Hi friends! Ripples is my round-up of stuff I find while chronically online.
Am I autistic? Honestly, I donāt know. Maybe?
Before I found out I was ADHD, I researched autism a lot. I looked into the āfemaleā presentation of autism (more on that below). I followed āactually autisticā people to gain a window into their experiences. And often? I couldnāt always relateā¦
While I have a lot of crossover traits (sensory sensitivities, monotropic interests) Iām still not sure. I donāt struggle with alexithymia or unwritten social rules. I took the RAADs test and was right on the border.
I believe ADHD better describes my traits and experience. But I sometimes still do wonder if Iām also autisticā¦
Either way, Iām incredibly grateful to autistic creators for sharing their insights. Without them, I never would have begun investigating my own neurodivergence and learning more about myself.
So this month I want to shine a light on some amazing autistic writers!
Hereās everything I loved in May:
ā ļø This definitely made me reconsider the āfemale presentationā of autismā¦
āWhat ifāinstead of focusing on gender as the sole differentiator of the autistic experienceā we focused on identifying behaviors and traits of autistics with a wide range of complex intersectional identities that exist outside the āstraight, white, rich, maleā default weāve historically been presented with?ā
Is "Female Autism" its own separate thing? by
ā ļø In the last few years, I have for sure questioned my unconventional neurodivergent path in life. This was a lovely reminder to drop the comparisonitis.
āYour life is worthy of celebration, even if it does not conform to the picture we were sold.ā
For when you're feeling "behind" by
ā ļø Isnāt it fascinating that under capitalism, neurodivergent hyperfocus is considered the ābadā kind of flow?! /sarcasm
āBut the thing about hyperfocus isā¦ itās triggered by interest, and itās very hard to fake yourself into interest that isnāt genuine. Interest, too, doesnāt necessarily align with productivity goals.ā
The Politics of Flow and the Experience of Hyperfocus by
ā ļø Speaking of hyperfocus, this cover of Linger by Royel Otis is on repeat. Oof, his voice gives me goosebumps āØ
ā ļø Iāve loved Morganās insightful art for years. And for good reason. Turns out that when you embrace and accept your neurodivergence, magical things can happen.
āFragmented, constellational, and representative of the divergent way I think. I had been doing this for ten years but I just didnāt have a name for it.ā
ā ļø Plus here are a bunch more neurodivergent creators I love!
7 Neurodivergent Educators On Social Media We're Grateful For
Thatās it from me! What did you love in May? Or do you have something you wrote about neurodivergence/mental health that youād like to share in next monthās Ripples? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Birthday! š
I'm so glad my writing helped soften some of that loud voice within. Thank you for the mention š