Thread by @AutieAdorableMC

Verbal instructions from me to myself : absolutely necessary for overcoming ADHD inattention and Autistic inertia

Verbal instructions from other people : huh?

#ActuallyAutistic #adhdtwitter

Sometimes I'm oblivious while doing a task because I'm busy fixating on a thought stream, then realize I've finished a task but can't remember what I just did.

So I have to look around me and declare to myself what I just did.

"I just ate dinner."

#adhdtwitter

Then I can feel that sense of completion and relief knowing I can now let go of my attention on this task, decompress, and think about my next step.

Task-switching is so difficult when 1) you perseverate on whatever you're doing and 2) can't remember what you just did.

It's gotten harder to decide what I should be doing next. This is the ADHD. So sometimes I just have to reach out and grab the first task or step that comes to mind so at least something gets done.

But I can't get it started unless I verbally instruct myself.

"Open the oven".

So I go around the house like my own occupational therapist, talking to myself all day about what I just did and what I need to do next.

Not being able to do this in public without looking odd → masking and executive functioning difficulty².