Tag: mental-health
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Neurodivergent Burnout: How Misdiagnosis and Dismissal Left Me Broken for Decades
For most of my adult life, I believed there was something wrong with me. I chased answers for my constant exhaustion, pain, and inability to function like everyone else. Doctor after doctor dismissed me as “hysterical,” “lazy,” or “just stressed.” What I didn’t know was that the problem wasn’t my body failing me—it was neurodivergent…
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What My 6-Year-Old Taught Me About Emotional Regulation
The four of us sat down for a quiet New Year’s Eve meal together. This year we chose raclette — one of those meals that involves cooking at the table. The grill was hot, the table was crowded with ingredients, and the fun of sizzling bacon and melting the perfect slice of cheese began. The…
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Living With Alexithymia – Learning To Process Emotion
Living with a reduced connection to my emotions is tough. It doesn’t allow for natural emotional processing, and it leaves me sitting in turmoil I don’t even recognise is happening. How can you process emotions that you can’t see or feel? But that’s starting to change. After a year of hard work regulating my nervous…
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Autism Diagnosis As An Adult – Is It Neccessary?
The post discusses the varied experiences of individuals with autism regarding diagnosis. While some feel comfortable self-diagnosed, others seek formal diagnosis for validation. I share my own need for a definitive diagnosis due to a desire for structure. Ultimately, the choice to pursue diagnosis remains personal and valid.
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Practise Makes Positivity: Starting School With An Autistic Child
Here I write about my youngest child’s transition to school after a challenging preschool experience. His autism required careful preparation, focusing on social skills, communication, and comfort in the school environment. With tailored support, he overcame initial struggles and confidently began school. The journey emphasizes the importance of preparation and understanding autistic needs.
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Inside the Meltdown: What It Really Feels Like (From an Autistic Adult)
Ever wondered what a meltdown actually feels like from the inside? In this honest post, I share what happens in my brain and body during a full-blown autistic meltdown — from the slow build-up to the explosive release. If your child melts down and can’t explain why, this post may help you see what’s really…
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Social Success: How Stepping Back Helped My Autistic Child Leap Forward
After years of tears and overwhelm, my autistic son H asked to go on a playdate—and thrived. No meltdowns, no drama, just joy. Here’s how stepping back from social pressure created the space he needed to move forward in his own time.
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I Avoided Burnout—And Maybe You Can Too
Burnout was looming—and for once, I saw it coming. Over the past three weeks, I faced a perfect storm of stress, overwhelm, and sensory chaos… but I didn’t crash. In this post, I’m sharing the real-life strategies that helped me dodge autistic burnout, protect my mental health, and stay (mostly) functional through it all. If…
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To Push Through or Withdraw? Managing Your Child’s Stress for Long-Term Success
Knowing when to push through and when to pull back is key to supporting neurodivergent children. In this post, I share how I’ve learned to read the difference between emotional venting and true distress in my autistic and ADHD kids—and how honouring those signs has helped them thrive at school without burning out.
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How Parenting My Neurodivergent Kids Helped Me Heal My Own Childhood Wounds
Parenting can be powerful and healing—especially for neurodivergent parents raising neurodivergent children. Here’s how one camping trip reminded me of how far we’ve come.
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