Being diagnosed with autism isn't a setback - it's an opportunity to understand and embrace a unique way of experiencing the world. Your autistic identity is an integral part of who you are. Remember, being different isn't a negative. It's a strength that brings diversity and richness to our world.

[Text: Autism Actually. A big step towards self-acceptance was realising that instead of always trying to adapt to a schedule that inevitably lead to burnout, I could adapt my life to accommodate my neurobiology. Shadia Hancock. Copyright Autism Actually, 2022]

Love this from @reframing_autism Give your child access to the Autistic community. Allow them to grow up knowing that there are many others out there with Autistic brains, who understand them, and who are happy and flourishing. 💛 #autism #autismacceptance #actuallyautistic #autisticpride #autisticandproud #autisticidentity #autismquotes #autismmemes #autisticadults #neurodiversity Image description: Multicoloured watercolour dots with yellow circle. Within the yellow circle, text reads: "Autistic children need Autistic adult role models. They need Autistic adults who are "out and proud" about their Autism." Reframing Autism logo Image credit: Teach Cheat/CANVA https://www.instagram.com/p/CRJZZUXspyf/?utm_medium=tumblr

The act of placing gifts under the tree often occurs gradually throughout the holiday season, with the bulk appearing on Christmas Eve. For many families, the reveal and opening of these gifts is a central part of their Christmas morning ritual, creating moments of joy, surprise, and togetherness.

Social interactions do not always have to involve talking - many of my catchups consist of activity based pursuits such as gaming or going to the movies. Even though it may appear that we are not doing much, for me socialising isn't defined by how much we speak; it is being in the presence of one another. It is refreshing for me to be around people with whom there is no pressure to be constantly talking. 🦄🌈🧠♾️ [Text: Autism Actually. Many of my social interactions occur with little or no words at all - while to some this may appear anti-social, for me there is power in shared silence. Shadia Hancock. Copyright Autism Actually, 2022] [Image: An image of the galaxy with the sun on the left and Earth to the right.] #Autism #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #DifferenceNotDisorder #AutisticIdentity #DoubleEmpathy #AutisticPride #Friendship #Socialising #AutismActually https://www.instagram.com/p/CdwvUq6PHDA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Our latest meme emphasises the importance of embracing Autistic identity and reframing autistic expressions as ways of interacting with and responding to the world. This has helped me in understanding why I have sensory sensitivities, validated my differences in social communication, and encouraged me to view my autism as not something to conceal and feel ashamed of. This has helped me in communicating to my friends and family about what autism means to me, and looking beyond my outward 'behaviours'. 🦄🌈🧠♾💛 [Text: Realising that my autistic ways of reacting to the world were not abnormal, but simply different, had a huge impact on my journey towards self-acceptance. Shadia Hancock. Copyright Autism Actually, 2021] [Image: A white person with with long blonde hair and a white top is facing away from the camera towards a rainbow against a sky blue backdrop] #Autism #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #Disability #AutisticIdentity #BeyondBehaviours #Understanding #Acceptance #EmbraceTheStim #Masking #AutismActually https://www.instagram.com/p/CRNun8tszJ7/?utm_medium=tumblr

#Repost @aut.in.sight_aut.in.mind (@get_repost) ・・・ It’s hard to prioritise self-care when it means making choices in opposition to neuro-normative expectations deeply embedded in our society. Some people get angry, are accusatory, or take it personally. Some people are shaming, dismissive, or continue to push boundaries. And some people are unrelentingly kind, supportive, and understanding. These people give time and space, have patience, and encourage authentic Autistic expression (like my vast array of idiosyncratic stims). Unstructured socialising, particularly in groups/with unfamiliar people, and even more so in unfamiliar and/or loud settings, takes a physical toll on me. I am often unwell for days afterwards; I have fibromyalgia and it flares up in response to the stress and cognitive demands of unstructured socialising. I rarely attend social events anymore, I rarely see people socially. This is not social anxiety, this is not a lack of social skill. This is not rejection or a lack of care for the people in my life. This is me accepting that I have a pervasive, neurodevelopmental difference from most people. And I’m cool with that. I have all the social skills I need, I am actually rather good at socialising, but social interaction will never come naturally and intuitively. Mental arithmetic comes more naturally to me than unstructured socialising. Most people don’t want to do a maths exam every weekend, it would be exhausting for them! Socialising is my maths exam. Yes, I get “good marks”... but it’s exhausting! “I spent decades doing my best to fit in- learning social rules and hiding myself behind cognitively powered normalcy- only to find the prize for fitting in so effortfully came in the form of burn-out. Meeting neuro-normative expectations made me sick. I am not making a stand, rebelling, shunning social rules, or pushing people away. I am recovering from burn-out. I finally feel free to be my Autistic self.” #actuallyautistic #autie #neuronormative #autisticidentity #fibromyalgia #autismspectrum #selfcare #autisticselfcare #masking #takeoffthemask #autinsightautinmind https://www.instagram.com/p/BpzeXdfFN4Yk3RAivLy3ShDEYdDKqwrfQqkJJo0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=p1azlcys54tv