Mental Health and Motherhood

In the UK suicide is the leading cause of death amongst new mothers, so why aren’t we talking about how hard it can be?

Mental Health: Autism

I take my mental health very seriously; I’m an autistic perfectionist whose favourite pastime is self-criticism, so I have to. I have the additional issue that if someone’s praise of me is implied rather than explicit, it doesn’t exist, which makes my mind a perfect-storm of self-doubt. I am someone who takes great pride in … Continue reading Mental Health: Autism

Autistic Life Hacks

11 Autistic Tips for every day life

Welcoming Accessibility

I am aware of my autism. Sounds are grating, they twang through my ears like over-extended elastic bands, and I wait for them to snap and hit me. I have things to plan, and I am putting off planning them so that I don’t miss out on what is actually happening now. I don’t … Continue reading Welcoming Accessibility

Performing Pain: Autism

Communicating pain when you are autistic can lead to so many miscommunications.

The Four Social Rules every Autistic Person needs to Learn

Trigger warning - although this post doesn’t mention any detail of abuse, it is about the dangers of teaching someone not to trust in their right to say no From a young age I was taught three things:- The messages I get from my body are wrong Not wanting to be touched is wrong That … Continue reading The Four Social Rules every Autistic Person needs to Learn

Accessible Autism

Access to services doesn't just mean that services need to exist, it means we need to be able to access them. I'm not good at contacting people. That is an enormous under-exaggeration. I am terrible at contacting people. If it needs to be done by face or by phone, I may never do it at … Continue reading Accessible Autism

Safety Nets

When I first got my diagnosis of autism, I was assured by the experts that nothing was different. I was still the same me that had walked through the door. And I agreed. When I told family about my diagnosis, I told them it didn't change anything, I was still me. And they agreed, When … Continue reading Safety Nets

Post-diagnosis support: The real and the invisible.

I'm feeling a bit unsupported. I don't think that's anyone's fault as such. Certainly no one I can point at, it's more of a vague fist-shake in a general direction. Funding is always at fault though, so the lack of government funding has directly affected my journey. We can start that at the 18 month … Continue reading Post-diagnosis support: The real and the invisible.