Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity

by Devon Price

When we accept the unique features and strengths of our communication style, we can also feel a lot less socially inept and disempowered.

Reduced Sensory/Social Load • Having no expectation of eye contact during intense conversations

Allowing people to express emotions and opinions via text, email, or handwritten note

Giving people time alone to reflect on their feelings and beliefs

Learning to recognize fawning, and signs of an upcoming meltdown • Providing frequent breaks from socializing, or q...

Autistic candor

The most crucial part of her unmasking process has been openly admitting what she is and isn’t capable of, and letting people deal with it.

Throughout history and across many different cultures, most individuals did not cook for themselves.[13] Food was prepared communally, or by specialized workers, because it was a labor-intensive, time-intensive task.

Values-Based Integration exercise

final (and I believe crucial) piece of this puzzle is resetting your expectations about what a normal or healthy Autistic life looks like. The best way to normalize your neurotype is surrounding yourself with other Autistic and disabled people, taking in the rich diversity of our community and learning to appreciate the many unique ways that we live.

“What most normal, kind of vanilla people don’t understand,” Tisa says, “is that the kink world is just full of Autistic nerds.

I used to shy away from nerdy communities, or from socializing with anybody who couldn’t hide their awkwardness as well as I could. I was trying my damnedest to seem as normal and neurotypical as possible and feared that if I even stood near someone who violated society’s rules, I’d be outed as the freak I secretly was.

site: https://autisticadvocacy.org/​get-involved/​affiliate-groups/

On reddit, the group r/AutismTranslated is a great place for in-depth discussions, resource sharing, and exploring an Autistic identity. I also enjoy r/Aspergers and r/AspieMemes, and r/AutisticPride is very active.

A great way to meet like-minded neurodivergent people is by joining communities devoted to a special interest you both share. Search online to find local comic book groups, D&D groups seeking new players, anime or cosplay clubs, foraging groups, hiking groups, or clubs devoted to anything that interests you.

Many people who are categorized today as disabled or mentally ill might have functioned just fine outside of an industrialized capitalist economy.

Our ways of living and of caring for each other are so numerous, and haven’t always been as atomized as they are today.

Common, Healthy Autistic Behaviors Intense studying of a new favorite topic Not noticing sounds or social signals when focusing on an engrossing task

Needing to know exactly what to expect before entering an unfamiliar situation Sticking to a very rigid schedule, and rejecting deviations to that schedule Taking a long time to think before responding to a complex question Spending hours or days alone sleeping and recharging after a socially demanding event or stressful project Needing “all the information” before coming to a decision Not knowing how they feel, or needing

a few days to figure out how they feel about something Needing a rule or instruction to “make sense” before they can follow it Not putting energy toward expectations that seem unfair or arbitrary, such as wearing makeup or elaborate grooming

Before I knew I was Autistic, I imposed a lot of rules on myself, to help me “pass” as neurotypical. One of them was that I could never buy a piece of furniture I couldn’t move by myself. Self-sufficiency meant I

could pack up and leave at any time. To ask for help or to lead a richly interdependent life would be akin to painting the words weak and pathetic on my body in bright crimson letters. I lived in such a way that no help was required.

was so afraid of upsetting other people that I didn’t risk standing up for what I believed in and didn’t indulge in anything that gave me pleasure.

When I was in the closet (about both my transness and my Autism) I used to be shrinking and defensive. My whole existence was an apology for who I really was.

Now I draw strength from who I truly am, and I aim to be a shield for others: a steadfast, brave presence that confronts the world head-on, and tries to shelter those who need it.