Mind ShamblesMixed emotion day. Finally, after 4 years, our middle child got their Autism diagnosis (at 15). Been a long journey but relieved. Also strange, as being the paternal parent of 2 of the 3, and 2 of 3 being Autistic, like me (guess which one is not autistic 
). Even writing this though, sat at my work desk, I still feel like I am not autistic enough to qualify, like I have snuck in without a ticket. I believe and support everyone that needs it but have impossible standards for myself, regardless of family, diagnosis etc.
Autism is a mixed bag, but like with everything, we can only keep on walking down the path (or scuffling, as my wife calls my particular brand of walking)
cybervegan@TheBreadmonkey We stopped at the Exeter Brightside on the way home from Devon earlier in the month, and after sitting down, 14YO declared "I can't stay here - it's all wrong" and we left. Explaining later, he said the whole atmosphere was too overstimulating and uncomfortable for his #autistic brain: the music was too loud, as was the colour-scheme, the chairs were uncomfortable, and it was too busy. No point arguing about it. #AutisticFamily.
Instead, we picked up some snacks from the Spar at the petrol station next door. All he could find that he could eat was a Gregg's glazed doughnut, and 12YO and I got to eat a flaky #vegan sausage roll whilst driving - I think most of the flaky pasty ended up on my jumper :-( but everyone was happier than would have otherwise been.
Autistic Book Club@KellyCDB I am looking for a counsellor to help with family therapy, it's hard to find the right person.
We had one session a while back, it was a disaster as the counsellor sided with one person (which they're obvs. not supposed to do).
Before we started having issues I did have a naive POV that because we're all Autistic, we'd understand each other.
Not the case...
It's heartbreaking.😢
Bogi TakácsWe got Mati a Paint by Sticker book for Chanukah (among other things) and he is extremely into it! He's almost finished the whole book over the past few days!
Honestly it looks super appealing, and apparently there are adult versions of the same concept. So I might try too.
So um this is my #neurodivergent surprise recommendation?
#ActuallyAutistic #AutisticFamily #RealLiveAutisticAdult (does anyone still use this hashtag?)
I've moved to @autisticbookclub There's nothing I love more than some time to myself. As long as it doesn't go on too long, because then I miss my family like crazy. #AutisticFamily
@simid @librarianknight @actuallyautistic
@simid @librarianknight @actuallyautistic
@simid @librarianknight @actuallyautistic This. I am fascinated by the discourse of other #Autistic people meeting their #SensoryNeeds ‘cos I can’t remember the last time mine were met.
It makes me feel so frazzled by the end of the day I could cry. I love my kids so much, wouldn’t change a thing but my need for silence & solitude is not compatible with a family! But if I didn’t have my family I would be so alone 🤷♀️
#AutisticFamily @actuallyautistic
It makes me feel so frazzled by the end of the day I could cry. I love my kids so much, wouldn’t change a thing but my need for silence & solitude is not compatible with a family! But if I didn’t have my family I would be so alone 🤷♀️
#AutisticFamily @actuallyautistic
@Finch @cv_cev @actuallyautistic
😔 I understand, I feel for you, we’re the same and it’s so tough.
There’s no road map to follow… I’m someone who needs to ‘have a plan’, but there isn’t one.
I can’t research or analyse myself out of this one.
I will keep on posting about this situation, at least on Mastodon.
#Covid #immunosuppressed #AutisticFamily
😔 I understand, I feel for you, we’re the same and it’s so tough.
There’s no road map to follow… I’m someone who needs to ‘have a plan’, but there isn’t one.
I can’t research or analyse myself out of this one.
I will keep on posting about this situation, at least on Mastodon.
#Covid #immunosuppressed #AutisticFamily
I've never had Covid, but my teenager has just caught it. They're staying at a friend's house, so we've had no contact but my husband is now in bed with a temp...
Being immunocompromised makes this situation quite frightening, I haven't had #Covid yet and I don't know how it will affect me.
What will life be like if we have constant re-infections because our kids want & need to go out?
If it was just me and my partner we'd be happy at home, but we have kids.
#AutisticFamily #ActuallyAutistic
@mandelbrot57 @looneybyron @BlinkPopShift @actuallyautistic Life can be so complex, especially when you’re #Autistic #ChronicallyIll and have an #AutisticFamily ! 🤯
I don’t even try to explain to people who are not Autistic
And you’re right, if you know you’re Autistic, that’s all that matters, #SelfDiagnosis is supported by the majority of the #AutisticCommunity 🙌🌈♾
#OneOfUs #ActuallyAutistic #AutismDiagnosis
@BlinkPopShift @actuallyautistic I think tasks are our biggest issue. My entire #AutisticFamily have #DemandAvoidance including me. We have not worked this out yet! We haven't had the successes that you all seem to have had, our main issue is #AutisticExhaustion
When we have tasks we can't avoid (like work) we expend our energy on them, then when we come home we leave the things we can avoid, like #cooking #chores
However they usually fall to me to do
#DivisionOfLabour #AutisticRelationship