Category: autism
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Stuck in the Mud: Why Routine Changes Feel Like an Existential Crisis
There I was, wandering the supermarket aisles, headphones in, half-listening to a podcast about yet another debate between globe believers and flat-earthers (yes, people still argue about this). It was all going smoothly—until I caught the chaotic train of thoughts bubbling up in my brain every few minutes: “We need to hurry up because we…
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Autistic Overwhelm and the Masking Dilemma: To Fake It or Take a Break?
The playdate was a rare occasion—my kids actually asked to meet up with friends. Naturally, I was shocked but determined to make it work. So, there I was, chatting with another mum. She was lovely—warm, easy to talk to, and genuinely kind. And yet, I felt anything but comfortable. In the lead-up to this meeting,…
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Are We Friends? Navigating the Unspoken Rules of Connection as an Autistic Adult
Throughout my life, I’ve often been caught off guard by a particular sentence: “Of course we’re friends, you’re one of my favourite people!” Each time, my reaction is the same: Huh? We’re friends? I thought you just tolerated me? I’ve always struggled with the concept of friendship. It felt too intricate, too full of unwritten…
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When Words Don’t Register: Navigating Communication Challenges as an Autistic Adult
It happened again. I thought I was being helpful—no, super helpful. My friend was facing a tricky, time-sensitive task, and I sprang into action. I made adjustments, grabbed my laptop, and got to work, doing what I do best: efficient research and problem-solving. As I worked, I checked in regularly, asking for their input at…
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Time Out: Knowing When Your Neurodivergent Child Needs a Break
The day started innocently enough: a quiet house, a warm coffee, and the comforting nonense of a podcast debating whether the earth is flat in the background. But that serenity was shattered by a sound I’ve come to know all too well—wailing from upstairs. As I paused my podcast and set down my coffee, I…
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Tidy Mind, Tidy Life: Reclaiming Order as an Autistic Adult
As a parent of autistic children and an autistic adult myself, I’ve had countless “aha!” moments over the years as I’ve recognised traits in my kids that I dismissed or misunderstood in myself as a child. One of the most striking parallels has been the profound need for order and how its absence can lead…
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From Lunchbox Meltdowns to Lunchroom Success: Our Journey
If you’ve got autistic kids in school or preschool, you’ve likely witnessed the great lunchbox standoff: carefully prepared meals returning home untouched, school dinners rejected outright, and a hungry, dysregulated child melting down at the end of the day. It’s not just about being picky or fussy; for many autistic children, lunchtime can be a…
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Think You Don’t Have Autistic Meltdowns? Here’s Why You Might Be Wrong
You don’t have to scream, cry, or collapse to be having an autistic meltdown. For years, I thought meltdowns were something that happened to other people—until I realised my daily irritability, supermarket rage, and sudden shutdowns were my reaction to overwhelm. Here’s what it really looks like, and how I finally connected the dots.
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Waking Up From Burnout and Battling Executive Dysfunction
For most of my adult life, I believed I was physically unwell. Diagnosis after diagnosis—chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, mystery neurological issues, and hypothyroidism—painted a bleak picture. Doctors would tell me to “just lose weight” or “eat better,” as if my crippling brain fog, exhaustion, and muscle pain would magically disappear. What they missed was the…
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School Success for Autistic Kids: How Parents Can Become the Ultimate Advocates
When my kids started preschool, I realised I was not your average parent. While some might feel overwhelmed by behavioural challenges, I go full Poundland Sherlock Holmes. Every issue sends me into a whirlwind of research, piecing together clues and obsessively problem-solving. I’ve come to embrace this as my way of supporting my kids. But…
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