Category: Uncategorized
-
Understanding Alexithymia: The Frustration of Not Recognizing Your Own Emotions
It happened again. And it will continue to happen. And I hate it. That big, heavy feeling in my chest that I can’t describe—it sits there, weighs me down, makes me feel sick, and racks my body with what I assume is anxiety. I try all my usual coping mechanisms:✔ Exercise? Doesn’t help.✔ Sticking to…
Written by
·
-
Routine, Structure & the Myth of ‘Go with the Flow’
If you are neurodivergent (or suspect you might be), then you might be familiar with what I call The Flap. For me, The Flap describes that horrible sensation of not knowing what to do with yourself—feeling unsettled, on edge, and uncomfortable but unable to articulate exactly why. It took me 43 years of enduring and…
Written by
·
-
How to Recover from Autistic Burnout Faster
I’m still getting to grips with the fact that I experience autistic burnout, what it looks like, and how it works for me. For over a decade, I was trapped in a cycle of debilitating exhaustion, pain, and brain fog—a mysterious and unidentifiable illness that no one could fully diagnose. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Hypothyroidism,…
Written by
·
-
Parenting an Autistic Child Through Change
My kids don’t do change. At all. Before we realised they were autistic, we couldn’t fathom the endless tears, violent outbursts, and shutdowns that followed the most mundane events. A different dinner than expected? A new pair of wellies because the old ones were too small? Total meltdown. Looking back, it should have been obvious…
Written by
·
-
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,…
Written by
·
-
Helping Neurodivergent Kids Get Ready for School—My Personal Approach
If you have neurodivergent kids, you’ll likely know the joy of navigating the seemingly insurmountable task of getting them ready for the day. Simple things like getting dressed, brushing teeth, and putting on shoes can feel like scaling Everest while juggling flaming torches. In our house, mornings used to be a battleground. Large Child (5…
Written by
·
-
Understanding Autistic Overwhelm: A Personal Journey
For the last few years, I’ve been on a mission to figure out how my brain works. I like answers—clear, concrete, and definitive answers to any challenge I face. Unfortunately, this journey doesn’t come with many of those. Since my teenage years, I’ve been a tightly wound ball of anxiety and stress. It’s as though…
Written by
·
-
Handling School When Your Child Is Facing Autistic Burnout
Between Christmas and Easter during Large Child’s first year at school, things started to settle. Or so I thought. But one persistent issue kept cropping up: exhaustion. Large Child cried every day before school, saying it was “too much.” But sometimes, the cries were different—deep, guttural sobs. His face was pale, his eyes glazed. As…
Written by
·
-
Autistic Masking: What to Do When School Can’t See Your Kid Isn’t Coping
During Large Child’s first term at school, I started hearing reports that he was “coping much better.” The tears had lessened, he was staying calm, and while he was still virtually mute, the feedback was sparkling. The reality at home told a very different story. Every day after school was a battle. The moment we…
Written by
·
-
Starting School with Autism: Our Struggle and What Helped My Child Cope
When my autistic son started school, we expected excitement—but instead, we faced daily meltdowns, fear, and exhaustion. Here’s how we navigated the chaos, fought for the right support, and began turning survival into progress.
Written by
·
