Rachel
@rachelneedsanap.bsky.social
Religious Studies & Hebrew Bible PhD student📚/Jewish✡️/ADHD & Autistic🎧/Myth & Religion Nerd🏺/Recovering Attorney ⚖️/Perpetually Sleepy💤
(she/her)
(she/her)
Pinned
Rachel
@rachelneedsanap.bsky.social
· Oct 18
A little about me:
I’m an #Autistic #PhD student in #ReligiousStudies, researching myth & ritual in the Hebrew Bible. I was an attorney for 10yrs, until I hit autistic burnout & decided to build a new career around my special interests in myth & religion. Nice to meet you all!
I’m an #Autistic #PhD student in #ReligiousStudies, researching myth & ritual in the Hebrew Bible. I was an attorney for 10yrs, until I hit autistic burnout & decided to build a new career around my special interests in myth & religion. Nice to meet you all!
Reposted by Rachel
They are 'accepting' of my autism right up until I'm in desperate need of alone time to recharge before I hit full on burnout, then 'it's not that bad' and 'I can't just bail on responsibilities' and 'I never needed that before when I wasn't aware of my autism.'
I'm so fuckin tired of it, man...
I'm so fuckin tired of it, man...
November 11, 2025 at 2:54 AM
They are 'accepting' of my autism right up until I'm in desperate need of alone time to recharge before I hit full on burnout, then 'it's not that bad' and 'I can't just bail on responsibilities' and 'I never needed that before when I wasn't aware of my autism.'
I'm so fuckin tired of it, man...
I'm so fuckin tired of it, man...
Reposted by Rachel
I don’t have a whole lot of advice for people younger than me but the earlier in life you stop worrying about what other people will think and just wholeheartedly enjoy the stuff you like the happier you’ll be
One thing people kind of tell you, but not really, about middle age:
One day you'll be like "oh [thing] looks fun but people will think I'm a loser" about a thing
And then you'll say. Wait a second.
Fuck 'em
One day you'll be like "oh [thing] looks fun but people will think I'm a loser" about a thing
And then you'll say. Wait a second.
Fuck 'em
Darn Tough turned me on to Cute Socks and I've never looked back
November 11, 2025 at 1:24 AM
I don’t have a whole lot of advice for people younger than me but the earlier in life you stop worrying about what other people will think and just wholeheartedly enjoy the stuff you like the happier you’ll be
…I didn’t realize this class had a final paper…Oops. But tbh,
I wanted to write a paper about this material at some point anyway, so I don’t mind. I get to write about ancient Jewish amulets, which is extremely my jam.
I wanted to write a paper about this material at some point anyway, so I don’t mind. I get to write about ancient Jewish amulets, which is extremely my jam.
November 11, 2025 at 1:42 AM
…I didn’t realize this class had a final paper…Oops. But tbh,
I wanted to write a paper about this material at some point anyway, so I don’t mind. I get to write about ancient Jewish amulets, which is extremely my jam.
I wanted to write a paper about this material at some point anyway, so I don’t mind. I get to write about ancient Jewish amulets, which is extremely my jam.
I actually need #ADHD meds, but I haven’t had them in a few years. At one point there was a shortage & I had to stop taking them, & I didn’t have the executive function to get back on & chase them down every 30 days. But man, I miss them. Hope I can have them back someday.
November 10, 2025 at 11:51 PM
I actually need #ADHD meds, but I haven’t had them in a few years. At one point there was a shortage & I had to stop taking them, & I didn’t have the executive function to get back on & chase them down every 30 days. But man, I miss them. Hope I can have them back someday.
Reposted by Rachel
the truth of it is, there's something that non autistic people are expecting of me that i am unable to provide. i do my best to blend in to avoid being pushed away further, but regardless of the significant effort, i am not accepted. what is this but shunning?
November 10, 2025 at 10:28 PM
the truth of it is, there's something that non autistic people are expecting of me that i am unable to provide. i do my best to blend in to avoid being pushed away further, but regardless of the significant effort, i am not accepted. what is this but shunning?
Reposted by Rachel
But I think it would be good for people to realize that there are lots of different neurotypes out there doing their best, and not to make assumptions about the "real" reasons a person doesn't small talk well - find a way to expand social norms for everyone.
November 10, 2025 at 7:26 AM
But I think it would be good for people to realize that there are lots of different neurotypes out there doing their best, and not to make assumptions about the "real" reasons a person doesn't small talk well - find a way to expand social norms for everyone.
Reposted by Rachel
Neurodivergent people usually spend their lives with people assuming that they do the things they do because they don't "care" enough, and it's crushing and adds a further layer of trauma response to things like small talk as an expectation.
November 10, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Neurodivergent people usually spend their lives with people assuming that they do the things they do because they don't "care" enough, and it's crushing and adds a further layer of trauma response to things like small talk as an expectation.
Reposted by Rachel
It is not the case that "we're all a little autistic," but you don't have to be autistic to find some autistic people or tendencies relatable.
November 10, 2025 at 9:49 PM
It is not the case that "we're all a little autistic," but you don't have to be autistic to find some autistic people or tendencies relatable.
Also, she was very disappointed at how boring blitzball is. Me too, kid. Me too.
And she broke down laughing at the “Tidus trying to laugh” cutscene. It’s such a delight seeing her honest first reactions!
And she broke down laughing at the “Tidus trying to laugh” cutscene. It’s such a delight seeing her honest first reactions!
November 10, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Also, she was very disappointed at how boring blitzball is. Me too, kid. Me too.
And she broke down laughing at the “Tidus trying to laugh” cutscene. It’s such a delight seeing her honest first reactions!
And she broke down laughing at the “Tidus trying to laugh” cutscene. It’s such a delight seeing her honest first reactions!
Reposted by Rachel
Yep. The push to ‘cure’ or ‘prevent’ autism is, at its core, eugenics
When people say “prevent Autism” … I hear “prevent people like me from being born”. #ActuallyAutistic
November 10, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Yep. The push to ‘cure’ or ‘prevent’ autism is, at its core, eugenics
Kiddo (6) likes to watch me play video games. This time, we’re playing FFX, which is new for her. Her thoughts so far:
- Yuna is SO PRETTY
- The music is SO PRETTY
- Why did Tidus’s mom marry Jecht, when he’s so mean?
- Valefor is a Good Boy, & Kiddo would like to ride him
1/2
- Yuna is SO PRETTY
- The music is SO PRETTY
- Why did Tidus’s mom marry Jecht, when he’s so mean?
- Valefor is a Good Boy, & Kiddo would like to ride him
1/2
November 10, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Kiddo (6) likes to watch me play video games. This time, we’re playing FFX, which is new for her. Her thoughts so far:
- Yuna is SO PRETTY
- The music is SO PRETTY
- Why did Tidus’s mom marry Jecht, when he’s so mean?
- Valefor is a Good Boy, & Kiddo would like to ride him
1/2
- Yuna is SO PRETTY
- The music is SO PRETTY
- Why did Tidus’s mom marry Jecht, when he’s so mean?
- Valefor is a Good Boy, & Kiddo would like to ride him
1/2
Reposted by Rachel
The autistic experience of thinking deeply before speaking… only for the moment to pass because everyone else already jumped in
Sometimes we just need a little more time to process and sort through our thoughts
And when we do speak, it’s with care
#AutismAwareness #inclusion
Sometimes we just need a little more time to process and sort through our thoughts
And when we do speak, it’s with care
#AutismAwareness #inclusion
November 10, 2025 at 5:14 PM
The autistic experience of thinking deeply before speaking… only for the moment to pass because everyone else already jumped in
Sometimes we just need a little more time to process and sort through our thoughts
And when we do speak, it’s with care
#AutismAwareness #inclusion
Sometimes we just need a little more time to process and sort through our thoughts
And when we do speak, it’s with care
#AutismAwareness #inclusion
Reposted by Rachel
This is the Biblical Law I want to see brought back.
we don't talk enough about how promises are supposed to be made with your hands on others' balls
November 10, 2025 at 4:42 PM
This is the Biblical Law I want to see brought back.
Reposted by Rachel
To add the unsaid part more plainly.
What has changed is the total conflation of Jews with Israel and the need for Jews to prove themselves as something other than part of a nefarious, semi-hidden order steering American politics has escaped containment as a mostly fringe point of view.
What has changed is the total conflation of Jews with Israel and the need for Jews to prove themselves as something other than part of a nefarious, semi-hidden order steering American politics has escaped containment as a mostly fringe point of view.
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
To add the unsaid part more plainly.
What has changed is the total conflation of Jews with Israel and the need for Jews to prove themselves as something other than part of a nefarious, semi-hidden order steering American politics has escaped containment as a mostly fringe point of view.
What has changed is the total conflation of Jews with Israel and the need for Jews to prove themselves as something other than part of a nefarious, semi-hidden order steering American politics has escaped containment as a mostly fringe point of view.
Reposted by Rachel
There's really no way around the fact Israel has successfully turned the United States into a deeply antisemitic country in an open, blunt way that it wasn't before and it is going to be the norm for several generations.
November 10, 2025 at 3:57 PM
There's really no way around the fact Israel has successfully turned the United States into a deeply antisemitic country in an open, blunt way that it wasn't before and it is going to be the norm for several generations.
Reposted by Rachel
When they tell me that I’m just “quirky.”
Oh, especially when they bring up that “some autistic people hit themselves!”
Like, you legit know NOTHING.
I AM AUTISTIC PEOPLE. I DO THAT. What you see up front is just because I can mask my autism better sometimes for your comfort.
Oh, especially when they bring up that “some autistic people hit themselves!”
Like, you legit know NOTHING.
I AM AUTISTIC PEOPLE. I DO THAT. What you see up front is just because I can mask my autism better sometimes for your comfort.
November 10, 2025 at 4:47 PM
When they tell me that I’m just “quirky.”
Oh, especially when they bring up that “some autistic people hit themselves!”
Like, you legit know NOTHING.
I AM AUTISTIC PEOPLE. I DO THAT. What you see up front is just because I can mask my autism better sometimes for your comfort.
Oh, especially when they bring up that “some autistic people hit themselves!”
Like, you legit know NOTHING.
I AM AUTISTIC PEOPLE. I DO THAT. What you see up front is just because I can mask my autism better sometimes for your comfort.
Reposted by Rachel
I love seeing people tell me exactly what they think of me when they tell me I’m privileged as an autistic person because I’m not a *parent* of a high-support-needs autistic person.
November 10, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I love seeing people tell me exactly what they think of me when they tell me I’m privileged as an autistic person because I’m not a *parent* of a high-support-needs autistic person.
Reposted by Rachel
🎶to the tune of "Cruella de Vil"🎶
They're blaming the Jews
They're blaming the Jews
No matter if right wing
Or left in their views
If something they don't like is in the news
It's always, it's always The Jews!
They're blaming the Jews
They're blaming the Jews
No matter if right wing
Or left in their views
If something they don't like is in the news
It's always, it's always The Jews!
November 10, 2025 at 4:08 PM
🎶to the tune of "Cruella de Vil"🎶
They're blaming the Jews
They're blaming the Jews
No matter if right wing
Or left in their views
If something they don't like is in the news
It's always, it's always The Jews!
They're blaming the Jews
They're blaming the Jews
No matter if right wing
Or left in their views
If something they don't like is in the news
It's always, it's always The Jews!
Reposted by Rachel
It’s the way it’s used as a form of erasure that bothers me.
“Oh I might be a little neurospicy, but I don’t have The Autism ew.” Or “You’re not Autistic, you’re just neurospicy!”
It’s a hellspawn of toxic positivity & deflection.
“Oh I might be a little neurospicy, but I don’t have The Autism ew.” Or “You’re not Autistic, you’re just neurospicy!”
It’s a hellspawn of toxic positivity & deflection.
do any other autistics hate the term "neurospicy" or am i just an unfun bitch
November 10, 2025 at 4:02 PM
It’s the way it’s used as a form of erasure that bothers me.
“Oh I might be a little neurospicy, but I don’t have The Autism ew.” Or “You’re not Autistic, you’re just neurospicy!”
It’s a hellspawn of toxic positivity & deflection.
“Oh I might be a little neurospicy, but I don’t have The Autism ew.” Or “You’re not Autistic, you’re just neurospicy!”
It’s a hellspawn of toxic positivity & deflection.
Reposted by Rachel
Like, it’s pretty rich to hear “everyone has interests like that” when “restricted interests” are STILL a diagnostic criterion for autism in the DSM! #Autistic people are othered, mocked, pathologized & put in intensive therapy for this trait that “everyone” has.
September 22, 2024 at 8:57 PM
Like, it’s pretty rich to hear “everyone has interests like that” when “restricted interests” are STILL a diagnostic criterion for autism in the DSM! #Autistic people are othered, mocked, pathologized & put in intensive therapy for this trait that “everyone” has.
Reposted by Rachel
I’ve seen people questioning if special interests are really an “ #Autistic thing,” or if everyone has them.
Funny, they never asked that back when special interests were pathologized as “restricted interests,” only once autistics started reclaiming them as a positive 🤔
Funny, they never asked that back when special interests were pathologized as “restricted interests,” only once autistics started reclaiming them as a positive 🤔
September 22, 2024 at 8:50 PM
I’ve seen people questioning if special interests are really an “ #Autistic thing,” or if everyone has them.
Funny, they never asked that back when special interests were pathologized as “restricted interests,” only once autistics started reclaiming them as a positive 🤔
Funny, they never asked that back when special interests were pathologized as “restricted interests,” only once autistics started reclaiming them as a positive 🤔
Reposted by Rachel
There are some assholes who think autistics are superior (“aspie supremacy”), but no one takes them seriously. We don’t need to countermessage them in every post. Treating aspie supremacy as a bigger concern than stigma is internet-rot-brain.
November 10, 2025 at 12:34 AM
There are some assholes who think autistics are superior (“aspie supremacy”), but no one takes them seriously. We don’t need to countermessage them in every post. Treating aspie supremacy as a bigger concern than stigma is internet-rot-brain.
Reposted by Rachel
Positive, affirming posts about #autistic people meet so much resistance in the autistic community... If someone posts “autistics tend to care about morality,” it attracts a zillion people warning that we aren’t morally superior or anything, & lots of us aren’t moral, &, &…/
November 10, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Positive, affirming posts about #autistic people meet so much resistance in the autistic community... If someone posts “autistics tend to care about morality,” it attracts a zillion people warning that we aren’t morally superior or anything, & lots of us aren’t moral, &, &…/
Reposted by Rachel
#Autistic people tend to be earnest & honest, & to have strong integrity: we hold ourselves to our values. Many of us are deeply upset by anything that seems unjust. We aren’t all angels, but I do think most of us are genuinely trying to be decent, & that is a virtue of our neurotype.
November 9, 2025 at 10:24 PM
#Autistic people tend to be earnest & honest, & to have strong integrity: we hold ourselves to our values. Many of us are deeply upset by anything that seems unjust. We aren’t all angels, but I do think most of us are genuinely trying to be decent, & that is a virtue of our neurotype.
Reposted by Rachel
The medical field characterizes us as “rigid thinkers” who are too naive to understand guile & too “sensitive” to injustice. They do mental gymnastics to frame our honesty, integrity, & a drive towards justice as deficits, rather than strengths. #Autistic
November 9, 2025 at 10:34 PM
The medical field characterizes us as “rigid thinkers” who are too naive to understand guile & too “sensitive” to injustice. They do mental gymnastics to frame our honesty, integrity, & a drive towards justice as deficits, rather than strengths. #Autistic