Confused about autistic inertia vs ADHD task paralysis? Learn the difference, how to tell, and why you’re not lazy if you’re AuDHD. If you’re AuDHD, you may find yourself asking: Why can’t I start tasks? Why do I freeze when I care so much? Is this autistic inertia or ADHD task paralysis? Or am IContinueContinue reading “Autistic Inertia vs ADHD Task Paralysis: Why it matters when You’re AuDHD”
Author Archives: Ali
Autistic identity after late diagnosis: Who are you really?
If you’re a late diagnosed autistic adult, or someone who has recognised or is in the process of realising you are autistic, you might feel as though someone has quietly rearranged the furniture of your identity. The diagnosis can bring relief, clarity and validation – and also confusion. If so much of your life hasContinueContinue reading “Autistic identity after late diagnosis: Who are you really?”
How to start unmasking without blowing up your life
How to unmask autism safely (without burning bridges or burning out) If you’ve spent years masking, the idea of unmasking can feel equal parts liberating and terrifying. You might long to feel more like yourself, and at the same time worry about what will happen to your work, relationships, or reputation. If you’re wondering howContinueContinue reading “How to start unmasking without blowing up your life”
Autistic stimming and shame: What no one talks about
You may have been told before – possibly many times – to stop stimming. If you’ve ever been told to “stop fidgeting”, “sit still”, “calm down”, or “don’t be weird”, this is for you. If you’ve learned to clench your jaw instead of flap your hands…To dig your nails into your palm instead of rocking…ToContinueContinue reading “Autistic stimming and shame: What no one talks about”
Autism and masking in adults: How to recognise signs
If you’re autistic (or wondering whether you might be), you may have heard the word masking. You might even have thought, “I don’t think I mask… I’m just coping like everyone else.” But masking can be subtle. It can feel normal. It can feel necessary. And over time, it can become so automatic that youContinueContinue reading “Autism and masking in adults: How to recognise signs”
The hidden links between inattentive ADHD and binge drinking
If you live with inattentive ADHD, you might have a complicated relationship with alcohol — maybe it’s been a way to unwind, fit in, or switch off from the constant noise of your own mind. You might even find yourself in cycles of binge drinking that you didn’t intend, leaving you wondering why it keepsContinueContinue reading “The hidden links between inattentive ADHD and binge drinking”
PDA: More than avoidance, it’s a fight for autonomy
When you hear the term Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), it can sound heavy, clinical, and perhaps even a little stigmatising. An alternative way to look at it is through the lens of a Persistent Drive for Autonomy. This shift in framing allows us to focus less on what’s ‘wrong’ and more on what’s being expressed:ContinueContinue reading “PDA: More than avoidance, it’s a fight for autonomy”
How to use momentum to fuel your motivation
We all have days when getting out of bed feels like scaling a mountain. When motivation is fleeting, it’s tempting to wait… until tomorrow, until “the mood strikes,” until some external muse arrives to save you. But the truth is, you don’t have to wait for motivation to magically appear. You can generate it yourselfContinueContinue reading “How to use momentum to fuel your motivation”