Tag: overwhelm
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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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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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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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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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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…
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