Amber_PL
@amberpl.bsky.social
They/them
AuDHD advocate, researcher, support worker & peer mentor
👨💻🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲🦎💎🍲
Personal account: not speaking for employers or anyone else.
AuDHD advocate, researcher, support worker & peer mentor
👨💻🐲🐲🐲🐲🐲🦎💎🍲
Personal account: not speaking for employers or anyone else.
Interesting that, even when folks know I have a degree, some still assume there's something wrong with my logical abilities.
Sure, I'm dyscalculate & have sensory processing issues; I'm also hyperlexic & my primary logical strength: problem-solving (which, ironically, hid the dyscalculia for years).
Sure, I'm dyscalculate & have sensory processing issues; I'm also hyperlexic & my primary logical strength: problem-solving (which, ironically, hid the dyscalculia for years).
January 29, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Interesting that, even when folks know I have a degree, some still assume there's something wrong with my logical abilities.
Sure, I'm dyscalculate & have sensory processing issues; I'm also hyperlexic & my primary logical strength: problem-solving (which, ironically, hid the dyscalculia for years).
Sure, I'm dyscalculate & have sensory processing issues; I'm also hyperlexic & my primary logical strength: problem-solving (which, ironically, hid the dyscalculia for years).
Peculiar sitch a while back at friend's cafe. Customer: "latte, milk on the side". It devolved into two upset people; customer insisting it's a "very simple request", and my friend trying to explain that wasn't possible, but he could do black coffee, milk on the side.
But that wasn't good enough.
But that wasn't good enough.
January 28, 2026 at 9:42 AM
Peculiar sitch a while back at friend's cafe. Customer: "latte, milk on the side". It devolved into two upset people; customer insisting it's a "very simple request", and my friend trying to explain that wasn't possible, but he could do black coffee, milk on the side.
But that wasn't good enough.
But that wasn't good enough.
Lot of people are very confident taking benefits away will somehow make it possible for disabled people to work.
... support is not free. Disability access equipment/tools aren't free.
Also, *where* are all these jobs they keep saying disabled people should have?
... support is not free. Disability access equipment/tools aren't free.
Also, *where* are all these jobs they keep saying disabled people should have?
January 24, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Lot of people are very confident taking benefits away will somehow make it possible for disabled people to work.
... support is not free. Disability access equipment/tools aren't free.
Also, *where* are all these jobs they keep saying disabled people should have?
... support is not free. Disability access equipment/tools aren't free.
Also, *where* are all these jobs they keep saying disabled people should have?
I have a routine on our smart device that switches lights off at 10:35pm - works great.
Problem is my husband often puts music on for the lizards, but forgets to turn the volume down when he turns it off...
As a result, just as I'm going to bed, the device _hollers_: "LIGHTS! OFFLINE!"
JFC.
Problem is my husband often puts music on for the lizards, but forgets to turn the volume down when he turns it off...
As a result, just as I'm going to bed, the device _hollers_: "LIGHTS! OFFLINE!"
JFC.
December 29, 2025 at 10:40 PM
I have a routine on our smart device that switches lights off at 10:35pm - works great.
Problem is my husband often puts music on for the lizards, but forgets to turn the volume down when he turns it off...
As a result, just as I'm going to bed, the device _hollers_: "LIGHTS! OFFLINE!"
JFC.
Problem is my husband often puts music on for the lizards, but forgets to turn the volume down when he turns it off...
As a result, just as I'm going to bed, the device _hollers_: "LIGHTS! OFFLINE!"
JFC.
It's been a couple of days, but I'm still laughing: heard my husband singing something operatic, and he was holding a note that was all "Hooooooh".
You bet your ASS I _flung_ that door open and yelled "LIVES IN A PINEAPPLE UNDER THE SEA!!!"
Poor bloke almost hit the ceiling, and I ran off cackling.
You bet your ASS I _flung_ that door open and yelled "LIVES IN A PINEAPPLE UNDER THE SEA!!!"
Poor bloke almost hit the ceiling, and I ran off cackling.
December 25, 2025 at 8:26 AM
It's been a couple of days, but I'm still laughing: heard my husband singing something operatic, and he was holding a note that was all "Hooooooh".
You bet your ASS I _flung_ that door open and yelled "LIVES IN A PINEAPPLE UNDER THE SEA!!!"
Poor bloke almost hit the ceiling, and I ran off cackling.
You bet your ASS I _flung_ that door open and yelled "LIVES IN A PINEAPPLE UNDER THE SEA!!!"
Poor bloke almost hit the ceiling, and I ran off cackling.
This is what I keep saying to people (well, a variant of it); I have heard/seen/done some VERY strange things over the years, and this means I am remarkably difficult to fluster.
Note: Mum, this is not a challenge. You have an unfair advantage.
Note: Mum, this is not a challenge. You have an unfair advantage.
November 19, 2025 at 8:59 AM
This is what I keep saying to people (well, a variant of it); I have heard/seen/done some VERY strange things over the years, and this means I am remarkably difficult to fluster.
Note: Mum, this is not a challenge. You have an unfair advantage.
Note: Mum, this is not a challenge. You have an unfair advantage.
Big thanks to my uni professor who advised not travelling in this morning with concerns about flooding. Turns out that's not the reason my train was cancelled, but cancelled it was! Got a refund and an extra couple hours of lovely sleep; joined my class on Teams instead.
November 15, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Big thanks to my uni professor who advised not travelling in this morning with concerns about flooding. Turns out that's not the reason my train was cancelled, but cancelled it was! Got a refund and an extra couple hours of lovely sleep; joined my class on Teams instead.
Dame Jenkyns says "all roles require working in the office and an end to working from home" - soooooo... parents and disabled people who would (and do!) benefit from flexible working, she's just straight up forgotten they exist. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Andrea Jenkyns tells new staff working from home is not an option
Greater Lincolnshire Mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns has reiterated her stance on working from home.
www.bbc.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Dame Jenkyns says "all roles require working in the office and an end to working from home" - soooooo... parents and disabled people who would (and do!) benefit from flexible working, she's just straight up forgotten they exist. www.bbc.com/news/article...
"UNLEASH THE KRAKEN!"
and he sits there waiting for treats and pets.
"What a good boy!"
and he sits there waiting for treats and pets.
"What a good boy!"
November 6, 2025 at 8:14 AM
"UNLEASH THE KRAKEN!"
and he sits there waiting for treats and pets.
"What a good boy!"
and he sits there waiting for treats and pets.
"What a good boy!"
Apparently I'm responsible for new letters in the rainbow!
(According to person shocked to discover that asexuality is LGBTQIA+ - although the "A" _might_ be a clue, and yes considered "queer": the definition being not corresponding to conventional norms of gender and/or sexuality...)
(According to person shocked to discover that asexuality is LGBTQIA+ - although the "A" _might_ be a clue, and yes considered "queer": the definition being not corresponding to conventional norms of gender and/or sexuality...)
November 4, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Apparently I'm responsible for new letters in the rainbow!
(According to person shocked to discover that asexuality is LGBTQIA+ - although the "A" _might_ be a clue, and yes considered "queer": the definition being not corresponding to conventional norms of gender and/or sexuality...)
(According to person shocked to discover that asexuality is LGBTQIA+ - although the "A" _might_ be a clue, and yes considered "queer": the definition being not corresponding to conventional norms of gender and/or sexuality...)
I love when I send a meme to my husband, and I hear him laughing from the next room... 🥰
October 31, 2025 at 10:56 PM
I love when I send a meme to my husband, and I hear him laughing from the next room... 🥰
I heard some people whispering "are those swords?!" - turns out that, while it's illegal in the UK to carry modern-method manufactured swords, it is perfectly legal to carry traditionally forged swords.
October 30, 2025 at 5:03 PM
I heard some people whispering "are those swords?!" - turns out that, while it's illegal in the UK to carry modern-method manufactured swords, it is perfectly legal to carry traditionally forged swords.
Leaned over to the lady at the neighbouring table and complimented her on her amazing rack - it was huge and mouthwateringly good looking. "I know!" she says, "I have no idea how I'm going to get through all these ribs..."
October 28, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Leaned over to the lady at the neighbouring table and complimented her on her amazing rack - it was huge and mouthwateringly good looking. "I know!" she says, "I have no idea how I'm going to get through all these ribs..."
Facebook is now charging £3.99 a month to use their service without adverts. 😐😑😐
October 24, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Facebook is now charging £3.99 a month to use their service without adverts. 😐😑😐
Side-eyeing a study I just did for having a radically different title on the Qualtrics page chrome header to that on the actual page/study itself... It could very well be the same study, but it's gonna receive hard side-eye from me if it's not an error. Waiting to hear back from the researcher.
October 23, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Side-eyeing a study I just did for having a radically different title on the Qualtrics page chrome header to that on the actual page/study itself... It could very well be the same study, but it's gonna receive hard side-eye from me if it's not an error. Waiting to hear back from the researcher.
How depressing is this: there's now so much palm oil and so little actual cocoa, Club has _had to change the slogan_.
It's now: "if you like a lot of biscuit on your break, join our Club"...
😐😑😐
www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/lif...
It's now: "if you like a lot of biscuit on your break, join our Club"...
😐😑😐
www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/lif...
Recipe change sees Club biscuits retire iconic slogan
www.independent.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 3:14 PM
How depressing is this: there's now so much palm oil and so little actual cocoa, Club has _had to change the slogan_.
It's now: "if you like a lot of biscuit on your break, join our Club"...
😐😑😐
www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/lif...
It's now: "if you like a lot of biscuit on your break, join our Club"...
😐😑😐
www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/lif...
Ooof! Google chrome mobile "helpfully" set my browser to close inactive pages/tabs/groups after 21 days! No! Absolutely not, my ADHD brain needs all those little collections - papers for my dissertation next year, Christmas ideas, all sorts of long term tabs! Bad Google! (Changed settings.)
September 30, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Ooof! Google chrome mobile "helpfully" set my browser to close inactive pages/tabs/groups after 21 days! No! Absolutely not, my ADHD brain needs all those little collections - papers for my dissertation next year, Christmas ideas, all sorts of long term tabs! Bad Google! (Changed settings.)
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Good stuff! I'm glad to have encouraged our local service into taking off the time restrictions - because, as I put it, disabled people still need to get to work, college, uni, therapy, appointments, groups, activities...!
(And ours even have the companion element!)
Good stuff! I'm glad to have encouraged our local service into taking off the time restrictions - because, as I put it, disabled people still need to get to work, college, uni, therapy, appointments, groups, activities...!
(And ours even have the companion element!)
Call for bus pass time limits to be scrapped for disabled people
Kent County Council allows the passes to be used after 09:30, while Medway allows them from 09:00.
www.bbc.com
September 30, 2025 at 11:10 AM
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Good stuff! I'm glad to have encouraged our local service into taking off the time restrictions - because, as I put it, disabled people still need to get to work, college, uni, therapy, appointments, groups, activities...!
(And ours even have the companion element!)
Good stuff! I'm glad to have encouraged our local service into taking off the time restrictions - because, as I put it, disabled people still need to get to work, college, uni, therapy, appointments, groups, activities...!
(And ours even have the companion element!)
UK folks, weather forecast update: season has definitely changed - my ankle is aching 😆
September 30, 2025 at 7:02 AM
UK folks, weather forecast update: season has definitely changed - my ankle is aching 😆
Marking it to read later, but my initial reaction is to be mildly offended at being considered a "trade off"...
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
Autism may be the price of human intelligence
Researchers discovered that autism’s prevalence may be linked to human brain evolution. Specific neurons in the outer brain evolved rapidly, and autism-linked genes changed under natural selection. Th...
www.sciencedaily.com
September 28, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Marking it to read later, but my initial reaction is to be mildly offended at being considered a "trade off"...
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
New experience - managed to get locked in a museum. Did not perform a heist though. Turns out someone beat me to it a few years ago...
September 21, 2025 at 9:02 PM
New experience - managed to get locked in a museum. Did not perform a heist though. Turns out someone beat me to it a few years ago...
How delightfully silly - these researchers just won an IgNobel prize for determining that agama agama (rainbow lizards) favourite pizza is four cheese: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 20, 2025 at 3:43 PM
How delightfully silly - these researchers just won an IgNobel prize for determining that agama agama (rainbow lizards) favourite pizza is four cheese: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
One of the strangest moments in my training as a therapist was when a fellow student complained they hated listening to other people's problems.
I gently said: "if you don't mind me asking, what are you doing here?"
They looked at me, frowned, picked their stuff up and left.
Never saw them again.
I gently said: "if you don't mind me asking, what are you doing here?"
They looked at me, frowned, picked their stuff up and left.
Never saw them again.
September 20, 2025 at 3:11 PM
One of the strangest moments in my training as a therapist was when a fellow student complained they hated listening to other people's problems.
I gently said: "if you don't mind me asking, what are you doing here?"
They looked at me, frowned, picked their stuff up and left.
Never saw them again.
I gently said: "if you don't mind me asking, what are you doing here?"
They looked at me, frowned, picked their stuff up and left.
Never saw them again.
Dear website people - if your site tells me I either have to accept cookies or PAY to reject them (paying for privacy!) then I'm just going to block your site and never use your services - partly because consent cannot thus be freely given, and partly because the Human Rights Act includes privacy.
September 13, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Dear website people - if your site tells me I either have to accept cookies or PAY to reject them (paying for privacy!) then I'm just going to block your site and never use your services - partly because consent cannot thus be freely given, and partly because the Human Rights Act includes privacy.
Find a penny, pick it up, all day long you'll have... a penny. Probably.
September 9, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Find a penny, pick it up, all day long you'll have... a penny. Probably.