Alex
@alexharpin.bsky.social
She/they.
Autistic.
Also talk about my experience with OCD, eating disorders, Axial Spondyloarthritis.
Kiwi-Brit 🇪🇺 in London, England.
Librarian.
Interests: nature, animals, my cuddly family.
Lifelong vegetarian.
All views are my own.
Autistic.
Also talk about my experience with OCD, eating disorders, Axial Spondyloarthritis.
Kiwi-Brit 🇪🇺 in London, England.
Librarian.
Interests: nature, animals, my cuddly family.
Lifelong vegetarian.
All views are my own.
Pinned
Alex
@alexharpin.bsky.social
· Nov 12
Lots of lovely new followers here! Hello 👋 I’m Alex. I started posting fairly regularly after realising I’m Autistic in my mid thirties. I’m still processing it all 3 years on so writing it out helps me. I also post about my experiences with OCD, eating disorder recovery and Axial Spondyloarthritis.
I know I sound like a broken record when it comes to our upstairs neighbours but I so wish housing had good soundproofing like some hotels. The whole time we were in Berlin I didn’t hear any noise from fellow guests but now it’s back to the usual noise from neighbours. How I wish that was different!
November 13, 2025 at 9:55 PM
I know I sound like a broken record when it comes to our upstairs neighbours but I so wish housing had good soundproofing like some hotels. The whole time we were in Berlin I didn’t hear any noise from fellow guests but now it’s back to the usual noise from neighbours. How I wish that was different!
Reposted by Alex
✨New research
Language shapes how others see us. So, what do neurodivergent people think of the words “neurodiversity” & “neurodivergent”?
- mixed views
- important that it’s used correctly (it often isn’t!)
- for some, it’s a safe umbrella term
- for others, it can be too broad or add to stigma
Language shapes how others see us. So, what do neurodivergent people think of the words “neurodiversity” & “neurodivergent”?
- mixed views
- important that it’s used correctly (it often isn’t!)
- for some, it’s a safe umbrella term
- for others, it can be too broad or add to stigma
November 12, 2025 at 5:28 PM
✨New research
Language shapes how others see us. So, what do neurodivergent people think of the words “neurodiversity” & “neurodivergent”?
- mixed views
- important that it’s used correctly (it often isn’t!)
- for some, it’s a safe umbrella term
- for others, it can be too broad or add to stigma
Language shapes how others see us. So, what do neurodivergent people think of the words “neurodiversity” & “neurodivergent”?
- mixed views
- important that it’s used correctly (it often isn’t!)
- for some, it’s a safe umbrella term
- for others, it can be too broad or add to stigma
For me, icebreaker activities really heighten anxiety. Trying to think of an interesting fact about myself while wondering what others might find interesting, trying to remember what someone has told me to repeat back to the rest of the group…usually I just want to run away and hide.
#Autistic
#Autistic
November 12, 2025 at 10:11 PM
For me, icebreaker activities really heighten anxiety. Trying to think of an interesting fact about myself while wondering what others might find interesting, trying to remember what someone has told me to repeat back to the rest of the group…usually I just want to run away and hide.
#Autistic
#Autistic
Long weekend in Berlin. Such a wonderful experience. Really interesting and we had a great time. Looking forward to going back sometime! Too many photos but here’s a little selection ❤️
November 12, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Long weekend in Berlin. Such a wonderful experience. Really interesting and we had a great time. Looking forward to going back sometime! Too many photos but here’s a little selection ❤️
I love the community here. I came on here this evening upset and anxious after my dentist appointment today and can go to bed feeling more comfortable about the whole thing, thanks to others talking about their experiences and helping reassure me. Thanks so much to you all ❤️
November 3, 2025 at 10:53 PM
I love the community here. I came on here this evening upset and anxious after my dentist appointment today and can go to bed feeling more comfortable about the whole thing, thanks to others talking about their experiences and helping reassure me. Thanks so much to you all ❤️
Reposted by Alex
Autistic me has been baffled to discover how much of the world functions only because a large majority of people comply without needing to understand what they are doing or why.
November 3, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Autistic me has been baffled to discover how much of the world functions only because a large majority of people comply without needing to understand what they are doing or why.
I went to the dentist and ended up crying afterwards as I have to have a filling for the first time in my life because of abfraction and need to choose between 3 options to prevent teeth grinding, leaning towards a night guard to try tor now. It’s overwhelming and I’ve always dreaded treatment!
November 3, 2025 at 6:54 PM
I went to the dentist and ended up crying afterwards as I have to have a filling for the first time in my life because of abfraction and need to choose between 3 options to prevent teeth grinding, leaning towards a night guard to try tor now. It’s overwhelming and I’ve always dreaded treatment!
Recovering from an eating disorder is very hard but especially in a society where diet talk seems so prevalent. When you’re developing a healthier relationship with food and exercise but constantly reminded about how many calories are in specific foods and discussions about diets/exercise dominate..
October 28, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Recovering from an eating disorder is very hard but especially in a society where diet talk seems so prevalent. When you’re developing a healthier relationship with food and exercise but constantly reminded about how many calories are in specific foods and discussions about diets/exercise dominate..
It’s strange to me that noise teams will deal with complaints about certain noises like DIY, parties, using some household appliances late at night but things like running around and banging and crashing from children playing late at night, no it’s regular household noise. It’s late and disruptive 😢
October 22, 2025 at 10:28 PM
It’s strange to me that noise teams will deal with complaints about certain noises like DIY, parties, using some household appliances late at night but things like running around and banging and crashing from children playing late at night, no it’s regular household noise. It’s late and disruptive 😢
Reposted by Alex
It takes 2.6 seconds for me to go from “there’s something beautiful in every human being” to “get me off this planet”
October 22, 2025 at 1:42 PM
It takes 2.6 seconds for me to go from “there’s something beautiful in every human being” to “get me off this planet”
Had both my flu and Covid vaccines this evening! Great start to the weekend 😊
October 17, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Had both my flu and Covid vaccines this evening! Great start to the weekend 😊
Reposted by Alex
I can’t emphasize enough how useful being autistic is for academic research. In particular, the ability to make connections & spot patterns across large quantities of data. I feel like this is what my brain was made to do. #Autistic
October 15, 2025 at 12:41 AM
I can’t emphasize enough how useful being autistic is for academic research. In particular, the ability to make connections & spot patterns across large quantities of data. I feel like this is what my brain was made to do. #Autistic
Reposted by Alex
Most autistic people I meet *like* being autistic. It’s core to who they are & comes with many strengths
What’s hard is surviving in a society that rarely accommodates, respects or tries to understand us
There’s a BIG difference between being autistic & being unsupported
Let’s not confuse the two
What’s hard is surviving in a society that rarely accommodates, respects or tries to understand us
There’s a BIG difference between being autistic & being unsupported
Let’s not confuse the two
October 15, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Most autistic people I meet *like* being autistic. It’s core to who they are & comes with many strengths
What’s hard is surviving in a society that rarely accommodates, respects or tries to understand us
There’s a BIG difference between being autistic & being unsupported
Let’s not confuse the two
What’s hard is surviving in a society that rarely accommodates, respects or tries to understand us
There’s a BIG difference between being autistic & being unsupported
Let’s not confuse the two
For some reason I’m finding the transition from summer to autumn very hard this year. I’m missing the sunny, warmer days, and dreading the overcast, cold days. Just need some nice autumn sun 🍂 but trying to think of the lovely things - warm, cosy clothes and lots of pretty lights!
October 14, 2025 at 9:19 PM
For some reason I’m finding the transition from summer to autumn very hard this year. I’m missing the sunny, warmer days, and dreading the overcast, cold days. Just need some nice autumn sun 🍂 but trying to think of the lovely things - warm, cosy clothes and lots of pretty lights!
Reposted by Alex
Autistic meltdowns aren’t tantrums.
They’re the bodymind saying “I can’t hold this anymore".
They’re not moral failures.
They’re overload.
Pressure leaving the system.
You don’t need punishment.
You need safety.
They’re the bodymind saying “I can’t hold this anymore".
They’re not moral failures.
They’re overload.
Pressure leaving the system.
You don’t need punishment.
You need safety.
October 8, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Autistic meltdowns aren’t tantrums.
They’re the bodymind saying “I can’t hold this anymore".
They’re not moral failures.
They’re overload.
Pressure leaving the system.
You don’t need punishment.
You need safety.
They’re the bodymind saying “I can’t hold this anymore".
They’re not moral failures.
They’re overload.
Pressure leaving the system.
You don’t need punishment.
You need safety.
Wow, 4 years since I realised I was Autistic. The time has flown by. Learning this really did have so much positive change for me, mostly how life-affirming it is. Things finally made sense. I learnt (am still learning) to embrace myself as I am. I think I’m still processing it all to be honest.
October 8, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Wow, 4 years since I realised I was Autistic. The time has flown by. Learning this really did have so much positive change for me, mostly how life-affirming it is. Things finally made sense. I learnt (am still learning) to embrace myself as I am. I think I’m still processing it all to be honest.
First hot water bottle of this season! 🍂 while I love summer and the sun, it’s so nice to put layers on and hug a hot water bottle. I find it very soothing.
September 27, 2025 at 8:56 PM
First hot water bottle of this season! 🍂 while I love summer and the sun, it’s so nice to put layers on and hug a hot water bottle. I find it very soothing.
Reposted by Alex
annsautism.blogspot.com/2025/06/auti... may be helpful in setting out the positives and realities about autism, from actual research, rather than the doom-mongering and total negativity based on whatever goes through his mind that day.
Please do feel free to read and share.
Please do feel free to read and share.
Autistic People - Where are we in 2025? The Positives and Realities
Autism. Here we are, 100 years on from the work of Sukhareva, and 80 years on from the original misunderstandings in the 1940s. So, what...
annsautism.blogspot.com
September 23, 2025 at 9:17 AM
annsautism.blogspot.com/2025/06/auti... may be helpful in setting out the positives and realities about autism, from actual research, rather than the doom-mongering and total negativity based on whatever goes through his mind that day.
Please do feel free to read and share.
Please do feel free to read and share.
I really wanted to ‘change the world’ when I found out I’m Autistic. I wanted to tell everyone. Educate, encourage acceptance and understanding. I wanted everyone to embrace us. But, that takes a lot of courage and energy, which is very difficult in reality. Even more so right now. But…
September 23, 2025 at 7:45 PM
I really wanted to ‘change the world’ when I found out I’m Autistic. I wanted to tell everyone. Educate, encourage acceptance and understanding. I wanted everyone to embrace us. But, that takes a lot of courage and energy, which is very difficult in reality. Even more so right now. But…
Reposted by Alex
It appears the foreseeable future will be even more difficult for autistic people & their loved ones because of the heinous disinformation coming from the US government &their supporters. We should not need to reiterate the humanity of Autistic people, but here we are, watching as progress is erased
September 23, 2025 at 5:40 AM
It appears the foreseeable future will be even more difficult for autistic people & their loved ones because of the heinous disinformation coming from the US government &their supporters. We should not need to reiterate the humanity of Autistic people, but here we are, watching as progress is erased
Reposted by Alex
Trump is calling autism “out of control”
No…
Autism stigma is out of control
Ableism is out of control
Inaccessibility to basic healthcare and support is out of control
No…
Autism stigma is out of control
Ableism is out of control
Inaccessibility to basic healthcare and support is out of control
September 22, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Trump is calling autism “out of control”
No…
Autism stigma is out of control
Ableism is out of control
Inaccessibility to basic healthcare and support is out of control
No…
Autism stigma is out of control
Ableism is out of control
Inaccessibility to basic healthcare and support is out of control
Reposted by Alex
I refuse to be told by a guy who has suggested all neurodivergent Individuals should be institutionalised, and another whose brain was eaten by a worm, that my being autistic is the problem, or a crisis. Autistic individuals aren't the problem, the way we are treated and minimised damn sure is.
September 22, 2025 at 9:06 PM
I refuse to be told by a guy who has suggested all neurodivergent Individuals should be institutionalised, and another whose brain was eaten by a worm, that my being autistic is the problem, or a crisis. Autistic individuals aren't the problem, the way we are treated and minimised damn sure is.
My partner and I have just got back from a wonderful holiday back in beautiful Paphos, Cyprus. So many fantastic memories, too many photos to share but I think this one is perfect for now. Will miss that glorious blue sky we enjoyed every day. A combination of exploring and relaxation, perfect ❤️
September 20, 2025 at 9:56 PM
My partner and I have just got back from a wonderful holiday back in beautiful Paphos, Cyprus. So many fantastic memories, too many photos to share but I think this one is perfect for now. Will miss that glorious blue sky we enjoyed every day. A combination of exploring and relaxation, perfect ❤️
Reposted by Alex
*Autism and ageing - new research!*
A thread summarising the main findings (sources at end)… 🧵
Autism is often thought of and researched in childhood terms but most autistic people are actually adults
So what does autism look like in middle & old age? What are our needs and challenges? (1/10)
A thread summarising the main findings (sources at end)… 🧵
Autism is often thought of and researched in childhood terms but most autistic people are actually adults
So what does autism look like in middle & old age? What are our needs and challenges? (1/10)
September 2, 2025 at 3:29 PM
*Autism and ageing - new research!*
A thread summarising the main findings (sources at end)… 🧵
Autism is often thought of and researched in childhood terms but most autistic people are actually adults
So what does autism look like in middle & old age? What are our needs and challenges? (1/10)
A thread summarising the main findings (sources at end)… 🧵
Autism is often thought of and researched in childhood terms but most autistic people are actually adults
So what does autism look like in middle & old age? What are our needs and challenges? (1/10)
Counting down the days until my 2 weeks off. Really looking forward to it and definitely feeling ready for a good break 😅
September 2, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Counting down the days until my 2 weeks off. Really looking forward to it and definitely feeling ready for a good break 😅