autistic-af:

Source ~ TikTok @/purpleellaandcoco

Transcript:

If you’re autistic or ADHD and are working on the process of unmasking this is for you. This is for if you’ve spent so long developing your mask that you don’t actually know who you are underneath it, and when people ask you “just unmask”, you don’t even know how to do that.

So, what I am going to suggest is that you make a Document of You.

This is something that I did when I first started unmasking. It can be in any format but I’ve done mine as a digital drawing, because I love to draw.

So, this is my Document of Me. What I’ve got is a picture of me of how I see myself.

And when I first made pictures like this, I didn’t actually look like this because I was still dressing to fit in with my age group and my perception of what a normal person in my situation would do. So, I drew myself exactly how I wanted to look, which is kinda how I look now.

And then, in this box here, I put all the things I genuinely like.

So, when I first started unmasking, I was aware that I was doing things to fit in. Like, I would go on shopping trips with my friends because people enjoy shopping and even though I got sensory overload I kept doing it because I felt that’s what I should be doing.

Or, I would get massages because massages are relaxing even though I find the touch too much and I really don’t like it.

So, I made sure that in this box I only put things that I genuinely know bring me joy, and I like them, I’m not doing them because it will make me feel like I’m more normal.

So, I like watching Marvel movies, and I like to go out with my friends and eat sushi, and I like listening to ghost podcasts, and I like to watch Doctor Who.

So, this is all the things I genuinely like.

And then in the last box, I put aspects of my personality that feel real, rather than anything that I’m doing, or was doing, to try and be like a normal person.

So, I’m analytical. I analyse the crap out of everything!

I am bold. I am on the internet sharing all my stuff. That feels pretty bold.

And also, I like to think that I’m funny.

Now, this section you’ll notice is quite empty on mine because I didn’t want to put anything that wasn’t definitely true and I’m planning on adding to it as I learn more about myself.

And I found this a really useful exercise because it taught me to recognise what was and what wasn’t the mask and as a starting point for working out who I am and therefore what I’m aiming to be able to be authentically more of the time.

I hope this is helpful for you, too.

Just. Tourette’s. Things. PART 1

Why is my face bruised? Oh.

Just. Tourette’s. Things. PART 1

Why is my face bruised? Oh.

From Aspie writers everywhere!

shoefaced-deactivated20210321:

I think we should talk more about how adhd affects artistic hobbies. Some adhd artists, writers, and musicians might be able to hyperfocus on their art, but I also bet there are many adhd people who can’t engage with their hobbies at all, even when they want to. Who tell themselves over and over “just create something, god damn it” but can’t.

Those who feel like imposters, who think “I should want this, I need to want this, I need to do this, or else maybe I don’t actually want to be an artist like I thought.” Even without imposter syndrome, it’s soul-crushing to be unable to start, sustain, or enjoy the hobbies that once fulfilled you.

You are seen.

hi yes! here are my two cents-

I am 13 years old and autistic. I have many hobbies, such as playing guitar, drawing, writing poetry, making jewelry, etc. And while I don’t have ADHD myself, I do share a lot in common with my ADHD peers! 

I often find that it is hard for me to divide my energy and time on all of my hobbies, which really frustrates me. Some days I may be able to draw all sorts of wonderful things, and yet when I sit down to practice some guitar, I’m just not feeling in the mood. Or sometimes I’ll make lots and lots of bracelets, earrings, and necklaces in the span of an hour, but when I try to put my creativity at work with poetry, I don’t get anywhere! (This pretty much explains why I have a very irregular pattern of activity on here.)

Personally, when I’m struggling with this stuff, I feel like I’m not working hard enough to pursue my goals with guitar, or that I won’t become more skillful or successful if I’m not giving my full effort to practicing guitar 24/7.. but why should I feel like that? You don’t need to push yourself to your absolute limits to feel good about your skills and hobbies!

And while this can be upsetting, It’s important to understand that everybody functions differently when it comes to tasks or hobbies. And that’s okay! It’s taken me a while to realize this, but you don’t haveto be 100% productive in all of your hobbies/activities- that’s not how the human brain works! And I know how frustrating it may be to not be able to do certain things at certain times. I know sometimes you may feel like a failure, or you may feel stupid, or inattentive. Or maybe you feel like you’re not doing things right. But it’s perfectly normal to not be able to put 100% of your focus on everything! Remember to take a break from your hobbies if you need to! you don’t have to overwork yourself to be successful with your favorite activities. <3

The English language ready has me unable to can:

fire = a heating element

fi'e = the same, but for the Black SB/COGIC community in the US

hot = attractive

hot water = trouble

on fire = a successful streak

into the fire = in more trouble

flaming = gay

burning = really intense/important…. or on fire… but like… as in suffering… likely by means of fire

Sorry I don’t have a punchline for any of this, it’s just trippy.

They’re called “panic attacks” and not “panic fair fights” for a reason

impotsiblelife:

If bras hurt your shoulders and make your pain worse, don’t wear them. If that itchy sweater your grandma gave you aggravates your sensory problems, thank her for it, but don’t wear it. If heels make your feet ache or make your dysautonomia flare, wear flats to parties. You shouldn’t follow any social conventions that make your symptoms worse, let alone ones related to something as insignifcant as the clothing you put on your body. 

[ADHD AND LANGUAGE LEARNING/STUDYING]

Hello! For those who are ADHD, what does your developed study process look like? I find that I rely on my current mood a lot when it comes to studying so it’s a bit difficult to build a routine. I honestly don’t think I want to have a schedule, maybe just a skeleton I can work with that’s flexible. I’d love your insights and tips!

SHARE YOUR STIMS!!!

MY STIMS:

-Flapping my hands

-Hitting my face

-Drumming my fingers

-Bouncing my leg

-Humming

-Wiggling my toes

-Running my thumbs between my fingers

-Tapping my feet

-Chewing on the skin in my mouth

-Pressing my lips together

-Rocking around

-Swinging my legs

-Rubbing my nose

-Pulling on the skin around my eyes

-Clenching my knees

-Hopping

Being unmedicated is like, please stop talking to me I’ve used up 3/5 of my automated responses in this one conversation alone and require 2-3 business days to replenish unless you want to hear me say “sure thing” five more times in a row.

autistic-and-confused:

I’ve been floating in a limbo between finishing my snack and going for my shower for like 10 minutes now. stuff like that happens to me all the time but only now I see it could be autistic inertia or at least some form of executive dysfunction. switching between tasks can take ages.

mr-squiggley-poufs:

Ok so I’ve found a way to describe what Neurodivergent Can’t Do Task Mode™ feels like to neurotypicals

So you know how you can’t make yourselfputyour hand down on a hot stovetop? There’s a part of your brainthatstops you from doing that? That’s what Neurodivergent Can’t Do Task Mode™ feels like

Even if we want to do it, there’s a barrier stopping us from doing it, and it’s really hard to override

Andwhydoesour brain see the task as a hot stovetop? Because when neurotypicals finish a task, they get serotonin, but we don’t get that satisfactionaftercompleting a task. A neurotypical wouldn’t get serotoninfromputting their hand on a hot stovetop, it would just hurt. When we can’t do a task, it’s because our brain knows that the taskwillhurt (metaphorically) and wants to avoid that.

It’snot that we’re choosing not to do the task, it’s that our brain is physically preventing us from doing it.

Neurotypicals can and should reblog but please don’t add anything

(Sorry/not sorry about the random bolding, it makes it easier for us to read)