Neurodiversity is more than just a label; it’s a spectrum of experiences, and these 10 insights will help you understand why. 1. We Need to Talk More About Neurodiversity It’s frustrating how often people think we talk too much about neurodevelopmental conditions, when in reality, we don’t talk nearly enough. As long as parents of […]
Author: Paula Tilli
It’s often said that people on the autism spectrum tend to be overly accommodating and struggle to assert themselves, and that’s largely true for me. Over the past few years, I’ve come to realize how important it’s been throughout my life to avoid being a bother. I’ve definitely gotten better at offering criticism, complaining, and […]
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When Autism Makes Things Harder
I don’t often feel down about being autistic, and as many of you know, it can also be a real strength. But sometimes, autism presents challenges others don’t face, and there are moments when I honestly wish things were different. I recently had one of those moments. Limited Support Having a fantastic support worker has […]
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Autism: Navigating Hidden Needs
As I mentioned last week, many people with autism and other disabilities need adjustments at work to truly thrive. I often think of it this way: for some, accommodations are essential to simply do their jobs, while others can manage, but at a significant cost. And of course, it varies depending on the task—sometimes we’re […]
Jeanette Johansson Asks Have you written anything about “revenge bedtime procrastination”? I can really identify with that – but how do you deal with it? Is it just a matter of accepting that you’ll be staying up late all the time? Paula Replies I may have touched on it before, but it’s always good to […]
It’s easy to confuse different types of fatigue. First, there’s physical exhaustion, which can manifest as brain fog, sleepiness, muscle aches, and similar symptoms. Another type is mental fatigue. Since autism often involves difficulties with automatic processing – meaning autistic individuals rely on factual memory for activities that others perform automatically – we are often […]
Tom Asks We have a 24-year-old son, Alfred, who lives at home. He was diagnosed with autism at 17 and also experiences depression. He’s tried medication and therapy in the past, but hasn’t found a good fit with any of the professionals he’s seen. He successfully completed elementary school, high school, and earned a bachelor’s […]
It’s common for people with autism to experience difficulties with automatic processing. Neurotypical individuals can perform tasks without consciously thinking about each step, but someone with autism may need to consciously focus on every action, as things don’t happen automatically. This requires significant mental effort, similar to solving a difficult math problem, and doesn’t allow […]
As someone on the autism spectrum, I need support workers to help me get things organized, not just keep them that way. A blog reader asked me to explain this further, and today I want to talk about the difference between setting up an organization system and maintaining it. Understanding the Need for Structure My […]
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Autism Isn’t a Problem to Solve
Have you ever noticed that some people still believe autism should be “fixed” or “cured”? It seems incredible, considering we now understand autism is a neurological difference—it’s simply how our brains are wired. A recent comment on my blog made me wonder what drives this persistent push for rehabilitation. Why is the ideal so often […]