acknowledgingautism

I get you You’re not alone when you think that everyone around you has something better to be doing than listening to your problems – I get you. You’re not alone when you think that you’re wasting everyone’s time. You’re not alone on the sleepless nights or the long walks that have recently become part of your daily routine. Something so integral that keeps you on the right path. You’re not alone when the frustrations of not being able to explain how you're feeling take over – I get you. You’re not alone when the feeling of shame and thoughts of letting people down fill your mind. You’re not alone in the times where you find it really difficult to imagine a future, where you get yourself so worked up about change and not wanting to move on. You’re not alone when a good day can suddenly turn negative and the confusion of not understanding why can leave you angry and upset – I get you. You’re not alone when a situation or circumstance can leave you wishing you were different, wishing...

  Autism and Secondary Education In society we are taught to believe that there is a correct way to develop neurologically, that there’s a right way for our brains to work – the ‘normal’ way. We are taught that any other way of developing is wrong and needs to be treated and fixed. In November 2021, when I was 17 years old, I was diagnosed with autism and although it took a while for me to understand my new diagnosis, I soon realised that it was the best thing to ever happen to me. Finding out that I was autistic brought me an overwhelming sense of relief and suddenly everything in my life up to that point made sense. Just like Liane Holliday Willey says in her book ‘pretending to be normal’, I felt like “I had finally reached the end of my race to be normal. And that was exactly what I needed. A finish – an end to the pretending that had kept me running in circles” for 17 years of my life. Like I’ve mentioned, it took me a while to come to terms with my autism diagnosis, and like ...

  Dear Younger Me Dear younger me,   I know that the world feels like a confusing and, at times, scary place. Right now you're noticing all the pain and darkness in life, but I promise there is so much kindness and light. It will all flood in when you choose to let it - acceptance is key. You're loved. You have always been loved. And loving yourself will come in time and with acceptance; in truth you'll only start learning to do so when you hit age seventeen. Right now things don't make sense, but as life unfolds, so will answers to questions you've had your whole life. Your uniqueness will all make sense in the end. In truth, it won't be until year 13 that things will really start to make sense, but you'll be ok - just keep on being you and you'll be fine. Adulthood and the independence it brings seems distant, yet nerve-racking. I know. It comes to you so quickly, though. Allow yourself to stay an unconcerned child for as long as you can. And ple...