The Blog
How to Talk to Family Members Who Dismiss Your Diagnosis or Self-Identification
Many neurodivergent individuals face dismissal from family members when sharing their diagnosis or self-identification, often due to misinformation, internalized ableism, or cultural stigma. This article explores strategies for navigating these conversations, including providing factual information, setting firm boundaries, and recognizing when disengagement is necessary for self-preservation. Ultimately, seeking validation from supportive communities and embracing self-acceptance can be more empowering than trying to change the minds of unwilling family members.
The Role of Identity in the Autistic Experience: Why Finding a Label Can Be Life-Changing
Finding and embracing an autistic identity can be a transformative experience, providing clarity, self-acceptance, and a sense of belonging, whether through formal diagnosis or self-identification. Many autistic individuals face barriers to diagnosis and validation, making community connections and self-advocacy essential in navigating identity development. Understanding autism as an integral part of oneself can improve mental health, reduce masking, and allow individuals to redefine success on their own terms.
Parenting an AuDHD Child When You’re AuDHD Yourself
Parenting as an AuDHD individual presents unique challenges, including executive dysfunction, emotional dysregulation, sensory sensitivities, and communication differences, which can be amplified when raising an AuDHD child. By embracing neurodiversity-affirming strategies, such as flexible routines, sensory-friendly environments, alternative communication methods, and self-care, parents can create a supportive and sustainable home life. Focusing on collaboration, understanding, and mutual regulation rather than traditional parenting norms allows both parent and child to thrive in a way that honors their shared neurodivergence.
How to Self-Advocate When You’re Autistic, ADHD, or Both
Self-advocacy for autistic and ADHD individuals involves understanding personal needs, communicating them effectively, and setting boundaries to ensure well-being in work, education, healthcare, and relationships. This guide provides strategies for requesting accommodations, navigating difficult conversations, and asserting needs without burnout, emphasizing persistence, self-preservation, and community support. It also includes social stories and example scripts to help neurodivergent individuals confidently advocate for themselves in various real-life scenarios.
How to Build a Personalized Sensory Kit for Everyday Life
Neurodivergent individuals, particularly those who are autistic or have ADHD, face a significantly higher risk of suicide due to systemic barriers, social isolation, chronic masking, and a lack of adequate mental health support. Many struggle with rejection, burnout, trauma, and unmet support needs, leading to overwhelming distress that often goes unrecognized by traditional suicide prevention efforts. Addressing this crisis requires neurodivergent-specific crisis care, accessible mental health resources, and inclusive environments where individuals can unmask safely and receive the support they deserve.
Why Are Neurodivergent People at Higher Risk for Suicide?
Neurodivergent individuals, particularly those who are autistic or have ADHD, face a significantly higher risk of suicide due to systemic barriers, social isolation, chronic masking, and a lack of adequate mental health support. Many struggle with rejection, burnout, trauma, and unmet support needs, leading to overwhelming distress that often goes unrecognized by traditional suicide prevention efforts. Addressing this crisis requires neurodivergent-specific crisis care, accessible mental health resources, and inclusive environments where individuals can unmask safely and receive the support they deserve.
The Cost of Masking: Why Autistic Adults Struggle with Burnout
Autistic masking—the suppression of natural traits to conform to neurotypical expectations—leads to chronic stress, exhaustion, and ultimately autistic burnout, which manifests as cognitive shutdown, increased sensory sensitivities, and loss of executive function. This burnout is caused by the constant mental effort of masking, social pressures, and the fear of rejection, often leading to long-term physical and mental health struggles. Recovery involves reducing masking where possible, setting boundaries, engaging in sensory regulation, and seeking support from neurodivergent-affirming communities.
The Reality of Parental Estrangement Among Autistic Adults
Autistic adults experience higher rates of parental estrangement due to childhood trauma, forced masking, ableism, and a lack of familial understanding or acceptance. Many face rejection when setting boundaries, unmasking, or receiving a late diagnosis, leading to emotional distress and the difficult choice of distancing themselves for self-preservation. While estrangement can be painful, healing is possible through community support, chosen family, and reclaiming autonomy in relationships.
What It Really Means to Be AuDHD (Autistic & ADHD)
AuDHD, the intersection of autism and ADHD, combines traits that can sometimes amplify or contradict each other, affecting focus, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and social interaction. Individuals may experience both hyperfocus and distractibility, sensory sensitivity alongside sensory-seeking behaviors, and intense emotions that are difficult to process. Navigating these challenges requires tailored strategies, including task chunking, sensory regulation tools, emotional check-ins, and self-advocacy, while also recognizing the strengths of deep thinking, creativity, and resilience.