avoiding eye contact, social struggles)

What causes it?

A section of the FMR1 gene (which helps brain cells work properly) repeats too many times and turns off. This stops the body from making a protein called FMRP, which is important for brain development.

A parent can be a carrier (having a smaller mutation) and not show symptoms but still pass it on to their kids.

Is there a cure?

Nope, but there are ways to help! - Speech & behavioral therapy can improve communication. - Special education support helps with learning. - Medications can help with anxiety, hyperactivity, or mood regulation.

How do you know if someone has it?

Doctors can do a genetic test to check for the Fragile X mutation.

Fragile X Syndrome is a neurodivergent disability.

[openmindpsych]

gentle reminder to not expect yourself to be neurotypical as society defines it.

don't expect yourself to magically remember all of your tasks without writing them down, or sometimes even to remember to write them all down. don't expect yourself to be able to be effortlessly charismatic and friendly. don't expect yourself to have energy all the time and always be organized with where you put that energy. don't expect yourself to feel safe all the time and act like it. don't expect yourself to be motivated and productive all the time. don't expect yourself to always be able to pay attention to what you want to, and never get distracted.

neurotypicality is an unrealistic societal standard that nobody can live up to. even people with no mental illness or other diagnosis, with no trauma (if such a person exists), with money, with healthy relationships, and social status still fall short of this. so please, don't expect yourself to be the perfect worker bee. because nobody is.

[clownrecess]

Hi, I'm sorry if you aren't the best person to ask but i cant find anyone else but is it ablest of me to avoid verbally communicating even if I have the ability?

Like I can talk, and it's not particularly hard for me usually, but I feel more comfortable not doing it usually, especially during the times it does hurt. I'm autistic but I don't know if that's the reason why, and I worry it's inconsiderate to not do it by choice since some people don't have one.

Sorry again

It isn't ableist. I've said it before and I will say it again, everyone deserves a comfortable way to communicate. And for you, if using a way other than oral speech is more comfortable, do that!

You deserve to be comfortable, and if that means using AAC, sign, etc. to communicate even though you are speaking. Do it. Somebody who reblogged one of my posts said this, and I think it applies:

"Its called an aid for a reason. You don't NEED a jacket, but winter will be a lot easier if you have one.".

Also, the more people who use AAC the more normalized and available it'll become!

[spidersflags]

The Muppets Special Interest

The Muppets special interest flag! Requested by @kalliepride! I hope this is okay; please let me know if you want a less Kermit-focused version!

[id: a horizontally striped flag with an overlay. there are 6 evenly sized stripes from top to bottom, going from a medium warm green to a slightly darker one each time for the first four, then a light pale desaturated green, then another repeat of the fourth medium green stripe. there's a light, transparent overlay of thin stripes on the top and bottom and middle, half stars on either side, and a moon shape in the center, with the eyes, mouth, and neck frill of Kermit the frog on top]

[adhdew]

i'm constantly finding new ways to prove to myself that i'm kind! that i'm better than my intrusive thoughts! be patient with yourself while you grow past trauma habits that aren't serving you anymore :)

[robinsparrow-the-mad-enby]

Been going down a rabbithole of Neurodivergent discourse on Tumblr instead of working on my term papers, and I've noticed some people discussing how being ND often gets reduced down to just living with ADHD or Autism in most conversations, and while I do agree it's problematic, I don't fully concur that ADHD/Autistic discourse should stop using ND tags and terminology when just referring to those two specific Neurodiversities, but I do think there should be more discourse by and for people experiencing other ND conditions as well.

There are a lot of people sharing their experiences and struggles with ADHD and Autism and I think that is absolutely amazing, and I want that type of discourse, positivity, and community to be more common. As such, I would like to hear about your experience with being neurodivergent beyond just ADHD/Autism (tho don't stop talking about those two either); tell me about your struggles with BPD, Bipolar, Social Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Schizophrenia, and any other mix of atypical brain chemistry you may live with. I want to see more diverse discourse on what it's like to live as a Neurodivergent person in a world that's not built to accommodate us, and I want every ND to feel community.

Tell us jokes that only people with your neurochemistry will fully get, express your frustrations with the challenges you face in your day to day life whether they be big or small, and vent about the fucked up nature of our society that makes accessing the help and accommodations you need difficult and emotionally taxing. Whether you want to share something funny, mundane, or uplifting, express your grievances with society or your own struggles, or you just want to find out if you're not alone in certain aspects of your experience, I would love to see a thriving discourse of all types of Neurodivergent brains, and I think Tumblr is possibly one of the best online spaces for it rn.

I would go first, but this post is long enough as it is, so I will be making a seperate post (or let's be real, problem a long succession of posts over a prolonged period of time) discussing my experiences with Dyslexia, Social Anxiety Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, and other, as of yet undiagnosed or uncertain challenges my brain has faced. I hope other people will be able to relate, and maybe start new conversations on the subject.

(also I want to shout out @burythesememories for getting me started down this rabbithole with their great post defending self-diagnosis)

[autismvampyre]

manners are a social construct created by neurotypicals to make me uncomfortable

no, i will not look you in the eye, leave me alone