Autistic and Living the Dream

Category: Blog

  • Arguing in a room by myself

    Arguing in a room by myself

    Something I’ve been working on for a while and it’s a habit that is really hard to kick – not taking questions from others as them being antagonistic or belittling me. This is hard as it has been my experience since I was little. I have always had someone devaluing what I say, being dismissive…

  • Trans and Autistic: the importance of online groups

    Trans and Autistic: the importance of online groups

    The internet has become a place in which transgender+ Autistic people can gain access to resources, ideas and language to describe our gender and neurological identities. Using online support groups allows me to find out more about myself and how I relate to others as a late diagnosed Autistic gender divergent person. Having safe spaces…

  • Trans and Autistic: supporting gender diverse Autistic students

    Trans and Autistic: supporting gender diverse Autistic students

    Living at the intersection of trans and Autistic identities is a unique and insightful experience, however many of us who occupy this space have difficulty in gaining support within educational settings. Many of us find it difficult to find teaching staff who are both knowledgeable about, and affirming to, Autistic and transgender experiences. Those who…

  • Prisoner of the bodymind

    Prisoner of the bodymind

    Sharpened senses,mind wanders, skin crawls,Overwhelmed, understimulated,hyperactively stalled. Collapsed, burnt out, no sleep, joint pain,same food, medication, migraine again. Inertia, inhaler to breathe a bit,inactive, hysterical and still feel like shit. ‘lazy’, ‘crazy’, ‘stupid’, ‘mad’, just heat sensitive and seasonally sad. A jumble, a mess, a dumpster on fire.Living my truth whilst called a liar. Sharpened senses, mind wanders, skin…

  • Trans and Autistic: Where do I belong?

    Trans and Autistic: Where do I belong?

    Group membership and a sense of belonging can improve the physical and emotional wellbeing of gender diverse Autistic people. However, there remains real risks of transphobia within queer spaces. At the 2018 London Pride march which was infiltrated by a small group of anti-trans protesters. These protesters made disparaging remarks about transwomen and shared literature…

  • Technological capitalism trundles on

    Technological capitalism trundles on

    I’ve now been asked to make a profile / have an app for my dentist, GP and Pharmacy. I don’t understand how to do this and I don’t want to. I used to have a GP online portal thing and then it changed and I got locked out. Back to phoning my GP 82 times…

  • What does the DSM say about ADHD?

    What does the DSM say about ADHD?

    The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM) is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and is used to classify cognitive differences. It covers many different neurotypes and mental health issues including schizophrenia, bi-polar, gender dysphoria, and autism. It is used across the USA and UK and anyone who has been formerly diagnosed…

  • Under construction

    Under construction

    I haven’t written poetry since I was a teen, it used to help me when words came to me in less conventional ways. I’m excited to start with that side of writing again.

  • Counterculture: Autistic shielding and neuro-anarchy

    Counterculture: Autistic shielding and neuro-anarchy

    “There are several aspects to neuro-anarchy and several ways it can be engaged with consciously and unconsciously, it is a big part of Autistic shielding, especially the conscious choice to engage in counterculture and culture which sits on the outskirts of counterculture itself.”

  • ADHD isn’t a mental health condition

    ADHD isn’t a mental health condition

    I’ve seen lots of misinformed people call ADHD a mental health condition. This is inaccurate and harmful for many reasons. First, ADHD is a neurotype. Just another type of bodymind. Hyperactive? Yes. Impulsive? Maybe. Disorganised? Sure. But never a ‘disorder’ as far as I’m concerned. I’m getting on reasonably well with my particular brand of…