Tag: social anxiety
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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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Birthday Party Panic: Why Social Events Can Overwhelm Autistic Kids
A conversation over the weekend made me realise just how much misunderstanding still surrounds autistic kids and social events. As an autistic adult raising two neurodivergent boys, I often forget that what feels completely natural to us can be baffling to others. So, let me paint a picture. My 6-year-old, H, was thrilled to be…
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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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Finding Acceptance: My Social Journey with AuDHD
The author reflects on their challenging experiences with socialization as an AuDHD individual. They recount feeling tolerated rather than included, facing bullying, and navigating workplace social dynamics that led to mental health struggles. Ultimately, through connecting with accepting peers, they rediscover their identity, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections and self-acceptance.
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How Do I Human? Discovering I’m Neurodivergent After a Lifetime of Misunderstanding
For years, I thought I was just broken—too intense, too sensitive, too much. It wasn’t until I discovered I’m both autistic and ADHD that everything finally made sense. This is the story of how a lifetime of misdiagnosis, burnout, and self-doubt led to a life-changing moment of clarity—and the start of finally understanding how to…
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