Autistic and Living the Dream

Tag: ADHD

  • The chaotic mind

    The chaotic mind

    I am Autistic, Attention Hyperactive (see Ditching the Disorder and Deficit) and OCD, that means there is a lot of chaos within me. As an Autistic person I love routine, I thrive when I go to the same places, eat the same food and wear the same clothes. It erases so much anxiety around the unknown.…

  • Autistic and ADHD: Who’s driving this car!?

    Autistic and ADHD: Who’s driving this car!?

    Being Autistic and ADHD, I am in a constant struggle to keep both of these elements of myself content, and sometimes, under control. They’re like young siblings, sometimes they love each other and play along nicely, and the rest of the time it’s pure chaos. My Autistic self wants routine, to eat the same foods…

  • Hyper-organised or ADHD?

    Hyper-organised or ADHD?

    I always thought “there’s no way that I’m ADHD – I’m too organised!” I turn up on time for everything, actually I turn up early for everything (well I did the first 30 years of my life before having my son!). I’ve got everything written down. I’ve got lists about lists, post-its and planners. At…

  • I won’t apologise for my neurotype

    I won’t apologise for my neurotype

    I will apologise for things I’ve done wrong and I’ll do my best to grow and change with whatever new information I’ve been graced with. I don’t know everything, I’m not perfect and life is bloody hard. So I try not to be so hard on myself. There is one thing I absolutely will not…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Attention hyperactivity: ditching the ‘disorder’ and ‘deficit’

    Attention hyperactivity: ditching the ‘disorder’ and ‘deficit’

    I only recently came to the conclusion that I am ADHD. There are so many reasons why this has only occurred to me at the blessed age of 31, and most of them are due to word usage. Attention deficit: I only experience a deficit of attention when something is particularly boring! I am noinattentive…