Victoria Duncan
@victoriaduncan.bsky.social
Autistic woman writing about autism, neurodiversity and neuronormative culture. She/her.
I did an interesting thing with my autism disclosure for this workplace. I didn't officially disclose but I reference my autism on my LinkedIn profile and it's pretty prominent: it's in my headline, in my volunteer roles, and in my posts.
BUT: I technically did not tell them I'm autistic.
BUT: I technically did not tell them I'm autistic.
November 9, 2025 at 1:38 AM
I did an interesting thing with my autism disclosure for this workplace. I didn't officially disclose but I reference my autism on my LinkedIn profile and it's pretty prominent: it's in my headline, in my volunteer roles, and in my posts.
BUT: I technically did not tell them I'm autistic.
BUT: I technically did not tell them I'm autistic.
"But if that were true then your life would be impossible" is an entire genre of dismissals of disabled people's experiences.
It's not that they don't understand when we say how hard it is. It's that they can't believe we're still functioning at all of it's that hard.
It's not that they don't understand when we say how hard it is. It's that they can't believe we're still functioning at all of it's that hard.
"how do they ever get anything done, then?"
And yea, all praise to ADHD folks for ever getting anything done because it seems it would be impossible without that motivation and reward. The fact that you are ever able to do anything is superhuman!
And yea, all praise to ADHD folks for ever getting anything done because it seems it would be impossible without that motivation and reward. The fact that you are ever able to do anything is superhuman!
November 8, 2025 at 5:47 AM
"But if that were true then your life would be impossible" is an entire genre of dismissals of disabled people's experiences.
It's not that they don't understand when we say how hard it is. It's that they can't believe we're still functioning at all of it's that hard.
It's not that they don't understand when we say how hard it is. It's that they can't believe we're still functioning at all of it's that hard.
Reposted by Victoria Duncan
God, a thousand times this.
That's the thing with dopamine being tied to task initiation - there's a set of gears that won't - CAN'T - engage in my brain, but none of my problems are with analysis.
I can be fully aware of all the necessary steps, and stressing about starting, and just... not.
That's the thing with dopamine being tied to task initiation - there's a set of gears that won't - CAN'T - engage in my brain, but none of my problems are with analysis.
I can be fully aware of all the necessary steps, and stressing about starting, and just... not.
November 7, 2025 at 5:56 PM
God, a thousand times this.
That's the thing with dopamine being tied to task initiation - there's a set of gears that won't - CAN'T - engage in my brain, but none of my problems are with analysis.
I can be fully aware of all the necessary steps, and stressing about starting, and just... not.
That's the thing with dopamine being tied to task initiation - there's a set of gears that won't - CAN'T - engage in my brain, but none of my problems are with analysis.
I can be fully aware of all the necessary steps, and stressing about starting, and just... not.
I have a different take on feelings than many of my colleagues in communications and change management. A lot of professionals in these fields are highly emotional and identify as highly empathetic. In their work they reach for feelings a lot.
November 8, 2025 at 4:07 AM
I have a different take on feelings than many of my colleagues in communications and change management. A lot of professionals in these fields are highly emotional and identify as highly empathetic. In their work they reach for feelings a lot.
"In the real world no one will accommodate you" is trauma talking. It's true that people aren't falling over themselves to help me but my adult life is way more accommodating than my childhood was, because adults get to make choices. I'm accommodating myself.
stop telling your neurodivergent child that in "the real world" people won't accommodate them, so they should suck it up. this is the real world and you shouldn't be your child's first bully
November 7, 2025 at 9:27 PM
"In the real world no one will accommodate you" is trauma talking. It's true that people aren't falling over themselves to help me but my adult life is way more accommodating than my childhood was, because adults get to make choices. I'm accommodating myself.
Reposted by Victoria Duncan
you can't just do your video game dailies, you need to do your life dailies too
November 6, 2025 at 8:28 PM
you can't just do your video game dailies, you need to do your life dailies too
I had to book 16 one-way flights in one sitting while I was prepping for this contract and I don't usually do that many things without making a mistake so this is my solemn promise and hold me to it: If I get through the next 6 weeks without encountering a travel fuckup I get a half day at the spa.
November 6, 2025 at 2:28 AM
I had to book 16 one-way flights in one sitting while I was prepping for this contract and I don't usually do that many things without making a mistake so this is my solemn promise and hold me to it: If I get through the next 6 weeks without encountering a travel fuckup I get a half day at the spa.
Autistic traveling consultant update: I hit the "stress crying on the way to work" stage of this challenge. The rest of the day went better but I just felt so overwhelmed. This consulting opportunity is giving me some great experience but it's really heckin hard some days.
November 6, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Autistic traveling consultant update: I hit the "stress crying on the way to work" stage of this challenge. The rest of the day went better but I just felt so overwhelmed. This consulting opportunity is giving me some great experience but it's really heckin hard some days.
Week 2 of consultant travel: sick with a cold but doing better anyway. Packing was easier. I'm staying in the same hotel each time, same type of room, and it's getting some nice routine vibes. There's a grocery store I like nearby and I went and bought some familiar foods. I think this could work.
November 5, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Week 2 of consultant travel: sick with a cold but doing better anyway. Packing was easier. I'm staying in the same hotel each time, same type of room, and it's getting some nice routine vibes. There's a grocery store I like nearby and I went and bought some familiar foods. I think this could work.
Reposted by Victoria Duncan
Basically, every single person who has ever waxed lyrical about the value of exposure to opposing viewpoints has actually been talking about *you* being exposed to *their* views and literally nothing else.
November 3, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Basically, every single person who has ever waxed lyrical about the value of exposure to opposing viewpoints has actually been talking about *you* being exposed to *their* views and literally nothing else.
Reposted by Victoria Duncan
Nothing makes my autistic heart soar quite like a website that tells you the exact aisle number/letter a product is located in so you can go to that store and know exactly where to find the item.
November 3, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Nothing makes my autistic heart soar quite like a website that tells you the exact aisle number/letter a product is located in so you can go to that store and know exactly where to find the item.
I have a morning pre-work routine I really like and I'm not naturally a Routines Autistic so I get very worried it will stop working one day.
The routine:
- 10 mins Pilates (good for mobility)
- 15-20 mins educational video (something not work related)
- Start work & do one quick task for momentum
The routine:
- 10 mins Pilates (good for mobility)
- 15-20 mins educational video (something not work related)
- Start work & do one quick task for momentum
November 3, 2025 at 4:42 AM
I have a morning pre-work routine I really like and I'm not naturally a Routines Autistic so I get very worried it will stop working one day.
The routine:
- 10 mins Pilates (good for mobility)
- 15-20 mins educational video (something not work related)
- Start work & do one quick task for momentum
The routine:
- 10 mins Pilates (good for mobility)
- 15-20 mins educational video (something not work related)
- Start work & do one quick task for momentum
I had an interesting conversation with my family about finding fulfilling work. I'm autistic, my dad is probably auDHD, my sister is diagnosed ADHD, my mom probably has ADHD.
They look for adrenalin or "intellectual stimulation" in their jobs.
I look for peace & quiet, coming down from overwhelm.
They look for adrenalin or "intellectual stimulation" in their jobs.
I look for peace & quiet, coming down from overwhelm.
November 3, 2025 at 2:31 AM
I had an interesting conversation with my family about finding fulfilling work. I'm autistic, my dad is probably auDHD, my sister is diagnosed ADHD, my mom probably has ADHD.
They look for adrenalin or "intellectual stimulation" in their jobs.
I look for peace & quiet, coming down from overwhelm.
They look for adrenalin or "intellectual stimulation" in their jobs.
I look for peace & quiet, coming down from overwhelm.
This thread is the best 💜
And we have now progressed from data analysis to policy recommendations.
I told her that we'd calculate the cash value of her candy haul, that I'd ask her to raid her piggy bank and donate 1/3 the candy cash value to a local food bank, and that I'd add on a 5X match.
I told her that we'd calculate the cash value of her candy haul, that I'd ask her to raid her piggy bank and donate 1/3 the candy cash value to a local food bank, and that I'd add on a 5X match.
November 1, 2025 at 9:37 PM
This thread is the best 💜
Reposted by Victoria Duncan
This didn’t just attack me, it enraged me
July 6, 2025 at 7:11 PM
This didn’t just attack me, it enraged me
I don't have anxiety, I have entirely reasonable & justified fears. Other people's anxiety is caused by their unreasonable & unjustified fears 👀
When you ask “does anyone else experience xyz anxiety?” And someone replies “no, I never got anxious, what are you anxious about?” That’s some asshole behavior ijs
(just happened to me on another platform)
(just happened to me on another platform)
November 1, 2025 at 7:54 PM
I don't have anxiety, I have entirely reasonable & justified fears. Other people's anxiety is caused by their unreasonable & unjustified fears 👀
Solidarity with whoever else is the only person masking on their bus/plane 😷. I have to travel frequently for the next few months and I do NOT want to get sick and I will cheerfully tolerate some side glances in support of this goal
November 1, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Solidarity with whoever else is the only person masking on their bus/plane 😷. I have to travel frequently for the next few months and I do NOT want to get sick and I will cheerfully tolerate some side glances in support of this goal
When I ran an ERG for neurodivergent employees I had a standing joke that we should publish our ADHD Month materials in November and apologize for being late 😭
it’s ADHD awareness day because it’s the first day after ADHD awareness month and some of you are just learning that right now
& I’ve managed to fully procrastinate picking a new picture and display name
& I’ve managed to fully procrastinate picking a new picture and display name
November 1, 2025 at 6:40 PM
When I ran an ERG for neurodivergent employees I had a standing joke that we should publish our ADHD Month materials in November and apologize for being late 😭
Which world religion is best or worst for autistic people? I've been thinking about this for myself.
Evangelical Christianity was the worst for me. Imagining telling an autistic child their friends are going to burn in hell. "It's a metaphor" I'm 5.
Evangelical Christianity was the worst for me. Imagining telling an autistic child their friends are going to burn in hell. "It's a metaphor" I'm 5.
November 1, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Which world religion is best or worst for autistic people? I've been thinking about this for myself.
Evangelical Christianity was the worst for me. Imagining telling an autistic child their friends are going to burn in hell. "It's a metaphor" I'm 5.
Evangelical Christianity was the worst for me. Imagining telling an autistic child their friends are going to burn in hell. "It's a metaphor" I'm 5.
I'm still living through this. I was the youngest of four, so I was usually too young for whatever everyone else was doing. If I got interested in a home reno or repair, I'd be nudged out of the way because my parents were stressed and didn't want me getting into things.
if you have access to a kind caring father figure who could teach you basic car procedures and problem solving, please prioritize it. you could use that new knowledge to train other women who don't have those kinds of relationships. we need community care.
November 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I'm still living through this. I was the youngest of four, so I was usually too young for whatever everyone else was doing. If I got interested in a home reno or repair, I'd be nudged out of the way because my parents were stressed and didn't want me getting into things.
Reposted by Victoria Duncan
I HATE IT
It's true that humanities skills are highly valuable but they are not well understood by employers. No one in a corporation is going "you know who we need to hire? Some English PhDs". You have to market those skills very carefully to have any chance & that's a whole other skillset.
It's true that humanities skills are highly valuable but they are not well understood by employers. No one in a corporation is going "you know who we need to hire? Some English PhDs". You have to market those skills very carefully to have any chance & that's a whole other skillset.
I sincerely wish that the people who defend PhD education were better at it.
A: this is objectively untrue.
B: the author’s premise is that critical thinking/deep reading/PhD soft skills are valuable career skills, so it’s all fine. (Nevermind that even though they are, they’re not golden tickets).
A: this is objectively untrue.
B: the author’s premise is that critical thinking/deep reading/PhD soft skills are valuable career skills, so it’s all fine. (Nevermind that even though they are, they’re not golden tickets).
November 1, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I HATE IT
It's true that humanities skills are highly valuable but they are not well understood by employers. No one in a corporation is going "you know who we need to hire? Some English PhDs". You have to market those skills very carefully to have any chance & that's a whole other skillset.
It's true that humanities skills are highly valuable but they are not well understood by employers. No one in a corporation is going "you know who we need to hire? Some English PhDs". You have to market those skills very carefully to have any chance & that's a whole other skillset.
Reposted by Victoria Duncan
We have progressed from data collection to data analysis.
November 1, 2025 at 12:31 AM
We have progressed from data collection to data analysis.
I FIXED NY KITCHEN SINK ALL BY MYSELF 💪💪
October 31, 2025 at 11:52 PM
I FIXED NY KITCHEN SINK ALL BY MYSELF 💪💪
Reposted by Victoria Duncan
Them
" Autism is recent thing we didn'ty have irt prior to the 50s"
Me gestures top this photo
" Autism is recent thing we didn'ty have irt prior to the 50s"
Me gestures top this photo
October 31, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Them
" Autism is recent thing we didn'ty have irt prior to the 50s"
Me gestures top this photo
" Autism is recent thing we didn'ty have irt prior to the 50s"
Me gestures top this photo