Nicole Filippone, Autistic Advocate & Author
@sensorystories.bsky.social
Advocating through science based education, validation, and empathy
Nicolefilipponeauthor.com/my-links
Nicolefilipponeauthor.com/my-links
Pinned
If you recently discovered you might be autistic or you're a parent who recently discovered your kiddo might be autistic & you're looking to learn about autism through science and lived experience...
Hi... I'm Nicole! 👋🏻
Hi... I'm Nicole! 👋🏻
This may ruffle some feathers, but I don't think demand avoidance as it relates to autism is pathological.
This is similar to how I feel about autism and rigidity...
This is similar to how I feel about autism and rigidity...
November 25, 2025 at 4:01 AM
This may ruffle some feathers, but I don't think demand avoidance as it relates to autism is pathological.
This is similar to how I feel about autism and rigidity...
This is similar to how I feel about autism and rigidity...
I wish more people understood that most of the topics being argued about in autism awareness spaces are actually philosophical and not scientific.
What's autism?
What it says in the DSM? That would be scientific...
What's autism?
What it says in the DSM? That would be scientific...
November 24, 2025 at 3:45 AM
I wish more people understood that most of the topics being argued about in autism awareness spaces are actually philosophical and not scientific.
What's autism?
What it says in the DSM? That would be scientific...
What's autism?
What it says in the DSM? That would be scientific...
I don't know who needs to see this, but sensory sensitivities due to brain wiring differences are disabling.
What I mean by this is that some people have brain wiring that creates sensory integration issues... which causes the brain to over respond to sensory inputs.
What I mean by this is that some people have brain wiring that creates sensory integration issues... which causes the brain to over respond to sensory inputs.
November 23, 2025 at 1:45 PM
I don't know who needs to see this, but sensory sensitivities due to brain wiring differences are disabling.
What I mean by this is that some people have brain wiring that creates sensory integration issues... which causes the brain to over respond to sensory inputs.
What I mean by this is that some people have brain wiring that creates sensory integration issues... which causes the brain to over respond to sensory inputs.
Sensory sleeping is having a giant box fan on high but pointed away from you, burying yourself under a heavy blanket but with one foot sticking out, and flipping your pillow to the cool side every few minutes until you finally fall asleep.
November 23, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Sensory sleeping is having a giant box fan on high but pointed away from you, burying yourself under a heavy blanket but with one foot sticking out, and flipping your pillow to the cool side every few minutes until you finally fall asleep.
When you're autistic, your brain will literally refuse to take in information it doesn't deem useful. It's why so many of us struggle socially.
- Our brains often see small talk as useless
- When topics come up that aren't of interest (like sports, fashion...), our brains see that as useless...
- Our brains often see small talk as useless
- When topics come up that aren't of interest (like sports, fashion...), our brains see that as useless...
November 22, 2025 at 4:14 AM
When you're autistic, your brain will literally refuse to take in information it doesn't deem useful. It's why so many of us struggle socially.
- Our brains often see small talk as useless
- When topics come up that aren't of interest (like sports, fashion...), our brains see that as useless...
- Our brains often see small talk as useless
- When topics come up that aren't of interest (like sports, fashion...), our brains see that as useless...
For those who appreciate video content 🥰 #internalizedautism #autisticanxiety
November 21, 2025 at 2:13 PM
For those who appreciate video content 🥰 #internalizedautism #autisticanxiety
I've been underestimated a lot in my life. Like, a LOT. And though my autism has come with significant challenges, it has also given me an incredible ability to map patterns... especially the patterns people use to manipulate, exclude, or discredit others...
November 20, 2025 at 2:04 AM
I've been underestimated a lot in my life. Like, a LOT. And though my autism has come with significant challenges, it has also given me an incredible ability to map patterns... especially the patterns people use to manipulate, exclude, or discredit others...
Internalized autism is being held to neurotypical standards because you look completely "normal," failing to meet those standards because you're literally disabled... and being told incessantly your entire life that your behavior is unacceptable and you should have known better.
November 19, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Internalized autism is being held to neurotypical standards because you look completely "normal," failing to meet those standards because you're literally disabled... and being told incessantly your entire life that your behavior is unacceptable and you should have known better.
Internalized autism is being held to neurotypical standards because you look completely "normal," failing to meet those standards because you're literally disabled, then being told your entire life that you're not quite good enough. 😒
November 19, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Internalized autism is being held to neurotypical standards because you look completely "normal," failing to meet those standards because you're literally disabled, then being told your entire life that you're not quite good enough. 😒
"Autism isn't an excuse."
No it's not. It's an explanation.
"No. You're using it as an excuse. You should have known the thing you did was unacceptable."
Except I didn't. And I'm explaining why.
No it's not. It's an explanation.
"No. You're using it as an excuse. You should have known the thing you did was unacceptable."
Except I didn't. And I'm explaining why.
November 16, 2025 at 2:20 PM
"Autism isn't an excuse."
No it's not. It's an explanation.
"No. You're using it as an excuse. You should have known the thing you did was unacceptable."
Except I didn't. And I'm explaining why.
No it's not. It's an explanation.
"No. You're using it as an excuse. You should have known the thing you did was unacceptable."
Except I didn't. And I'm explaining why.
Being a high masking, lower support needs autistic person who has a full time job and is married with kids basically makes it so people think your challenges are a combination of poor planning, poor choices, and social incompetence rather than because you have a literal disability 🥴
November 16, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Being a high masking, lower support needs autistic person who has a full time job and is married with kids basically makes it so people think your challenges are a combination of poor planning, poor choices, and social incompetence rather than because you have a literal disability 🥴
Autistic people are not wired to be rigid.
Rigidity is a human response to the fear of our needs not being met. A logical one, even.
Because it's a mechanism that ensures our needs are met. Because when they go unmet, we suffer. Sometimes to an intolerable level.
Rigidity is a human response to the fear of our needs not being met. A logical one, even.
Because it's a mechanism that ensures our needs are met. Because when they go unmet, we suffer. Sometimes to an intolerable level.
November 16, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Autistic people are not wired to be rigid.
Rigidity is a human response to the fear of our needs not being met. A logical one, even.
Because it's a mechanism that ensures our needs are met. Because when they go unmet, we suffer. Sometimes to an intolerable level.
Rigidity is a human response to the fear of our needs not being met. A logical one, even.
Because it's a mechanism that ensures our needs are met. Because when they go unmet, we suffer. Sometimes to an intolerable level.
I think the reason autistic people struggle with unwritten social "rules" is that those "rules" are never universally applied.
Because they are not actually rules, they're more like standards that most people seem to align with. But not all... never all...
Because they are not actually rules, they're more like standards that most people seem to align with. But not all... never all...
November 15, 2025 at 12:23 AM
I think the reason autistic people struggle with unwritten social "rules" is that those "rules" are never universally applied.
Because they are not actually rules, they're more like standards that most people seem to align with. But not all... never all...
Because they are not actually rules, they're more like standards that most people seem to align with. But not all... never all...
If your autism is basically completely hidden but causes you debilitating anxiety most days... I see you. ❤️
November 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM
If your autism is basically completely hidden but causes you debilitating anxiety most days... I see you. ❤️
Neurodivergent friendship is a funny thing. You can find your people and have amazing connections with them, but be too overwhelmed with life to stay in touch, but miss them dearly and feel lonely, but be too burnt out to even send a text. 😩
November 11, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Neurodivergent friendship is a funny thing. You can find your people and have amazing connections with them, but be too overwhelmed with life to stay in touch, but miss them dearly and feel lonely, but be too burnt out to even send a text. 😩
Neurodivergence is being mocked your whole life for being "weird" because you're different, then after years of social trauma finally learning to embrace your differences only to be told "everyone is like that, you're not special" 😒🤦♀️
November 10, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Neurodivergence is being mocked your whole life for being "weird" because you're different, then after years of social trauma finally learning to embrace your differences only to be told "everyone is like that, you're not special" 😒🤦♀️
I think I know why so many people think "everyone is a little autistic"
It's because autistic needs are human needs.
Because our needs are not a different category of need. They're the same as everyone else's...
It's because autistic needs are human needs.
Because our needs are not a different category of need. They're the same as everyone else's...
November 10, 2025 at 3:45 AM
I think I know why so many people think "everyone is a little autistic"
It's because autistic needs are human needs.
Because our needs are not a different category of need. They're the same as everyone else's...
It's because autistic needs are human needs.
Because our needs are not a different category of need. They're the same as everyone else's...
Reality: Many (if not most) autistic people are living to survive. Barely coping. Some of us manage to look "fine" but are really struggling to make it through the day...
November 9, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Reality: Many (if not most) autistic people are living to survive. Barely coping. Some of us manage to look "fine" but are really struggling to make it through the day...
Criticizing a disabled person for feeling any way whatsoever about their own disability... by using "internalized ableism" as a reason... is victim blaming and invalidation.
November 7, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Criticizing a disabled person for feeling any way whatsoever about their own disability... by using "internalized ableism" as a reason... is victim blaming and invalidation.
Anyone interested in content on "pure O" OCD? This is a presentation of OCD that doesn't typically show up with overt behaviors.
Personally, I think "internalized OCD" might be a better term for it (for the same reasons I've been using the terms "internalized autism" and "internalized meltdowns").
Personally, I think "internalized OCD" might be a better term for it (for the same reasons I've been using the terms "internalized autism" and "internalized meltdowns").
November 6, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Anyone interested in content on "pure O" OCD? This is a presentation of OCD that doesn't typically show up with overt behaviors.
Personally, I think "internalized OCD" might be a better term for it (for the same reasons I've been using the terms "internalized autism" and "internalized meltdowns").
Personally, I think "internalized OCD" might be a better term for it (for the same reasons I've been using the terms "internalized autism" and "internalized meltdowns").
Let me put it this way. Disability supports are necessary to get disabled people out of survival mode. Because we can't get out of survival mode without help.
Without disability supports, we are stuck using desperate, highly ineffective, and often harmful strategies to survive.
Without disability supports, we are stuck using desperate, highly ineffective, and often harmful strategies to survive.
November 5, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Let me put it this way. Disability supports are necessary to get disabled people out of survival mode. Because we can't get out of survival mode without help.
Without disability supports, we are stuck using desperate, highly ineffective, and often harmful strategies to survive.
Without disability supports, we are stuck using desperate, highly ineffective, and often harmful strategies to survive.
Did you know...?
Autistic burnout is pervasive, long-term (3+ months) exhaustion, loss of function, and reduced tolerance to stimulus. It's described as being the result of chronic life stress and a mismatch of expectations and abilities without adequate supports.
If you know. You know. 😅
Autistic burnout is pervasive, long-term (3+ months) exhaustion, loss of function, and reduced tolerance to stimulus. It's described as being the result of chronic life stress and a mismatch of expectations and abilities without adequate supports.
If you know. You know. 😅
November 5, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Did you know...?
Autistic burnout is pervasive, long-term (3+ months) exhaustion, loss of function, and reduced tolerance to stimulus. It's described as being the result of chronic life stress and a mismatch of expectations and abilities without adequate supports.
If you know. You know. 😅
Autistic burnout is pervasive, long-term (3+ months) exhaustion, loss of function, and reduced tolerance to stimulus. It's described as being the result of chronic life stress and a mismatch of expectations and abilities without adequate supports.
If you know. You know. 😅
Empathy is not a feature of autism.
Is it impacted by autistic brain wiring? Absolutely. But it's not a feature of autism.
And I want to talk about this because this is one of the most common misconceptions I've seen about autism.
Is it impacted by autistic brain wiring? Absolutely. But it's not a feature of autism.
And I want to talk about this because this is one of the most common misconceptions I've seen about autism.
November 4, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Empathy is not a feature of autism.
Is it impacted by autistic brain wiring? Absolutely. But it's not a feature of autism.
And I want to talk about this because this is one of the most common misconceptions I've seen about autism.
Is it impacted by autistic brain wiring? Absolutely. But it's not a feature of autism.
And I want to talk about this because this is one of the most common misconceptions I've seen about autism.
Autism is a social disability
It's also a sensory disability
What it isn't is an empathy disability
Or a rigidity disability
Or an intellectual disability
Breaking this one down because not all of this is self explanatory...
It's also a sensory disability
What it isn't is an empathy disability
Or a rigidity disability
Or an intellectual disability
Breaking this one down because not all of this is self explanatory...
November 2, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Autism is a social disability
It's also a sensory disability
What it isn't is an empathy disability
Or a rigidity disability
Or an intellectual disability
Breaking this one down because not all of this is self explanatory...
It's also a sensory disability
What it isn't is an empathy disability
Or a rigidity disability
Or an intellectual disability
Breaking this one down because not all of this is self explanatory...
Autism is a social disability because most people don't have empathy for the way we communicate... yet we're the ones constantly accused of lacking empathy. Make it make sense. 😒
October 29, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Autism is a social disability because most people don't have empathy for the way we communicate... yet we're the ones constantly accused of lacking empathy. Make it make sense. 😒