Mi'sen

I find it helpful to face the outside world with a backpack that prepares me for anything. Noise cancelling headphones or ear defenders, dark glasses & anything else I might need or which might comfort me, like little stim toys or soft fabrics #ActuallyAutistic

For non-verbal episodes it’s very helpful to have a system of pictures to point to, or even some sort of sign language (even if it’s a made up one) or signals between you & your #ActuallyAutistic loved one. Anything that helps us make ourselves understood without having to talk.

Sometimes during a meltdown we can yell things we don’t mean. Please try to resist engaging with it on an argumentative level, it will only prolong and exacerbate things. A thick skin is needed sometimes to deal with this but I promise we are worth it #ActuallyAutistic

#ActuallyAutistic people are often great at noticing patterns & outside-the-box stuff others don’t. That’s why we’re great assets in the workplace. In a writers’ room I’m often the one who notices themes in seemingly disparate ideas or plot holes & finds creative fixes.

A great point by @ZebraW2015 - changing a routine can be really hard for #ActuallyAutistic people. Switching between tasks, transitions, even what appears to be a small change, causes anxiety / panic & should be done with lots of prep & explanations (visual timetables can help).

Many #ActuallyAutistic people find things do not come out how they intended. My tone of voice is often misread, I might talk too loudly or softly, or a train of thought might lead me to say something clumsy when I meant to say something totally different.

Coming back to our vivid imaginations - it can be a blessing & a curse. I have had profoundly meaningful relationships that have played out entirely in my mind. That can make things very difficult & disappointing when reality intervenes! #ActuallyAutistic

It can take a lot for an #ActuallyAutistic person to socialise, so if we’re expecting to just see you, or people we already know, try not to impose an unexpected new person on us, or check if we’re up for socialising with someone new / warn us first.