Remarkable and remouldable as it is, I'm not sure a human brain has the capacity to accommodate such a fundamental redefinition of itself after so long in another mode. Not quickly, anyway, maybe not fully, and certainly not both.
I was offered the #autism workshop as something to help me stay afloat until I could get psychotherapy to fix my sinking boat. So that's all worked out splendidly.
Just been told I'm not currently eligible for #NHS psychotherapy (to help me come to terms with decades of living with undiagnosed #AuDHD) because I did a post-diagnosis #autism workshop (to help me live day-to-day as a late-diagnosed autistic).
Easter buns that look like little bird nests with five coloured eggs in them. The nest is made from dismantled Shredded Wheat covered in melted chocolate and then formed to shape. The eggs are mini chocolate eggs.
Just had a flashback to me (undiagnosed autistic child with texture-based food aversions) getting told off for not eating the Easter buns that all the other kids were scoffing.
"Can't you just enjoy things like everyone else? Stop attention-seeking."
I just didn't like Shredded Wheat. Still don't.
I am sorry to hear that. What type of depression do you have? (My depression is non-bipolar.)
One effect from my #LateDiagnosis of #AuDHD that I hadn't expected: having spent all my life hating myself for not being 'normal' enough, I now find myself also feeling guilty for not being #autistic enough AND for not thriving as a #neurodivergent person.
Complicated business, this life thing.
I feel more able to look after myself by identifying unpleasant noises, smells, lights, etc, and moving away. Before, I would have wondered why I was feeling distressed, sat as quietly still as possible so nobody noticed, and hated myself for feeling bad when no-one else seemed to have a problem.
I'm sorry you're having a tough time of it. I recognise those symptoms, but only because I've had some help getting to grips with alexithymia! It is some solace to know that lifelong physical, mental and social problems are real, with a cause, rather than weakness or attention-seeking. But not much.
A bit of a shock, yes! I feel lucky and grateful to have found the ND communities over on Mastodon and then also here on Bluesky. I'm not very active on either, but I lurk a bit and learn a lot. All help and advice welcomed and appreciated!
I was diagnosed #AuDHD exactly one year ago - and I'm still a bit bewildered! Still have lots of questions, and I suspect many won't have nice, happy, yay-for-neurodivergence answers. But I am starting to accept that my AuDHDness is real, not theoretical or misdiagnosed. Build from there, I guess?
Ach. That sounds a bit worrying. Hang on today, by your fingertips if needs be. Try again tomorrow. x
I got to stroke two friendly #PubDogs today. I was so happy it didn't even occur to me to take pictures, but both of them were fuzzy-haired fussmonsters. I am a lucky boy sometimes. #NameYourBlessings #Dogs
But boring answer: Depends.
Had I known a year or two earlier? Not much difference, but I'd be further along now.
10, 20, 30 years earlier? Spared me and others a lot of hurt.
As a kid? I'd be a different person now, and had a wholly different life, so I can't even fathom how to answer the question.
I wouldn't have spent decades (unwittingly) trying to cure my autism with anti-depressants/booze.
I hope I would have developed better awareness of how different I am when I mask vs when I don't, and thus could have actively managed the +/- effects of my masked/unmasked behaviour on me and others.
I don't know if I invented a new thing. But I fooked up some perfectly good gravy, is what I did. I mean, look at it. It's got ribbons of semi-solid batter in it. (I put it in a tupperware thingy, in hope that when I take it out of the fridge tomorrow it will have magically become Something Good.)
Have you ever looked at a lovely bubbling pan of gravy, and wondered: Would this be even better if we added Yorkshire-pudding batter?
Wonder no more! Thanks to your friendly neighbourhood dyspraxic (ie, me), this experiment was (accidentally) carried out today.
Conclusion: No. No it would not.
Sometimes a service is a pleasure.
Oh, that rogue s is going to haunt me. Oh.
Friends fear he's been collating the Christmas chocolates again.
#ActuallyAutistics
What's that? There's a glut of Xmas leftovers, so I have to eat more or less the same thing every meal for days on end?
Don't threaten me with an autistic good time!
#ActuallyAutistic
Thank you! Peace, love and happy times to you and yours. x
Thank you!
Honestly, why doesn't everyone do this every year? Seems like lots of neurotypicals would enjoy #ChristmasDay better this way.
My first #Christmas as an officially diagnosed #Autistic person with #ADHD.
People are being nice. Leaving me to my own devices, not insisting I spend all day with them. I'm popping in to socialise with the group when I feel able, then nipping out before I overdo it.
#BIPOC voices are often missing from autistic spaces, so here is a BIPOC starter pack! 😊
go.bsky.app/TtXfpAt
#racialequality #antiracism
The image of autism as “only white boys” leads to underdiagnosis, discrimination & isolation for many
Our autistic community is much more diverse than that! ❤️
A television showing the title screen from the film '#Elf'. On the desk in front of it is a copy of 'Heavy Weather' by #PGWodehouse, and an open tub of #CadburysCelebrations. The chocolates lay higgledy-piggledy and unsorted in the tub. The light is cold.
A television showing the film '#Elf', paused to capture #ZooeyDeschanel in close up. She has big blue eyes, pale skin and blonde hair peeping out from beneath her cream woolly hat. She is also wearing a scarf. Sigh... On the desk in front of the screen is a copy of 'Jolly Festive Jeeves' by #PGWoodhouse, with an xmas-red cover and gold-foil lettering. Next to it is an open tub of #CadburysCelebrations. The chocolates have been sorted by type into tidy sections. The light is warm, and glinting off the foil sweet wrappers. Behind the screen, a plant has been festooned with tinsel and red fairy lights.
Spot the difference!
Each year (for the best part of 20 years), a couple of Sundays before #XmasDay, I watch #Elf, sigh at #ZooeyDeschanel, and tidy/organise/categorise a #Christmas tub of chocolates.
How did nobody ever notice I was #autistic until nine months ago? Hehe.
Thank you, from the middle of England. 👍
Batalo looks like a happy, well fed moggy!