Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #autistictwitter
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🧵Common warning signs of autistic burnout:
Either that it's coming soon, or that you’re in it.
People in burnout may experience some of these, but probably never all of them.
#AutisticBurnout #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #AutisticTwitter #AuDHD
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Either that it's coming soon, or that you’re in it.
People in burnout may experience some of these, but probably never all of them.
#AutisticBurnout #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #AutisticTwitter #AuDHD
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Also, all comparisons (more, increased, longer, etc) are using YOUR personal best functional time in life as a baseline. This is not a comparison to others, this is a comparison to you alone.
In no particular order:
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In no particular order:
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Low energy.
Exhaustion.
Sleep disruptions, lack of sleep, or sleeping all the time without feeling rested.
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Exhaustion.
Sleep disruptions, lack of sleep, or sleeping all the time without feeling rested.
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🧵How to get out of #AutisticBurnout when you can't quit responsibilities (parenting/work/etc).
This is meant as a framework, a guide. Please adjust for your own circumstances and needs.
#ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #AutisticTwitter #AuDHD
This is meant as a framework, a guide. Please adjust for your own circumstances and needs.
#ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #AutisticTwitter #AuDHD
Before we get practical:
Recognize that things are going to have to change eventually. You may not be able to quit your kids or your family or even this job, but something is going to have to change.
You can't heal in the environment that made you sick.
Recognize that things are going to have to change eventually. You may not be able to quit your kids or your family or even this job, but something is going to have to change.
You can't heal in the environment that made you sick.
1. You can make a lot of gains for free, with little or no extra time, by picking apart and dissolving the untrue thoughts that are causing you pain.
You can do this even when the kids and loud and you're cleaning up peach juice flung against the wall, or your boss is raging.
You can do this even when the kids and loud and you're cleaning up peach juice flung against the wall, or your boss is raging.
"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.
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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.
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"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.
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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.
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"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.
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"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.
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Hey Therapists, Stop telling clients you
"don't understand why they want to know if they're autistic because it wouldn't make a difference, anyway".
#TherapistTwitter #AutisticTwitter
"don't understand why they want to know if they're autistic because it wouldn't make a difference, anyway".
#TherapistTwitter #AutisticTwitter
Hey Therapists, Telling your clients "it wouldn't matter if they were Autistic or not" is - at best, dismissive and at worst, medical gaslighting and/or medical trauma - both common experiences in the Autism Community.
#LateDiagnosedAutistic #MentalHealthMatters
#LateDiagnosedAutistic #MentalHealthMatters
Hey Therapists, Stop telling clients they
"couldn't possibly be Autistic because (insert harmful stereotype here)."
It's inaccurate and causes harm to your clients and the Autistic community.
#AutismCommunity #AutismAssessment #AutismEvaluation #Therapy
"couldn't possibly be Autistic because (insert harmful stereotype here)."
It's inaccurate and causes harm to your clients and the Autistic community.
#AutismCommunity #AutismAssessment #AutismEvaluation #Therapy
🧵about autism "treatment"
When I got my #autism dx (at 35) and started trying to figure this stuff out, I scoured the Internet, researched standard “treatment” options, and searched high and low for anything that would help.
#ActuallyAutistic #AutisticTwitter #AutismAcceptance
When I got my #autism dx (at 35) and started trying to figure this stuff out, I scoured the Internet, researched standard “treatment” options, and searched high and low for anything that would help.
#ActuallyAutistic #AutisticTwitter #AutismAcceptance
I was quickly frustrated that most autism services were only available to kids, but later learned that most of those were crap anyway. So, blessing in disguise.
That forced me to look for unorthodox solutions. To find my own way. And confront a lot of my assumptions, internalized ableism, and prejudice against using my emotions or body signals as any sort of useful information.
I’m celebrating the 4th #autieversary #autiversary of getting my v late in life #autism diagnosis today.
Here’s a thread of some of the #threads I’ve written along the way, starting with my 1st anniversary when I wrote about my beloved dogs.
#ActuallyAutistic
#AutisticTwitter
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Here’s a thread of some of the #threads I’ve written along the way, starting with my 1st anniversary when I wrote about my beloved dogs.
#ActuallyAutistic
#AutisticTwitter
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Nearly two years on from my #diagnosis I wrote about how much I had discovered about #autism and myself.
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On the second anniversary of my #autism diagnosis I wrote a thread about #bullying (not realising that it was my #autieversary at the time). It was very appropriate though, as bullying and abuse have had a huge impact on me, especially in adulthood.
#ActuallyAutistic
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#ActuallyAutistic
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🧵How to recover from autistic burnout.
Once you've figured out you're in #AutisticBurnout, the natural question becomes, how do you get out of it? How do you recover?
Here's my philosophy, in 5 parts.
#ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #AutisticTwitter #AuDHD #AutismAcceptance
Once you've figured out you're in #AutisticBurnout, the natural question becomes, how do you get out of it? How do you recover?
Here's my philosophy, in 5 parts.
#ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #AutisticTwitter #AuDHD #AutismAcceptance
I've recovered from two severe, years-long burnouts, and several weeks-to-months-long ones. I've also been burnout free since 2015!
Over the last few years, I've been helping others create their own versions of this journey.
Over the last few years, I've been helping others create their own versions of this journey.
Everyone is unique, and every recovery journey is unique. Nevertheless, there are some pretty consistent patterns, and my pattern-loving brain has synthesized my own take on what it takes to get out of burnout, and stay out.
🧵 What your senses experience is real. What you feel is what you feel. If you're cold when others are hot, or overwhelmed by noise when others are not, you really are cold, or overwhelmed, etc.
#ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #AutisticTwitter #AuDHD #SPD #HSP #sensory #autism
#ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #AutisticTwitter #AuDHD #SPD #HSP #sensory #autism
Acknowledging sensory experiences is the beginning of acceptance.
Instead of responding like, "You're cold? It's not cold in here. It's hot. Stop complaining. Get over it."
Try responding like, "You're cold? That's interesting, as I'm hot. Would you like a sweater or blanket?"
Instead of responding like, "You're cold? It's not cold in here. It's hot. Stop complaining. Get over it."
Try responding like, "You're cold? That's interesting, as I'm hot. Would you like a sweater or blanket?"
Many of us autistics grew up with people around us ignoring, dismissing, or punishing our sensory experiences. As adults, even a little validation can feel like a huge relief.
🧵Common warning signs of autistic burnout:
Either that it is coming soon, or that you’re in it.
Any individual may experience some of these, but probably never all of them.
In no particular order.
#AutisticBurnout #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #AutisticTwitter #AuDHD
Either that it is coming soon, or that you’re in it.
Any individual may experience some of these, but probably never all of them.
In no particular order.
#AutisticBurnout #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #AutisticTwitter #AuDHD
Also, all comparisons (more, increased, longer, etc) are using YOUR personal best functional time in life as a baseline. This is not a comparison to others, this is a comparison to you alone.
Getting sick easily.
Taking longer that usual to recover.
Minor, or major, injuries or accidents.
Taking longer that usual to recover.
Minor, or major, injuries or accidents.
When I notice I'm dissociating out of habit or boredom, and don't want to, I find it helps to feel sensations in my physical body as a way to stay in the present moment. Stimming or moving helps that, or deep breathing.
#ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #AutisticTwitter #AuDHD
#ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #AutisticTwitter #AuDHD
This sensations could be anything. Heat or cold, the movement of a finger, discomfort, the feel of clothes against my skin, the sensation of my lungs expanding. Anything, so long as I don't judge it as good or bad, just notice. It's about staying in the moment, nothing else.
A few minutes of this noticing, and I find I'm not dissociating and am more amenable to doing something useful. It still takes a bit of effort to switch tracks, but it's now possible.
#Thread
Seldom seen and seldom heard: the marginalisation, minoritisation, and under-representation of many #ActuallyAutistic people.
Some personal reflections on why this happens, and what we can do about it.
#AutismAcceptanceMonth
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Seldom seen and seldom heard: the marginalisation, minoritisation, and under-representation of many #ActuallyAutistic people.
Some personal reflections on why this happens, and what we can do about it.
#AutismAcceptanceMonth
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The first thing to say is that I acknowledge my own privilege.
I’m white, I have two degrees and a professional qualification.
I work part time.
I get emotional support from my partner and family. I’m having psychotherapy.
All of these things help to insulate and protect me.
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I’m white, I have two degrees and a professional qualification.
I work part time.
I get emotional support from my partner and family. I’m having psychotherapy.
All of these things help to insulate and protect me.
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The fact that I only discovered I was #ActuallyAutistic late in life undoubtedly harmed me.
For nearly six decades I had no frame of reference to make sense of things.
It’s impossible to disentangle the abuse I suffered because I was neurodivergent, and because I was a woman.
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For nearly six decades I had no frame of reference to make sense of things.
It’s impossible to disentangle the abuse I suffered because I was neurodivergent, and because I was a woman.
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