Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #Neurodiversesquad
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"High Functioning" just means "capable of hiding our internal experience".
High Functioning Anxiety, Depression, Autism - so on.
The label is not helpful to the person capable of hiding their difficulties and struggles other than to maintain privacy /autonomy.
1/
High Functioning Anxiety, Depression, Autism - so on.
The label is not helpful to the person capable of hiding their difficulties and struggles other than to maintain privacy /autonomy.
1/
"High Functioning" means you do what's expected of you.
Maybe it's work. Take care of your kids or friends or family. The ability to convince other people you're doing okay, that you don't need help or accommodation.
"High Functioning" convinces us we "shouldn't" need help.
2/
Maybe it's work. Take care of your kids or friends or family. The ability to convince other people you're doing okay, that you don't need help or accommodation.
"High Functioning" convinces us we "shouldn't" need help.
2/
"High Functioning" convinces us our distress is just us being dramatic. That we are
"making a big deal out of nothing". That we need to put more energy into cleaning, working, cooking - whatever it is we're
struggling to do day to day.
"High Functioning" is a liar.
3/
"making a big deal out of nothing". That we need to put more energy into cleaning, working, cooking - whatever it is we're
struggling to do day to day.
"High Functioning" is a liar.
3/
Not autistic afaik but #NeurodiverseSquad at least & im legit nosy
I actually really want to know a lot of stuff abt other ppl but I know it’s rude to ask
In my case it’s both curiosity but also trying to understand how ppl work bc i don’t get it yet tho getting better
I actually really want to know a lot of stuff abt other ppl but I know it’s rude to ask
In my case it’s both curiosity but also trying to understand how ppl work bc i don’t get it yet tho getting better
Like a recurring theme is wondering whether my whole family is weird compared to other South Asian folks we interact w or is it a cultural thing bc I don’t know many ppl who are from my parents exact culture / speak my parents’ first language outside of extended family
Ppl whose families seem to predominantly speak Urdu seem much more formal / “grown up” than my family even w each other. Granted I speak Urdu as my first language but parents don’t. & no one’s going around reading / listening to ghazals etc in my family. No bhari Urdu at all here
OK for real, Neurodivergent Book Club, we are going to read From Margin to Center by bell hooks.
It's less than 200 pages, and it will inform our activism and advocacy in ways that we need.
Reply to this tweet if you are in and can get the book by Jan 1.
It's less than 200 pages, and it will inform our activism and advocacy in ways that we need.
Reply to this tweet if you are in and can get the book by Jan 1.
Paging #ActuallyAutistic friends, #ADHD and #Neurodiversesquad -- let's gather to read a short bell hooks book and grow together. Respond upthread to participate! :)
This group will move slowly to give people time to read and think. I am thinking a weekly chapter or X pages, I will have a reading schedule by the time we get started.
It's only 200 pages so shouldn't be a big lift.
It's only 200 pages so shouldn't be a big lift.
#ADHD rant: I'm sitting in the waiting room of my doctor's office. I have to come here every couple of months (for an appointment that, frankly, could just be an email) so I can keep getting the meds that make my brain work. (1/9)
Thanks to some road closures and, y'know, the adhd, I was 10 minutes late. Apparently, that's late enough that my doctor already started her next appointment. The receptionist said I could either reschedule, or wait for she-didn't-know-how-long. (2/9)
I had already been rationing my adderall to make it to today, so I picked wait. Sitting here in my shame sounded better than risking withdrawal and letting my partner and my colleagues down with my executive dysfunction. (3/9)
We don't talk much about it anymore, but the fact that SMS/iMessage/WhatsApp/FB Messages/Signal/Instagram DMs/etc/etc/etc don't work together is a real accessibility issue for #adhd people.
I struggle to keep in touch with people closest to me. Tracking people and conversations across at least 10 different systems is basically impossible for me and many other similarly disabled folks.
This came up for me thinking about the fact that Apple is launching cross-platform Facetime, 10 years after launch. The reason they did this was because Facetime was got destroyed by Zoom in the past year, not for any altruistic reasons.
Just had a long conversation with SO about how weird I am for having such strong opinions on various numbers (based on nothing but ✨vibes✨).
What are your favorite & hated numbers, #neurodiversesquad?
What are your favorite & hated numbers, #neurodiversesquad?
Here are the correct answers. Do not question me.
Lawful good - 3
Neutral good - 27
Chaotic good - 19
Lawful neutral - 9
True neutral - 2
Chaotic neutral - 11
Lawful evil - 6
Neutral evil - 62
Chaotic evil - 88
Lawful good - 3
Neutral good - 27
Chaotic good - 19
Lawful neutral - 9
True neutral - 2
Chaotic neutral - 11
Lawful evil - 6
Neutral evil - 62
Chaotic evil - 88
(You can still tell me your answers. I will still love and respect you even though in my heart I will know you are wrong 💖)
So I just randomly stumbled upon some noise-canceling earbuds that can be helpful for hearing loss,
and it turns out there are several reviews from neurodivergent people (including autistic people referencing sensory overload) saying they were helpful -
nuheara.com/usa/products/
and it turns out there are several reviews from neurodivergent people (including autistic people referencing sensory overload) saying they were helpful -
nuheara.com/usa/products/
I've never heard of them at all but feel like it's definitely worth mentioning in case anyone thinks it would help them. I think most reviews were referencing the IQbuds2 Max.
The most common complain is that even the "small" earbud size is still painful &/or falls out easily.
The most common complain is that even the "small" earbud size is still painful &/or falls out easily.
But at least two people reviewed it who were autistic and said it helped with canceling out loud sounds, other people said it helped cancel out chewing sounds. And it has a lot of different environmental settings. Not sure if it would be good for hyperacusis or not specifically.
We need to stop using derogatory terms such as ‘treatment-resistant’ or ‘non-compliant.’ There are many reasons involved, many of which are either the therapy framework or the therapists themselves. It is utter arrogance and delusion to exclusively place the onus (1)
on the patient with no room for self-reflection. “If the therapy doesn’t work, it’s the patient’s fault, not the therapy itself” is a mentality that needs to go. It hinders progress by shutting doors to the formulation of newer & innovative frameworks. We hear everywhere how (2)
CBT is ‘evidence-based’: but for whom? Does it account for neurodivergents’ sensory processing differences affecting every level of psychological, social, and mental functioning? No. There are many neurodivergent people struggling with their mental health and they aren’t (3)
What to do if you think you might have ADHD: a (very long) thread ➡️
Lots of people are asking me this atm, so I've thrown some advice together. Please note, these are just some things I found helpful during my diagnosis process- they might not work for you.
Lots of people are asking me this atm, so I've thrown some advice together. Please note, these are just some things I found helpful during my diagnosis process- they might not work for you.
1. Reassure yourself.
It's easy to start hyperfocusing on ADHD and catastrophizing in the early stages. You are still who you were yesterday. You don’t have to find out everything instantly, and if you're on here, you've found a community that can help you through this journey.
It's easy to start hyperfocusing on ADHD and catastrophizing in the early stages. You are still who you were yesterday. You don’t have to find out everything instantly, and if you're on here, you've found a community that can help you through this journey.
2. Don't make an appointment with your doctor (yet).
I know this is controversial, but not all doctors have the expertise to assess ADHD. I recommend seeing one after you've learnt more about ADHD, so you can figure out whether they know their stuff or not.
I know this is controversial, but not all doctors have the expertise to assess ADHD. I recommend seeing one after you've learnt more about ADHD, so you can figure out whether they know their stuff or not.
I see a lot of people recently interested in the autism quizzes available online. Here are 3 I have tried, I'm sharing these for anyone who is interested. I am not endorsing the quizzes, their creators, or the results, but it can be a useful starting point for people who are...
early in their diagnostic journey. It can help you visualize some neurodivergent traits, provide validation, & point you in the direction of future research. Most of all, it can help you start thinking critically about your neurodivergent traits, & honestly, the quizzes are...
fun to take & share your results with friends & family. Please keep in mind these are not official or necessarily scientific, so take your results with a grain of salt. I also recommend if possible having someone close to you help answer questions to get an outside perspective...
#DetransAwarenessDay is trending.
It's easy for our fears impermanence and making the "wrong" decisions for our bodyminds to surge to the surface.
Deep breaths. Check in with your body's wisdom. I believe you in all of your truths. #TransIsBeautiful #NonbinaryPride #Agender
It's easy for our fears impermanence and making the "wrong" decisions for our bodyminds to surge to the surface.
Deep breaths. Check in with your body's wisdom. I believe you in all of your truths. #TransIsBeautiful #NonbinaryPride #Agender
If you're a trans or nonbinary (++) survivor of sexual or intimate partner violence whose heart feels as heavy as mine does today, I encourage you to check out the resources at @FORGEforward (forge-forward.org), including the survivor blog: trans-survivors.com/blog/
If you're looking for #trans and #nonbinary affirming mental health/mental illness/Madness support that doesn't rely on calling the cops, I'd strongly recommend you check out and support @fireweedHJ and @projectlets! #NeurodiverseSquad
Input #DisabilityTwitter: "Most instututions are are federally funded and thus has to include disability in statements. Unfortunately, disability is a spectrum & doesn't have it's own culture. (Deaf culture is the outlier) So it's hard to be seen as a unified culture. 1/
This was my question: Why do you believe that disability has made it into DEI statements of most institutions, yet has remained limited to accessibility and accommodations without being seen as a cultural group deserving of diversity program focused on disabled students in 2/
research or medicine and increasing recruitment of disabled students?
The response took me aback. @DisInHigherEd @Disabled_Docs @DisabledStem @DisabledInPsych @APHADisability
What are your thoughts on the question or the response I received above? 3/
The response took me aback. @DisInHigherEd @Disabled_Docs @DisabledStem @DisabledInPsych @APHADisability
What are your thoughts on the question or the response I received above? 3/
A thread on something you might not know about how attention works
There are two totally separate brain systems that govern attention:
- your ability to maintain focus on the thing ('enhancement')
- your ability to tune out other things ('suppression').
#ADHD #NeurodiverseSquad
There are two totally separate brain systems that govern attention:
- your ability to maintain focus on the thing ('enhancement')
- your ability to tune out other things ('suppression').
#ADHD #NeurodiverseSquad
How attention works 2/8
"These processes [focusing on something and tuning out distractions] are so separate, in fact, there are different networks of brain structures that carry out their respective functions, each of which is critical for attention."
"These processes [focusing on something and tuning out distractions] are so separate, in fact, there are different networks of brain structures that carry out their respective functions, each of which is critical for attention."
How attention works 3/8
"Although it may seem counterintuitive, we now appreciate that focusing and ignoring are not two sides of the same coin […] it is not necessarily true that when you focus more on something, you automatically ignore everything else better."
"Although it may seem counterintuitive, we now appreciate that focusing and ignoring are not two sides of the same coin […] it is not necessarily true that when you focus more on something, you automatically ignore everything else better."
I want to talk a little bit about AHDH and burnout.
In particular I want to talk about how some things we associate with ADHD are actually behaviors we learned to deal with a disabeling environment.
#neurodiversesquad
In particular I want to talk about how some things we associate with ADHD are actually behaviors we learned to deal with a disabeling environment.
#neurodiversesquad
I am currently recovering from burn-out and have returned to work after a month off. Before I went off I was having panic attacks, insomnia, crippeling executive dysfunction and constant fatigue. I was also convinced that a) I was fine and b)nothing could make me better.
I still have some shit to figure out in terms of why I crashed as hard as I did (and why it keeps happening) but one thing that is becoming clearer and clearer to me is that all thoughout my education I have been actively discouraged from taking care of myself
#ADHDers have a "talent" for disappearing.
ADHD-ghosting usually happens when RSD is in control; we believe the other person/ppl don't want anything to do with us cuz we made a mistake, missed a deadline, etc etc.
They're also a response to being overwhelmed by "all the things"
ADHD-ghosting usually happens when RSD is in control; we believe the other person/ppl don't want anything to do with us cuz we made a mistake, missed a deadline, etc etc.
They're also a response to being overwhelmed by "all the things"
But sometimes it's entirely unintentional. We don't notice time passing so don't realize how long it's been, & we aren't good at recalling something without being prompted so something needing a reply can get pushed to the background when our attention is full of "all the things"
These vanishing acts can occur gradually or in one big impulsive withdraw. They end up persisting when we don't know how to reconnect with that person since it is often viewed as a breach of trust or as being rude; making it all the more difficult for us to overcome this behavior
On #WorldMentalHealthDay, which poignantly for me coincides with October's #ADHDAwarenessMonth, I wish to follow the example of others & share my experience in what I believe is an unfit for purpose mental health service here in Scotland. #TeamADHD #neurodiversesquad (1/?)
After years of operating in a constant state of overwhelm, exhaustion and anxiety, I went to my GP in January to seek a referral to NHS psychiatry because I had come to believe that I was suffering with undiagnosed ADHD. A week later I received this letter. (2/?)
For 6 months leading up to this appointment, I had carried out thorough research after a colleague from a teaching job caused me to question if ADHD was at the root of why I was so deeply miserable in my university life. It wasn't long before the penny dropped. (3/?)
Ok so here's a thread for a Sunday. Parents of ND children/ND adults reflecting on your childhood...
What would you truly like your child's teacher to understand about your child/experience?
I want to use your answers for staff training this year so PLEASE engage with me and
What would you truly like your child's teacher to understand about your child/experience?
I want to use your answers for staff training this year so PLEASE engage with me and
Retweet far and wide. I want to get as many responses as possible to reflect the diversity of experiences.
#AskingAutistics #AllAutistics #ADHD #neurodiversesquad #neurodiversity
Please tag people in too if you think their insight will be valuable.
Thank you ❤️
#AskingAutistics #AllAutistics #ADHD #neurodiversesquad #neurodiversity
Please tag people in too if you think their insight will be valuable.
Thank you ❤️
Thank you for all your responses. They will be put to good use!
Let's talk about an (I think) #adhd/#bp2/#neurodiversesquad thing: "The Transition Chasm", as I like to call it.
It's when you *want* to do something, but the transition from what you are currently doing is effectively stopping you from doing the new thing.
It's when you *want* to do something, but the transition from what you are currently doing is effectively stopping you from doing the new thing.
It doesn't really matter what kind of activities both are. They can be something you like, or don't like. Things you like are harder to transition away from, things you don't like are harder to transition to.
And temporally wise, it doesn't really matter if it's now or somewhere in the future. It could be something you have to do now, or something that you have planned for in the past.
hey #ADHD #NeurodiverseSquad. There's some hot button debates going on about the use of certain terms which already have clinically significant meaning, being used in different and new ways to describe our experiences. I'm going to weigh in. Bear with me.
There are two sides to the debate (well, three if you count people who don't care):
- Side 1: Terms that already have a scientific or clinical meaning shouldn't be co-opted to explain other experiences because it muddies the waters and discredits us vis a vis having our experiences taken seriously by medical professionals who are gonna side-eye us
Here are my takes on Netflix's new show, #LoveOnTheSpectrum, as an #ActuallyAutistic viewer.
A thread... 1/?
#autismacceptance #neurodiversesquad #Neurodiversity #AllAutistics
A thread... 1/?
#autismacceptance #neurodiversesquad #Neurodiversity #AllAutistics
1st episode: I really like how they talk about how the ratio of boys to girls with autism is shrinking down from that often cited ratio of 4:1. They mention how this is due to our increased understanding of different presentations of autism, so A++ there!
2/?
2/?
I also love that they touch on how empathetic autistic people can be! It is often our superpower, & we can become amazing at things like reading facial expressions & body language, even better than a typical person in some cases, due to our ability to observe/study behavior.
3/?
3/?
A brief thread of my real #ADHD experience:
ADHD is...
Wanting to do the all the things but being able to do less and less the more there is to do.
Desperately trying and failing to learn new names while being able to recall loads of facts even you don't care about. 1/
ADHD is...
Wanting to do the all the things but being able to do less and less the more there is to do.
Desperately trying and failing to learn new names while being able to recall loads of facts even you don't care about. 1/
ADHD is...
Doubting even your strengths.
Unloading anger and frustration on those closest to you because you held it together all day at work and something has to give. 2/
Doubting even your strengths.
Unloading anger and frustration on those closest to you because you held it together all day at work and something has to give. 2/
ADHD is...
Taking on more than you can handle because you want to be helpful.
Feeling strong emotions without knowing why. 3/
Taking on more than you can handle because you want to be helpful.
Feeling strong emotions without knowing why. 3/
I've known I have #ADHD for 4 years. I've known I'm #dyslexic & Autistic for 2 months. This semester, I've spent enormous time/energy understanding what this means for me. I am relieved & unbelievably excited; I've found an incredible #ActuallyAutistic community through Twitter;
& for the FIRST time in my life (let that sink in) I'm seeing other people talk about experiences that mirror my own. I understand myself in a way that I have tried to find words for my entire life. (TY @SNeurotypicals @steve_asbell @autistictic @A_Silent_Child) #ActuallyAutistic
I'm also navigating grief. I now see the ways I'm called to & do invalidate, erase, & hurt myself in the "necessary" betrayal of my needs to exist in a neurotypical, "appropriate" way. Camouflaging causes negative health outcomes & creates #healthdisparities #NMHM2020 #Autistic
Unfortunately I’m accustomed to having weeks at a time stuck at home sick #disabled #EhlersDanlos.
So, one upside is I can share some tips for coping with being shut up indoors for extended periods!
Settle in kids, this might be a long thread 🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵
So, one upside is I can share some tips for coping with being shut up indoors for extended periods!
Settle in kids, this might be a long thread 🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵
1) VitD deficiency sucks and will make you likelier to get sick too healthline.com/nutrition/vita…
Being indoors more you’re more susceptible — take Vit D supplements starting right now ☀️ 💊 ☀️ amzn.to/2Wev57T
Being indoors more you’re more susceptible — take Vit D supplements starting right now ☀️ 💊 ☀️ amzn.to/2Wev57T
2) Reduction in outdoors time will also mess you up. Either make a plan to SAFELY spend as much time as usual outside, or get yourself sat down in front of a daylight lamp soon as ☀️💡☀️
I like this one as it’s easy to move with you amzn.to/2w8HYpq [aff link]
I like this one as it’s easy to move with you amzn.to/2w8HYpq [aff link]
Okay so theres this #ADHD thing where people w ADHD are notorious for wanting to do EVERYTHING THEMSELVES and NEVER ASK FOR HELP OR DELEGATE. Obviously this can contribute to our over-commitment problem & leads to stuff not getting done, being delayed or done sloppily
I started asking myself why this is? One answer that seems obvious is that when we agree to a task or project it feels good (dopamine) and because of time blindness we legitimately think we can do ALL THE THINGS
Only later to discover much to our chagrin that trying to do 30 things in one day is...a bit much...
I think it has a lot to do with the fact that ADHDers legitimately dont know what is OK to ask for help with.
I think it has a lot to do with the fact that ADHDers legitimately dont know what is OK to ask for help with.
