The Autistic Innovator
@ashley.autisticinnovator.com
My name is Ashley Lauren Spencer. Owner of The Autistic Innovator - a store dedicated to supporting the autistic and neurodivergent community since 2021.
autisticinnovator.com
autisticinnovator.com
PSA for autistics/ADHD/neurodivergent:
I've seen so many of these 2 types of chew necklaces and chew sticks. Do NOT chew on these. They are extremely unsafe. 🧵
I've seen so many of these 2 types of chew necklaces and chew sticks. Do NOT chew on these. They are extremely unsafe. 🧵
December 14, 2025 at 5:58 PM
PSA for autistics/ADHD/neurodivergent:
I've seen so many of these 2 types of chew necklaces and chew sticks. Do NOT chew on these. They are extremely unsafe. 🧵
I've seen so many of these 2 types of chew necklaces and chew sticks. Do NOT chew on these. They are extremely unsafe. 🧵
Today is the 5 year anniversary of The Autistic Innovator. The autism blog named The Autistic Innovator launched October 2, 2020. It became a store 10 months later. Half a decade of my life dedicated to supporting our autistic community. The Autistic Innovator is my ❤️ & soul.
October 2, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Today is the 5 year anniversary of The Autistic Innovator. The autism blog named The Autistic Innovator launched October 2, 2020. It became a store 10 months later. Half a decade of my life dedicated to supporting our autistic community. The Autistic Innovator is my ❤️ & soul.
I think our autistic brains can so easily think, "Why should I do it like that just because others do it that way?" We can be rebels at heart. Carve our own paths. Sometimes we choose to stay within society norms, other times we say F it I'm doing it my way.
July 21, 2025 at 12:46 PM
I think our autistic brains can so easily think, "Why should I do it like that just because others do it that way?" We can be rebels at heart. Carve our own paths. Sometimes we choose to stay within society norms, other times we say F it I'm doing it my way.
Spent the last 2 days clicking around my store making small low energy required improvements. Stuck in ADHD wait mode waiting for the day when my hyperactive energy comes back. I get up to a week of ADHD hyperactivity focus, then autistic burnout for an unknown amount of time.
July 17, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Spent the last 2 days clicking around my store making small low energy required improvements. Stuck in ADHD wait mode waiting for the day when my hyperactive energy comes back. I get up to a week of ADHD hyperactivity focus, then autistic burnout for an unknown amount of time.
My energy goes up and down. My ADHD hyperactive brain takes over and I get super productive followed by a crash when the autistic burnout takes over. One of the many reasons I can't survive in the job world. Giving 100% means something different every day.
July 15, 2025 at 1:45 PM
My energy goes up and down. My ADHD hyperactive brain takes over and I get super productive followed by a crash when the autistic burnout takes over. One of the many reasons I can't survive in the job world. Giving 100% means something different every day.
I was a productive machine yesterday. Finally did business things I've been putting off for months. My ADHD hyperactive zone went full force for 3 days. Now followed by the energy crash with a very tired autistic brain.
July 11, 2025 at 6:26 PM
I was a productive machine yesterday. Finally did business things I've been putting off for months. My ADHD hyperactive zone went full force for 3 days. Now followed by the energy crash with a very tired autistic brain.
When I was 12, I would not let myself watch a PG-13 movie because I was not 13 yet. I took the PG-13 rating very literally. My parents said it was okay but I said no I have to be 13. After my 13th birthday, I said okay now I can watch this movie. Somehow the autism was missed.
July 7, 2025 at 11:07 PM
When I was 12, I would not let myself watch a PG-13 movie because I was not 13 yet. I took the PG-13 rating very literally. My parents said it was okay but I said no I have to be 13. After my 13th birthday, I said okay now I can watch this movie. Somehow the autism was missed.
Are there any small makers of fidget toys & fidget jewelry in the USA who would like to sell their fidgets in The Autistic Innovator?
I'm looking to buy fidgets in bulk from creators, makers. You will get full credit and paid upfront.
Please share to help me and fidget toy makers find each other.
I'm looking to buy fidgets in bulk from creators, makers. You will get full credit and paid upfront.
Please share to help me and fidget toy makers find each other.
April 9, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Are there any small makers of fidget toys & fidget jewelry in the USA who would like to sell their fidgets in The Autistic Innovator?
I'm looking to buy fidgets in bulk from creators, makers. You will get full credit and paid upfront.
Please share to help me and fidget toy makers find each other.
I'm looking to buy fidgets in bulk from creators, makers. You will get full credit and paid upfront.
Please share to help me and fidget toy makers find each other.
I'm finally on the perfect balance of ADHD med (and one other med), and wow what a difference it's made. Not a blob on the couch unable to make myself do anything. I just do things. I've been productive today and it was all so easy. Amazing! Thankful for Strattera.
April 6, 2025 at 9:21 PM
I'm finally on the perfect balance of ADHD med (and one other med), and wow what a difference it's made. Not a blob on the couch unable to make myself do anything. I just do things. I've been productive today and it was all so easy. Amazing! Thankful for Strattera.
It looks like Autism Speaks is just a money laundering operation.
2024:
$2.9M in salaries + $4.5M in bonuses. $624k + $52,782 bonus to CEO
$12.8M "other salaries"
2023:
Same CEO $571k salary
2020:
Different CEO $967k salary
Why did they need an almost $1M salary.
Tax free money laundering.
2024:
$2.9M in salaries + $4.5M in bonuses. $624k + $52,782 bonus to CEO
$12.8M "other salaries"
2023:
Same CEO $571k salary
2020:
Different CEO $967k salary
Why did they need an almost $1M salary.
Tax free money laundering.
April 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM
It looks like Autism Speaks is just a money laundering operation.
2024:
$2.9M in salaries + $4.5M in bonuses. $624k + $52,782 bonus to CEO
$12.8M "other salaries"
2023:
Same CEO $571k salary
2020:
Different CEO $967k salary
Why did they need an almost $1M salary.
Tax free money laundering.
2024:
$2.9M in salaries + $4.5M in bonuses. $624k + $52,782 bonus to CEO
$12.8M "other salaries"
2023:
Same CEO $571k salary
2020:
Different CEO $967k salary
Why did they need an almost $1M salary.
Tax free money laundering.
Ah, it's Autism Awareness month when people pretend they care and raise money for an organization that spends donations on exec salaries, and funding tests to see if the child is autistic before it's born so it won't be born.
We need acceptance, not awareness. Happy Autism Acceptance Month.
We need acceptance, not awareness. Happy Autism Acceptance Month.
April 1, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Ah, it's Autism Awareness month when people pretend they care and raise money for an organization that spends donations on exec salaries, and funding tests to see if the child is autistic before it's born so it won't be born.
We need acceptance, not awareness. Happy Autism Acceptance Month.
We need acceptance, not awareness. Happy Autism Acceptance Month.
ADHD tip:
I listened to a book today on ADHD and cleaning. It said set a timer for 10 minutes, clean, and when the timer goes off you stop. Then 10 min daily you'll clean up the overwhelming mess slowly. It's surprising how much can be cleaned in 10 minutes. Easier too!
I listened to a book today on ADHD and cleaning. It said set a timer for 10 minutes, clean, and when the timer goes off you stop. Then 10 min daily you'll clean up the overwhelming mess slowly. It's surprising how much can be cleaned in 10 minutes. Easier too!
March 27, 2025 at 2:01 AM
ADHD tip:
I listened to a book today on ADHD and cleaning. It said set a timer for 10 minutes, clean, and when the timer goes off you stop. Then 10 min daily you'll clean up the overwhelming mess slowly. It's surprising how much can be cleaned in 10 minutes. Easier too!
I listened to a book today on ADHD and cleaning. It said set a timer for 10 minutes, clean, and when the timer goes off you stop. Then 10 min daily you'll clean up the overwhelming mess slowly. It's surprising how much can be cleaned in 10 minutes. Easier too!
Being by myself all the time has taken away my ability to even attempt to mask my autistic traits. I was already really bad at masking no matter how hard I tried, my autistic self was just too obvious. People like me more when I mask, but now I'm just the odd quiet one.
March 26, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Being by myself all the time has taken away my ability to even attempt to mask my autistic traits. I was already really bad at masking no matter how hard I tried, my autistic self was just too obvious. People like me more when I mask, but now I'm just the odd quiet one.
Any autistic/neurodivergent folks on the asexual and/or aromantic spectrum?
I'm not sure if I'm that, or just don't like being around humans. After a lifetime of being bullied for my autistic and ADHD traits, among other things, I stay away from people in person.
I'm not sure if I'm that, or just don't like being around humans. After a lifetime of being bullied for my autistic and ADHD traits, among other things, I stay away from people in person.
March 23, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Any autistic/neurodivergent folks on the asexual and/or aromantic spectrum?
I'm not sure if I'm that, or just don't like being around humans. After a lifetime of being bullied for my autistic and ADHD traits, among other things, I stay away from people in person.
I'm not sure if I'm that, or just don't like being around humans. After a lifetime of being bullied for my autistic and ADHD traits, among other things, I stay away from people in person.
I've been on a mission today to fire off more of the ADHD dopamine.
My mood has been stressed, down, anxious, and just no escape from the trap of negativity in my own mind. It was very low on happy chemicals.
Played new games, worked, listened to music, extra kitty cuddles etc. 🙂
My mood has been stressed, down, anxious, and just no escape from the trap of negativity in my own mind. It was very low on happy chemicals.
Played new games, worked, listened to music, extra kitty cuddles etc. 🙂
March 22, 2025 at 12:15 AM
I've been on a mission today to fire off more of the ADHD dopamine.
My mood has been stressed, down, anxious, and just no escape from the trap of negativity in my own mind. It was very low on happy chemicals.
Played new games, worked, listened to music, extra kitty cuddles etc. 🙂
My mood has been stressed, down, anxious, and just no escape from the trap of negativity in my own mind. It was very low on happy chemicals.
Played new games, worked, listened to music, extra kitty cuddles etc. 🙂
I named my world in the game Fae Farm "World of Autistics". It was the first thing that came to mind 😄
March 20, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I named my world in the game Fae Farm "World of Autistics". It was the first thing that came to mind 😄
Have you ever been told, "You don't look autistic?"
I'm just curious how common it is.
I've never been told that. Guess I have the look and mannerisms.
I'm just curious how common it is.
I've never been told that. Guess I have the look and mannerisms.
March 19, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Have you ever been told, "You don't look autistic?"
I'm just curious how common it is.
I've never been told that. Guess I have the look and mannerisms.
I'm just curious how common it is.
I've never been told that. Guess I have the look and mannerisms.
My biggest stim is drinking carbonated sweet drinks. The sweetness, feeling of the carbonation, and motions of drinking are very satisfying.
I stopped drinking sodas 1.5 months ago to avoid HFCS and food dyes. Only a few Monsters with no dyes and real sugar.
Do you stim drink?
I stopped drinking sodas 1.5 months ago to avoid HFCS and food dyes. Only a few Monsters with no dyes and real sugar.
Do you stim drink?
March 18, 2025 at 4:30 PM
My biggest stim is drinking carbonated sweet drinks. The sweetness, feeling of the carbonation, and motions of drinking are very satisfying.
I stopped drinking sodas 1.5 months ago to avoid HFCS and food dyes. Only a few Monsters with no dyes and real sugar.
Do you stim drink?
I stopped drinking sodas 1.5 months ago to avoid HFCS and food dyes. Only a few Monsters with no dyes and real sugar.
Do you stim drink?
I want to talk more about autism and ADHD and neurodivergent things, and be less boring. My life is being home alone with cats 24/7 running an online store by myself and living my life by rigid routines. I'm in an autistic/neurodivergent bubble and in my own little world.
March 18, 2025 at 3:33 PM
I want to talk more about autism and ADHD and neurodivergent things, and be less boring. My life is being home alone with cats 24/7 running an online store by myself and living my life by rigid routines. I'm in an autistic/neurodivergent bubble and in my own little world.
My cat has stage 3 kidney failure, so my 3 old people cats are eating prescription food. It’s $72 for 24 cans.
I’m cutting back on my own food spending to afford to feed them. I’ve stopped eating candy, chips, and opt for full meals. My cognition is better eating real food. So silver lining.
I’m cutting back on my own food spending to afford to feed them. I’ve stopped eating candy, chips, and opt for full meals. My cognition is better eating real food. So silver lining.
February 22, 2025 at 3:03 PM
My cat has stage 3 kidney failure, so my 3 old people cats are eating prescription food. It’s $72 for 24 cans.
I’m cutting back on my own food spending to afford to feed them. I’ve stopped eating candy, chips, and opt for full meals. My cognition is better eating real food. So silver lining.
I’m cutting back on my own food spending to afford to feed them. I’ve stopped eating candy, chips, and opt for full meals. My cognition is better eating real food. So silver lining.
I’ve been watching the old show I Dream of Jeannie every night. In 4th grade (1994) I was obsessed with that show. Even got a Halloween costume custom made exactly like hers. I haven’t seen the show since then, so watching it now makes my inner child very happy.
February 22, 2025 at 1:02 AM
I’ve been watching the old show I Dream of Jeannie every night. In 4th grade (1994) I was obsessed with that show. Even got a Halloween costume custom made exactly like hers. I haven’t seen the show since then, so watching it now makes my inner child very happy.
I created this account in 2023 and haven’t made many posts since then. Somehow 1.1k people follow me. So hello everyone! 🙂👋 I’ll try to be on here more.
February 21, 2025 at 11:56 PM
I created this account in 2023 and haven’t made many posts since then. Somehow 1.1k people follow me. So hello everyone! 🙂👋 I’ll try to be on here more.
I think diet has a lot to do with why I struggle so much with cognition.
Yesterday for the first time no candy, no food dyes, no snack foods, no cookies, just full meals with substance every few hours all day.
My brain was clear, fast, energetic, polar opposite of my normal. 🤔
Yesterday for the first time no candy, no food dyes, no snack foods, no cookies, just full meals with substance every few hours all day.
My brain was clear, fast, energetic, polar opposite of my normal. 🤔
February 17, 2025 at 3:11 PM
I think diet has a lot to do with why I struggle so much with cognition.
Yesterday for the first time no candy, no food dyes, no snack foods, no cookies, just full meals with substance every few hours all day.
My brain was clear, fast, energetic, polar opposite of my normal. 🤔
Yesterday for the first time no candy, no food dyes, no snack foods, no cookies, just full meals with substance every few hours all day.
My brain was clear, fast, energetic, polar opposite of my normal. 🤔
When you need caffeine to work so you can wake up, but you have ADHD so it just sedates you and makes you take a nap instead.
Coffee + energy drink later, I’m sleepier now than I was when I woke up. The stimulant effect curse.
Coffee + energy drink later, I’m sleepier now than I was when I woke up. The stimulant effect curse.
February 8, 2025 at 2:53 PM
When you need caffeine to work so you can wake up, but you have ADHD so it just sedates you and makes you take a nap instead.
Coffee + energy drink later, I’m sleepier now than I was when I woke up. The stimulant effect curse.
Coffee + energy drink later, I’m sleepier now than I was when I woke up. The stimulant effect curse.
It’s been over a year since I’ve had human physical contact. Only kitty affection and kitty cuddles.
My autistic senses get easily overloaded by human touch. It’s been a relief going without it. Year went by and didn’t even notice.
My autistic senses get easily overloaded by human touch. It’s been a relief going without it. Year went by and didn’t even notice.
February 8, 2025 at 2:05 PM
It’s been over a year since I’ve had human physical contact. Only kitty affection and kitty cuddles.
My autistic senses get easily overloaded by human touch. It’s been a relief going without it. Year went by and didn’t even notice.
My autistic senses get easily overloaded by human touch. It’s been a relief going without it. Year went by and didn’t even notice.