THIS is by far my fav starter pack to share. BIPOC Autistic people are among the least heard population when it comes to raising Autistic voices. White supremacy abuses our Neurokin and our research has done little to abate that problem Consider following! We need to listen more to these folks!

Louise Ting@neuro-observant.bsky.social · 2y ago

#BIPOC voices are often missing from autistic spaces, so here is a BIPOC starter pack! 😊 go.bsky.app/TtXfpAt #racialequality #antiracism The image of autism as “only white boys” leads to underdiagnosis, discrimination & isolation for many Our autistic community is much more diverse than that! ❤️

Many autistic people grow up correcting assumptions, defending intentions, and trying to repair misunderstandings So yes - we may “over-explain” or “overthink” Not because we want to… but because experience taught us to

Dear autistic community, May this new year be filled with: - acceptable textures - sufficient executive function - people who don’t say “but everyone’s a bit autistic” - instructions that are actually complete - being believed the first time ❤️

Am seeing so many tired and overwhelmed autistics after Christmas Day 💛 Friendly reminder: - Rest if you need to - Be alone if you need to - Lie in a dark room if you need to - Cancel plans if you need to It’s okay to have needs, even if they don’t look like other people’s ❤️

Autism is internal: sensory experiences, processing differences, how we connect, and what helps us thrive It goes way beyond the superficial, stereotypical representations out there You may not see it all… but it’s real and it’s valid ❤️

Being AuDHD can mean living in extremes: All-in… or checked out Not hungry… or absolutely starving Way too early… or running late A cluttered home… whilst needing order Wanting company… but far too overstimulated to socialise Craving novelty… but also needing everything to stay the same 🫠

Things that help with autistic overwhelm: - stimming - routines - special interests - music/ headphones/ ear defenders - low lighting - weighted blankets & pressure - pacing your energy - taking breaks - being gentle with yourself - setting boundaries - being around supportive people - safe foods

One of the best things you can do for neurodivergent people when giving instructions is incredibly simple: ✨ Write. Them. Down. ✨ Clear written instructions aren’t just helpful - they’re accessibility

The autistic tendency to stay up late because: - nighttime is when the world finally slows down (quieter, fewer demands, less sensory input) - you’ve been randomly hyperfocusing - “do not perceive me” - SPECIAL INTERESTS! ❤️ - transitioning to bedtime can be hard - your circadian rhythm is chaos 🫠

✅ What autism is: - a processing difference - a unique way of experiencing and interacting with the world - a disability (for many, but not all) ❌ What autism is not: - a mental illness - a disease - an excuse Understanding autism means recognizing neurodiversity - not pathologising it ❤️

✨Friendly reminder: Autistic people can overstimulate other autistic people too - and that’s okay Different sensory needs, communication styles or energy levels can clash sometimes Different needs don’t make anyone wrong. They just mean we navigate with care and understanding ❤️ #AutismAwareness

Neurotypical person: writes email, moves on with their life Me, autistic: - Write email - Read email - Delete half of it because too much detail - Add some of it back “just in case” - Overthink periods & exclamation marks - Triple-check tone, punctuation & pleasantries - Send with major anxiety

Autistic people aren’t “bad at following instructions” Many autistic people are actually excellent at following instructions The problem? 👉 The instructions are unclear, vague or inconsistent What’s important is: - clear steps - clear expectations - clear outcomes - clear deadlines #inclusion

Autistic brain: Loved the food Autistic brain: Now hates the food Me: Has 30 of the food Brain: Not my problem 🫠

You can be in a room full of people and still feel lonely And when you’re autistic, that feeling can be even louder But everything changes the moment you find your people - the ones who get you, celebrate you, and make the world feel a little less overwhelming ❤️

It’s wild that in this day and age, some companies still say the only way to reach them is… the phone For autistic people, that’s not a small ask A “simple” phone call can mean anxiety spikes, rehearsing sentences, overwhelming dread, adrenaline crashes, and many hours’ worth of energy gone 😢

The autistic experience of having far too many co-occurring conditions, all of which worsen with stress… Including the neverending stress of being autistic in a neurotypical society E.g. - migraines - gastrointestinal issues - chronic fatigue syndrome - anxiety disorders - sleeping problems

Did you know…? Over 50% of autistic adults are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in their lifetime Causes of anxiety for autistic people include: - sensory issues - feeling misunderstood - having to mask - social challenges - information overwhelm - managing emotions - unexpected changes

✨New research Language shapes how others see us. So, what do neurodivergent people think of the words “neurodiversity” & “neurodivergent”? - mixed views - important that it’s used correctly (it often isn’t!) - for some, it’s a safe umbrella term - for others, it can be too broad or add to stigma

The autistic experience of thinking deeply before speaking… only for the moment to pass because everyone else already jumped in Sometimes we just need a little more time to process and sort through our thoughts And when we do speak, it’s with care #AutismAwareness #inclusion

Autistic accommodations aren’t a luxury They’re not “nice extras” or “special treatment” They’re ESSENTIAL adjustments that help autistic people exist safely, access what others already can, and live with less pain and exhaustion #disability #neurodiversity

Autistic ways of saying “I love you” (that you might miss): - “I researched your problem. Here are your options” - “I made a spreadsheet/ list/ plan to help you” - being ourselves around you (infodumping, not masking etc) - “Here’s a meme that I think you’d like” #AutismAwareness

“It didn’t matter if I was in pain or would be in pain the entire day from the added sensory input” What feels small to one person can be huge to another. For autistic people, those moments can become trauma Neurodivergent people need spaces where they can feel seen, safe, and supported

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism@thinkingautism.com · 10mo ago

These Every Day Little Things Can Destroy An Autistic Person: While the small cruel moments can make an autistic person feel awful, the small kind moments can help that autistic person persevere. New from Luce Greenwood, at TPGA: thinkingautismguide.com/2025/10/thes... #autistic #neurodiversity

I’m still being told by my parents that having feelings is a weakness But you know what? It’s healthy to have feelings. Feelings are information. They tell you what matters, what hurts, what needs care. They help you understand yourself And crying even releases stress hormones It’s ok to feel ❤️

One of the best things I’ve learned as an autistic person is that I don’t *have* to live by neurotypical rules all the time The pressure can be immense. But it’s possible to slowly change that narrative I’m gradually allowing myself to rest more, socialise my way & find joy in my autistic traits ❤️

Everyone gets tired but it can be a whole new level if you’re autistic: The masking, the anxiety, constantly navigating disability, the overwhelming social interactions, trying to manage unpredictability, feeling sensory input intensely… and so much more Yet it’s an exhaustion that few see

Never underestimate autistic enthusiasm The fuel behind deep dives, expert knowledge, incredible ideas, and uplifting others ❤️ Not to mention, the casual chat that turns into the TED talk you didn’t realise you needed! #AutisticJoy

The autistic experience of needing more time to *recover* from socialising than the time you actually spent socialising… Yes, seriously 😅

PSA: Meltdowns aren’t “bad behaviour” They’re a response to overwhelm - a sign that an autistic person’s needs aren’t being met Every autistic person deserves what they need to feel safe, happy and comfortable ❤️ #AutismAwareness

Many people don’t realise how subtle disability discrimination is. No workplace or organisation would just admit to it outright. Instead, they might: - not take your needs seriously - deny you accommodations - have inaccessible processes - give vague reasons as to why they chose not to hire you

Kelly@broadwaybabyto.bsky.social · 10mo ago

“They can’t discriminate against you for being disabled!” In theory this is true. There are protections in place to prevent discrimination In practice they don’t work. Especially with rising fascism and eugenicist sentiment We are denied accommodations. Denied jobs. Denied housing. Denied support