Reposted
Please know that if the underlying, distressing, issue is never addressed, then the autistic person is not only still upset, but is being punished—or having rewards taken away, for being in distress. That is an unfair and horrible way to live. 2/
Autism Checklist of DOOM
Our autism checklist of doom is meant to help people the kinds of things that may upset an autistic person, ones that aren't always obvious.
thinkingautismguide.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Please know that if the underlying, distressing, issue is never addressed, then the autistic person is not only still upset, but is being punished—or having rewards taken away, for being in distress. That is an unfair and horrible way to live. 2/
Reposted
Here are some avoidable issues that may upset autistic people to the point of self-injury or aggression, yet parents or caregivers might be told such behavior is “just autism,” or that the autistic person needs behavioral conditioning therapy. At TPGA:
thinkingautismguide.com/2022/01/auti... 1/
thinkingautismguide.com/2022/01/auti... 1/
Autism Checklist of DOOM
Our autism checklist of doom is meant to help people the kinds of things that may upset an autistic person, ones that aren't always obvious.
thinkingautismguide.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Here are some avoidable issues that may upset autistic people to the point of self-injury or aggression, yet parents or caregivers might be told such behavior is “just autism,” or that the autistic person needs behavioral conditioning therapy. At TPGA:
thinkingautismguide.com/2022/01/auti... 1/
thinkingautismguide.com/2022/01/auti... 1/
Reposted
Supporting neurodivergent communities means taking our accommodations seriously, even if you don't understand them.
By all means, it's okay to learn more and try to understand, but your understanding and comfort isn't necessary for making my world more accessible to me
By all means, it's okay to learn more and try to understand, but your understanding and comfort isn't necessary for making my world more accessible to me
November 26, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Supporting neurodivergent communities means taking our accommodations seriously, even if you don't understand them.
By all means, it's okay to learn more and try to understand, but your understanding and comfort isn't necessary for making my world more accessible to me
By all means, it's okay to learn more and try to understand, but your understanding and comfort isn't necessary for making my world more accessible to me
Reposted
Reposted
The witch made him hot chocolate.
"They say I'm strong," he said. "And I am."
He took a sip.
"They say I can overcome any hardship."
"Mm," said the witch.
"And I can. I do."
The witch said nothing.
"But I shouldn't have to!"
"No."
The witch held the hero as he wept.
"No, you shouldn't."
"They say I'm strong," he said. "And I am."
He took a sip.
"They say I can overcome any hardship."
"Mm," said the witch.
"And I can. I do."
The witch said nothing.
"But I shouldn't have to!"
"No."
The witch held the hero as he wept.
"No, you shouldn't."
November 18, 2025 at 7:50 PM
The witch made him hot chocolate.
"They say I'm strong," he said. "And I am."
He took a sip.
"They say I can overcome any hardship."
"Mm," said the witch.
"And I can. I do."
The witch said nothing.
"But I shouldn't have to!"
"No."
The witch held the hero as he wept.
"No, you shouldn't."
"They say I'm strong," he said. "And I am."
He took a sip.
"They say I can overcome any hardship."
"Mm," said the witch.
"And I can. I do."
The witch said nothing.
"But I shouldn't have to!"
"No."
The witch held the hero as he wept.
"No, you shouldn't."
Reposted
What many people mean by "tough love" has nothing to do w/ realistic problem solving or effective life strategizing-- they're just trying to bypass the actual work of recovery, which requires self-acceptance & self-compassion in the service of sustainable, incremental change.
November 10, 2025 at 11:32 AM
What many people mean by "tough love" has nothing to do w/ realistic problem solving or effective life strategizing-- they're just trying to bypass the actual work of recovery, which requires self-acceptance & self-compassion in the service of sustainable, incremental change.
Reposted
"Suck it up" is not a trauma recovery strategy. Saying variations of "suck it up," though, is a strategy of certain people to make you feel like garbage & distract you from effective, realistic, self-compassionate recovery strategies.
November 9, 2025 at 10:02 PM
"Suck it up" is not a trauma recovery strategy. Saying variations of "suck it up," though, is a strategy of certain people to make you feel like garbage & distract you from effective, realistic, self-compassionate recovery strategies.
Reposted
Safe people know how to handle hearing "no" without losing their sh*t & pivoting to emotional abuse.
No exceptions.
No exceptions.
November 9, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Safe people know how to handle hearing "no" without losing their sh*t & pivoting to emotional abuse.
No exceptions.
No exceptions.
Reposted
Before we can talk about & process our feelings & experiences in trauma recovery, we often have to wrestle w/ this overwhelming fear of being seen. Survivors learned to be seen is to be vulnerable.
We can't just "let go" of that fear-- we have to meet it w/ respect & patience.
We can't just "let go" of that fear-- we have to meet it w/ respect & patience.
November 6, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Before we can talk about & process our feelings & experiences in trauma recovery, we often have to wrestle w/ this overwhelming fear of being seen. Survivors learned to be seen is to be vulnerable.
We can't just "let go" of that fear-- we have to meet it w/ respect & patience.
We can't just "let go" of that fear-- we have to meet it w/ respect & patience.
Reposted
Let's be clear, this happens because of what people tend to assume about autistic people in the first place.
There's an assumption that autistic people aren't intelligent or struggle with skills understood to be core to intelligence. This isn't universal (or even generally) true
There's an assumption that autistic people aren't intelligent or struggle with skills understood to be core to intelligence. This isn't universal (or even generally) true
November 4, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Let's be clear, this happens because of what people tend to assume about autistic people in the first place.
There's an assumption that autistic people aren't intelligent or struggle with skills understood to be core to intelligence. This isn't universal (or even generally) true
There's an assumption that autistic people aren't intelligent or struggle with skills understood to be core to intelligence. This isn't universal (or even generally) true
Reposted
Being intellectually gifted can make it harder for others to notice, validate, or support our autistic experience.
This has particularly big implications when those people who don't see or support us are the very family members or professionals tasked with doing exactly that
This has particularly big implications when those people who don't see or support us are the very family members or professionals tasked with doing exactly that
November 4, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Being intellectually gifted can make it harder for others to notice, validate, or support our autistic experience.
This has particularly big implications when those people who don't see or support us are the very family members or professionals tasked with doing exactly that
This has particularly big implications when those people who don't see or support us are the very family members or professionals tasked with doing exactly that
Reposted
Our self-concept & self-esteem-- who & how worthy we believe ourselves to be-- was not formed by whether our parents felt love toward us. It was formed by how they expressed & otherwise operationalized that love.
"Love" the feeling needs to translate to "love" the verb.
"Love" the feeling needs to translate to "love" the verb.
November 3, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Our self-concept & self-esteem-- who & how worthy we believe ourselves to be-- was not formed by whether our parents felt love toward us. It was formed by how they expressed & otherwise operationalized that love.
"Love" the feeling needs to translate to "love" the verb.
"Love" the feeling needs to translate to "love" the verb.
Reposted
There is no shame in needing caregivers or medical providers w/ specialized knowledge & experience. You need what you need. You didn't ask for or "choose" your specific needs or vulnerabilities, & you are not a "failure" for requiring care that not everybody else does.
Remember.
Remember.
October 31, 2025 at 12:13 AM
There is no shame in needing caregivers or medical providers w/ specialized knowledge & experience. You need what you need. You didn't ask for or "choose" your specific needs or vulnerabilities, & you are not a "failure" for requiring care that not everybody else does.
Remember.
Remember.
Reposted
Just because it works for neurotypicals doesn't mean it's going to work for neurodivergent folks,
HOWEVER!
just because it works for neurotypical doesn't mean it WON'T work for neurodivergent folks!
Try as many strategies as you can; keep the ones that work, modify or get rid of the rest
HOWEVER!
just because it works for neurotypical doesn't mean it WON'T work for neurodivergent folks!
Try as many strategies as you can; keep the ones that work, modify or get rid of the rest
October 26, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Just because it works for neurotypicals doesn't mean it's going to work for neurodivergent folks,
HOWEVER!
just because it works for neurotypical doesn't mean it WON'T work for neurodivergent folks!
Try as many strategies as you can; keep the ones that work, modify or get rid of the rest
HOWEVER!
just because it works for neurotypical doesn't mean it WON'T work for neurodivergent folks!
Try as many strategies as you can; keep the ones that work, modify or get rid of the rest
Reposted
Trauma conditioning convinces us we don't have the "right" to want a different life-- that we have to settle or be "grateful" for what we have.
My ass, we don't have the "right." We get to prefer something different, & to work toward it.
That is not "entitled" or "naive'."
My ass, we don't have the "right." We get to prefer something different, & to work toward it.
That is not "entitled" or "naive'."
October 26, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Trauma conditioning convinces us we don't have the "right" to want a different life-- that we have to settle or be "grateful" for what we have.
My ass, we don't have the "right." We get to prefer something different, & to work toward it.
That is not "entitled" or "naive'."
My ass, we don't have the "right." We get to prefer something different, & to work toward it.
That is not "entitled" or "naive'."
Reposted
How can autistic people recover from short-turn autistic burnout? @mx-joyner.bsky.social has very specific, tried-and-true strategies that might help you or your autistic loved one, at TPGA (and yes this includes kids and adults with high support needs).
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/10/we-g...
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/10/we-g...
We. Get. Tired! Recovering From Situational Autistic Burnout — THINKING PERSON'S GUIDE TO AUTISM
Parents need to know that autistic kids get TIRED. We autistics need rest, more frequently and in greater durations than non-autistic people.
thinkingautismguide.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:19 PM
How can autistic people recover from short-turn autistic burnout? @mx-joyner.bsky.social has very specific, tried-and-true strategies that might help you or your autistic loved one, at TPGA (and yes this includes kids and adults with high support needs).
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/10/we-g...
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/10/we-g...
Reposted
Something you're going to notice as you work your trauma recovery: being reflexively silent because you're intimidated or in a "freeze" response feels very different than choosing silence because you're opting out of a toxic exchange that doesn't support your recovery.
October 25, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Something you're going to notice as you work your trauma recovery: being reflexively silent because you're intimidated or in a "freeze" response feels very different than choosing silence because you're opting out of a toxic exchange that doesn't support your recovery.
Reposted
You need to know that stretches of "this sucks" & "I suck" & "this is impossible" & "it's not worth it" are normal parts of trauma recovery that every survivor experiences.
Don't overreact. Just meet it all w/ compassion, patience, & acceptance, & focus on the next choice point.
Don't overreact. Just meet it all w/ compassion, patience, & acceptance, & focus on the next choice point.
October 24, 2025 at 11:33 PM
You need to know that stretches of "this sucks" & "I suck" & "this is impossible" & "it's not worth it" are normal parts of trauma recovery that every survivor experiences.
Don't overreact. Just meet it all w/ compassion, patience, & acceptance, & focus on the next choice point.
Don't overreact. Just meet it all w/ compassion, patience, & acceptance, & focus on the next choice point.
Reposted
We can affirm & validate ourselves-- but we also have to find effective ways to cope w/ the fact that others disapproving of us, or even potentially rejecting us, feels sh*tty.
Affirming our worth is essential-- but it doesn't automatically manage negative feelings.
Affirming our worth is essential-- but it doesn't automatically manage negative feelings.
October 23, 2025 at 8:52 PM
We can affirm & validate ourselves-- but we also have to find effective ways to cope w/ the fact that others disapproving of us, or even potentially rejecting us, feels sh*tty.
Affirming our worth is essential-- but it doesn't automatically manage negative feelings.
Affirming our worth is essential-- but it doesn't automatically manage negative feelings.
Reposted
What is autistic burnout like? When a computer goes into safe mode, "that would describe what happens to the brain: it runs on limited function, not all services are available, & its access to the Internet denied & unable to connect." @kieranrose.bsky.social:
thinkingautismguide.com/2018/05/an-a...
thinkingautismguide.com/2018/05/an-a...
An Autistic Burnout — THINKING PERSON'S GUIDE TO AUTISM
The sad truth is that so many Autistic people—kids & adults—go through autistic burnout with zero comprehension of what is happening to them.
thinkingautismguide.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:37 PM
What is autistic burnout like? When a computer goes into safe mode, "that would describe what happens to the brain: it runs on limited function, not all services are available, & its access to the Internet denied & unable to connect." @kieranrose.bsky.social:
thinkingautismguide.com/2018/05/an-a...
thinkingautismguide.com/2018/05/an-a...
Reposted
Things we can change: Too many autistic people learn—often quite early in life—that they have no choice other than to submit to discomforts, and also people in their lives may not even register or believe that their distress is real. At TPGA:
thinkingautismguide.com/2022/01/auti... #neurodiversity
thinkingautismguide.com/2022/01/auti... #neurodiversity
Autism Checklist of DOOM
Our autism checklist of doom is meant to help people the kinds of things that may upset an autistic person, ones that aren't always obvious.
thinkingautismguide.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Things we can change: Too many autistic people learn—often quite early in life—that they have no choice other than to submit to discomforts, and also people in their lives may not even register or believe that their distress is real. At TPGA:
thinkingautismguide.com/2022/01/auti... #neurodiversity
thinkingautismguide.com/2022/01/auti... #neurodiversity
Reposted
Trying to make you understand how it feels is too hard. Just judge me.
October 22, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Trying to make you understand how it feels is too hard. Just judge me.
Reposted
Why ABA Can Never Be Trauma-Informed: "Suppressing outward signs of distress does not equal safety. In fact, it deepens trauma. Children learn that their bodies’ survival signals are wrong and must be ignored in order to receive approval." @endseclusion.bsky.social:
endseclusion.org/2025/10/20/w...
endseclusion.org/2025/10/20/w...
Why ABA Can Never Be Trauma-Informed: Not now. Not ever.
Lately, I've seen more and more programs advertising something they call "trauma-informed ABA." On the surface, it sounds hopeful. After all, who wouldn't want therapies to be gentler, safer, and more...
endseclusion.org
October 22, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Why ABA Can Never Be Trauma-Informed: "Suppressing outward signs of distress does not equal safety. In fact, it deepens trauma. Children learn that their bodies’ survival signals are wrong and must be ignored in order to receive approval." @endseclusion.bsky.social:
endseclusion.org/2025/10/20/w...
endseclusion.org/2025/10/20/w...
Reposted
If night time is a trigger for you-- as it is for me, & lots of other trauma survivors-- have a strategy for how to handle what comes up at night. Do not try to just vibe your way through.
Your "parts" & inner child need more from us as the sun goes down.
Your "parts" & inner child need more from us as the sun goes down.
October 20, 2025 at 11:13 PM
If night time is a trigger for you-- as it is for me, & lots of other trauma survivors-- have a strategy for how to handle what comes up at night. Do not try to just vibe your way through.
Your "parts" & inner child need more from us as the sun goes down.
Your "parts" & inner child need more from us as the sun goes down.