For many in the autistic community, having anxiety is as constant as the north star. It is there when you wake up and it is there when you go to sleep. It only varies in its intensity. 1/4

Autistic Adults Services Autistic people are often infantilized and treated like children. Autistic adults have a hard time accessing services, healthcare, and accommodations because much of society sees autism as a childhood disorder. image: @SensoryStories

Autism and Social Relationships I used to think certain people were my friends, even though the only time they ever communicated with me was when they wanted me to do something for them. It took me a really long time to understand that I wasn't really a friend to them...just a means to an end.

I frequently have to re-read the same paragraph over and over again before it sinks in. It is really frustrating, and makes reading a book take forever. It even happens when I’m listening to an audio book. Do you struggle with this? img: @NoNonsenseND

Yep...about sums it up for me. img credit - @NoNonsenseND

AuDHD for me: Sometimes it feels like my brain has all the CPU it needs and no RAM.

Hot take….autistic adults actually exist. Autistic children actually grow up to become autistic adults. RFK Junior: "I have never in my life seen a man my age with full‑blown autism." The first autistic person diagnosed, Donald Triplett, died at age 89 and worked as a banker.

This t-shirt sums up how some autistics might feel about a social interaction. 😅

If you live in the U.S. please consider contacting your representative and asking them to vote no on the legislation that drastically cuts Medicaid. www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/05/15/h...

A piece I wrote yesterday now live on @thinkingautism.com. #HandsOffMedicaid #Autistic #Autism #NY-11

In a surprise to no one: “Experts call Kennedy’s plan to find autism’s cause unrealistic”. I can’t wait for September when RFK Jr. will let me know why I’m autistic. /s apnews.com/article/auti...

Seriously good news this time. HHS is now saying they will not be creating an autism registry. I’m not opposed to research, but this was not well thought out. And the NIH Council of Councils meeting on 4/21 showed that in spades. autisticadvocacy.org/2025/04/hhs-...

And in other news…”a new disease registry is being launched to track Americans with autism, which will be integrated into the data.” www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...

Poetry helps me to get connected with my feelings. "When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds, cleanses me with its noise, and imposes a rhythm upon everthing in me that is bewildered and confused." --Rainer Maria Rilke

To avoid burnout as an autistic person prioritize self-care, set realistic goals & boundaries, take breaks when needed, and connect with supportive people. Taking care of yourself is NOT selfish!

For older autistics, how have things like sensory issues and anxiety trended for you over the years?

“Autistic people should always be involved in research in a meaningful way and should be listened to at every stage of a project. By doing that, researchers can avoid inadvertently doing research that is either harmful to autistic people, or which misinterprets the findings." 🫠

Sometimes for me Autism can feel like being in an abusive relationship with humanity.

Did you know? Some autistic people can get overwhelmed by ambiguity! Give us clear, step-by-step instructions & make life easier. #AccommodationsMatter

Monty Python has a famous sketch called, "How Not to Be Seen". Some autistics that attend school will learn that to avoid teasing from classmates it is wise to hide and avoid being seen. We learn early on that we are different, just by the way others treat us.

Small talk, something many autistics can't stand. Before I knew I was autistic I wanted to fit in at work, so I forced myself to watch sports I found completely boring, because that's all the guys at work wanted to talk about. Now I'd rather be around people who like the things I'm interested in.

Autistic love languages can look different than NT ones. We like to share experiences, may unmask around people we are comfortable with, do penguin pebbling, share a special interest, stim, or infodump. image credit: @littlepuddins.ie

What are some tasks that take a lot of effort for you to do that seem easy for others? image: ADHD__THINGS

Steve Silberman, author of NeuroTribes, has passed away. Steve’s book was the first thing I read after my diagnosis. We interacted some online. He was a kind and thoughtful person. He will be missed. 💛

Some autistic people find making phone calls extremely stressful and unpleasant and will avoid them at all costs. Please don’t try and force your communication preferences on others. image: anon #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD

After a diagnosis of autism, some autistic people can doubt their diagnosis. Years of internalized ableism, unconscious masking, and doubts from others can contribute to a feeling of being an imposter. Have you ever dealt with it? image: Very Helpful Chats #AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic

An example of how businesses can be supportive to the autistic community is this sign out in front of the toy store “My Small World” located in Bath, England. 💛 Different does not mean less. #ActuallyAutistic image: @DanielUHarrisUK

Are you accident prone? I seem to always have at least one toe that is currently injured from me banging it into a piece of furniture. #AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic photo: @tahreemkhann

Do you form deep connections with animals or do you find them unpredictable and anxiety producing? image: @autism_sketches ko-fi.com/autismsketches #AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD

If you want to find autistic characters in Film or TV, check out autisminthemedia.com #ActuallyAutistic

I’m sorry if I assumed you were autistic, it’s probably because we were getting along okay and I assume anyone I relate to is autistic

I just watched an episode from an old TV show that reminded me of the bullying so many of us go through for being different. And sadly, often from grown adults who should know better. #ActuallyAutistic

I just finished reading this wonderful book with practical day-to-day tips for neurodiverse families called, “How to Raise Happy Neurofabulous Children” by @neurofabulous.bsky.social! So many relatable situations and great practical advice. 💛 #ActuallyAutistic www.neurofabulous.org.uk

Being autistic and ADHD is challenging. Every day you feel your brain pulling you in different directions, from routines to chaos. What are the biggest challenges for you? #AskingAutistics #AskADHD #AuDHD img: u/GorillaS0up

Not too long ago, science believed a single person could not be both autistic and ADHD. Today they think AuDHD brains should be considered a distinct category and will have unique challenges. #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD #ADHD www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/gen...

Autistic folk often have a lot of other stuff they are dealing with. You can think of it as “Autism and…” because that is the reality for most of us. Here is a list of “some” of the more common ones. #ActuallyAutistic

Did you know? Some U.S. states have registries and laws requiring that mental health professionals and physicians register autistic clients. They can be fined, disciplined, or lose their license if they don't report. #ActuallyAutistic image: NDDoH

Our neighbor is getting their roof replaced and the workers are slamming the old tiles into a garbage bin on the ground 😩. TIP If you have in-ear and over-ear noise cancelling devices, you can wear them both at the same time. Works better than 1. #ActuallyAutistic img: anon

I just finished watching the first season of Geek Girl by autistic creator Holly Smale. 💛 Harriet knows she is different, but doesn't yet know the reason why...but we do. 😉 Fingers crossed Netflix has the smarts to quickly green light a season 2. #ActuallyAutistic #GeekGirl #HolySmale

Do you have any clothing routines? I own eight gray plain t-shirts with no tags which I love. I often will just wear them over and over again. #AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD

Anxiety…how often does it affect you? Seems like I can’t go a day without loads of it. #AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic

Do you use subtitles? I'm using them more and more when they are available? It helps me to keep track of what's going on, and I like that I can turn the sound down when it gets overwhelming. #AskingAutistics #AskADHD #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD

I read about a new detailed map of the human brain. As expected, the "normal brains" were contrasted with "disordered" ones and how eventually they might learn "what's wrong" with them. Autistic brains are just different, not "wrong". #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD

Well meaning people, even from news organizations, don’t know much if anything at all about autism. Many still think of autism as a disease. 😞

Do you ever struggle with getting bored with some routines. #AuDHD #ActuallyAutistic #AskingAutistics image: unknown

Parents of autistic children with support needs all have a common question? What will happen to my child after I die? Who will take care of them? And many parents are also autistic. SOCIETY: "Hey...it's all one big crapshoot anyhoo." #ActuallyAutistic youtu.be/XqSYC_vwhDg?...

There are studies that show that autistic people have lower average lifespans? Why? Because of cooccurring conditions, bullying leading to suicidal ideation, poor support systems and economic stability. This needs to change. #AcuallyAutistic

Autistic Sally: I'm autistic, I have to mask really hard to "pass". Bob: But you don't look autistic, you're so high functioning. Autistic Sally: (internally) Did Bob just comment on my "functioning"? #ActuallyAutistic www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wew...

Disney is updating its Disability Access program because they say it is being abused. Their solution? You must get prior approval by using Disney's virtual video chat system to speak with a member of the accessibility team. #ActuallyAutistic www.disabilityscoop.com/2024/04/10/d...

For some autistic people, it can take time when communicating with others. We might need time to process information or to deal with our own social anxiety. Michael Sheen shows the correct response...patience, on the show “The Assembly”. #ActuallyAutistic twitter.com/imogell/stat...