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Autism-101
@autism-101.com
2.7K followers 310 following 130 posts
Autistic, ADHD, AuDHD 🧠
https://linktr.ee/autism_101
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autism-101.com
Do you ever find yourself oversharing with complete strangers in social settings?

#AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD

image: unknown
An illustrated drawing shows two stick figures. The first stick figure is opening a door to a room. The figure is wearing a hat and is smoking. The other figure is laying flat on the ground and is crying. A caption above the first figure reads, “Are you OK?”. A caption above the second figure reads, “No, I overshared at the social gathering.”
November 18, 2025 at 12:37 AM
autism-101.com
Let’s talk tags on clothing. I hate them and they annoy me to no end. And even if I cut them off, the tiny bit remaining always manages to touch me and I hate it.

Do tags bother you?

#AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic

image: unknown
Two photos are shown on top of each other. The top photo shows a persons neck with a tag touching it. It has a caption that reads, “What it looks like”. The bottom photo shows the same picture, but the tag has been replaced with a cactus. The caption reads, “What if feels like”.
November 13, 2025 at 8:12 PM
autism-101.com
Deeply grateful to the Nimoy Night Foundation for honoring my autism advocacy work with the Live Long and Prosper Tribute award.

Spock has always been a hero in the #ActuallyAutistic community. Thank you!

LLAP 🖖

#LLAPTribute #RememberingLeonardNimoy #Autism
A photo of an older white man with a beard wearing a black shirt. He is wearing a Live Long and Prosper Spock pendant with necklace and a neurodiversity infinity symbol. A note which reads: Dear Jeff, On behalf of The Nimoy Knight Foundation, Julie and are absolutely thrilled to present you with the "LLAP Tribute"! Leonard would be so proud knowing that his character "Mr. Spock" had a positive impact with so many people in the autism community! With the rise in autism, your efforts in creating awareness, removing associated stigma and being an amazing role model is so important today! And.. in the words of "Mr. Spock". ... may you "Live Long and Prosper"! Best wishes, David and Julie
October 18, 2025 at 11:28 PM
autism-101.com
Autistic Adults Services

Autistic people are often infantilized and treated like children. Autistic adults have a hard time accessing services, healthcare, and accommodations because much of society sees autism as a childhood disorder.

image: @SensoryStories
image: @SensoryStories An image with 4 panes. The title reads: Adult Autism Reality. * The first pane shows water with a hand of a person sticking out looking for help. The pane reads, “Autistic adult...” * The second pane shows another hand from above reaching towards the hand in the water looking for help. The pane reads, “Finally getting assessed for autism after a lifetime of autistic struggles” * The third pane shows both hands high five-ing each other with the pane reading, “Diagnostician: you are, in fact, autistic. Autistic adult: great, so what support can I get?” * The fourth pane shows the hand lower in the water…beginning to sink. The pane reads, “Diagnostician: wellll, all existing services are for children, so...”
July 26, 2025 at 9:11 PM
autism-101.com
I frequently have to re-read the same paragraph over and over again before it sinks in. It is really frustrating, and makes reading a book take forever. It even happens when I’m listening to an audio book.

Do you struggle with this?

img: @NoNonsenseND
A painting of a monk with a halo who is reading a book. His eyes are wide open in an exaggerated way. A caption above reads, “When you’ve read the same paragraph for the 6th time and still didn’t pay attention”.
July 16, 2025 at 8:31 PM
autism-101.com
Yep...about sums it up for me.

img credit - @NoNonsenseND
Three cats are scrunched up together with their faces touching. The Eiffel Tower of Paris is behind them with bright lights illuminating it. The first cat on the left has the word “ADHD” on it, the middle cat has the word “Anxiety” on it, and the cat on the right has “Autism” on it.
July 16, 2025 at 3:38 AM
autism-101.com
This t-shirt sums up how some autistics might feel about a social interaction. 😅
A black t-shirt with white writing that reads, “Sorry I’m late. I didn’t want to come.”
May 20, 2025 at 9:52 PM
autism-101.com
Did you know? Some autistic people can get overwhelmed by ambiguity! Give us clear, step-by-step instructions & make life easier.

#AccommodationsMatter
A photo from the film Phenomenon showing main character George Malley being tested by an offscreen scientist named Bob. George is asking Bob to be more specific, because his questions so far have been ambiguous.
November 14, 2024 at 12:58 AM
autism-101.com
Autistic love languages can look different than NT ones. We like to share experiences, may unmask around people we are comfortable with, do penguin pebbling, share a special interest, stim, or infodump.

image credit: @littlepuddins.ie
A graphic by @littlepuddins.ie shows character drawings of disabled kids and penguins representing different autistic love languages. The captions read, share experiences, unmasking, penguin pebbling, special interests, stimming, and infodumping.
September 4, 2024 at 12:15 AM
autism-101.com
What are some tasks that take a lot of effort for you to do that seem easy for others?

image: ADHD__THINGS
A photo shows a man sitting at a desk drawing. Instead of holding a pencil, the photo has the man holding a giant barbell with heavy weight on it. A title caption reads, “Visual representation of what it’s like doing daily tasks with ADHD”.
September 3, 2024 at 2:15 AM
autism-101.com
Some autistic people find making phone calls extremely stressful and unpleasant and will avoid them at all costs.

Please don’t try and force your communication preferences on others.

image: anon
#ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD
Two illustrated characters are having a conversation. The first character is trying to get the second one to phone someone and the second character doesn’t want to. Person One: CALL THEM Person Two: I SENT THEM AN EMAIL Person One: IT’S BETTER TO CALL THEM Person Two: I ALSO TEXTED THEM Person One: JUST CALL THEM! Person Two: I’LL SEND THEM ANOTHER EMAIL!
August 22, 2024 at 11:08 AM
autism-101.com
After a diagnosis of autism, some autistic people can doubt their diagnosis. Years of internalized ableism, unconscious masking, and doubts from others can contribute to a feeling of being an imposter.

Have you ever dealt with it?

image: Very Helpful Chats

#AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic
An illustration with a title of “How to be Dismissive and Invalidating: Autistic Adult Edition” shows a woman with a description above her head that reads, “You can’t be Autistic because…”. There are arrows pointing away from her to different reasons that read: You can make eye contact. You’re too empathetic. You’re female. You’re an adult. You finished school or university. You’re too smart. You don't look Autistic. You have friends, a partner or children. You have a job. You’re too normal. You don't act like my 5-year-old Autistic son nephew. image: Very Helpful Chats
August 17, 2024 at 8:37 PM
autism-101.com
An example of how businesses can be supportive to the autistic community is this sign out in front of the toy store “My Small World” located in Bath, England. 💛

Different does not mean less.

#ActuallyAutistic

image: @DanielUHarrisUK
A toy store My Small World sign reads: "We are proudly Autism Friendly. We can -turn down the music - turn down the lights - give you space to be you. We never, ever worry about - excited play - noise - outbursts - meltdown. Let us know what you need and how we can help you".
August 15, 2024 at 4:03 PM
autism-101.com
Are you accident prone?

I seem to always have at least one toe that is currently injured from me banging it into a piece of furniture.

#AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic

photo: @tahreemkhann
A picture shows four rocks of different sizes with faces carved in them. Each has the same expression, with their lips puckered liked they are saying, “ooooh”. A caption above the picture reads, “Your 4 toes watching how you hit the little one on a corner of a piece of furniture.”
August 11, 2024 at 6:14 PM
autism-101.com
Do you form deep connections with animals or do you find them unpredictable and anxiety producing?

image: @autism_sketches
ko-fi.com/autismsketches

#AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD
An illustration shows a young person sitting and holding a cat in their arms. Another cat is shown sleeping next to them. A caption reads, “Autistic Joy: Feeling an extra strong connection to my pet/animals in general”. image credit: @autism_sketches
August 5, 2024 at 12:23 AM
autism-101.com
I just watched an episode from an old TV show that reminded me of the bullying so many of us go through for being different. And sadly, often from grown adults who should know better.

#ActuallyAutistic
An image with text on it that reads, In an episode entitled “Duel of Honor” from the old TV western “The Rifleman”, an Italian count arrives in the town of North Fork. He is made fun of and treated badly because he is dressed differently than everyone, and speaks English with an Italian accent. In a scene where Lucas McCain and his son Mark are eating dinner, Mark asks him, “Why do they all treat him that way Pa?” Lucas: Well, it’s a little hard to explain son. Someone who is strange or different is often treated with cruelty. Mark: But why? Lucas: Ignorance mostly. Sometimes when people don’t understand something, they think it’s to be feared or hated. That’s wrong. But it takes a long time to learn differently.
July 29, 2024 at 12:06 AM
autism-101.com
Being autistic and ADHD is challenging. Every day you feel your brain pulling you in different directions, from routines to chaos.

What are the biggest challenges for you?

#AskingAutistics #AskADHD #AuDHD

img: u/GorillaS0up
Four pictures depict Neurotypical, Autism, ADHD, and AuDHD. The Neurotypical photo shows a picture of a man with a caption that reads, “I can do whatever”. The Autism photo shows a picture of a woman with a caption that reads, “I need routines to function”. The ADHD photo shows a picture of a woman with a caption that reads, “I function in chaos”. The AuDHD photo shows a picture of a man with a caption that reads, “Wait, you guys can function?”
June 29, 2024 at 5:27 PM
autism-101.com
Autistic folk often have a lot of other stuff they are dealing with. You can think of it as “Autism and…” because that is the reality for most of us.

Here is a list of “some” of the more common ones.

#ActuallyAutistic
A mind map illustration of autism and its many related conditions. The words "Autism and..." are at the center. * Deafness * Selective Mutism * Dsygraphia * Dyslexia * Aphantasia / SDAM * DCD * SIB * Depression * Intellectual Disability * Sensory Issues * Tinnitus * ADHD * Anxiety * Sleep Disorders * OCD * Epilepsy * GI Issues * Hypermobility / Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome * Tourette Syndrome * Nonverbal Learning * Immune Disorders
June 26, 2024 at 1:01 PM
autism-101.com
Did you know?

Some U.S. states have registries and laws requiring that mental health professionals and physicians register autistic clients. They can be fined, disciplined, or lose their license if they don't report.

#ActuallyAutistic

image: NDDoH
A graphic of a map highlights which states currently have mandated autism registries. The states include: Delaware, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah and West Virginia
June 19, 2024 at 12:39 PM
autism-101.com
Our neighbor is getting their roof replaced and the workers are slamming the old tiles into a garbage bin on the ground 😩.

TIP

If you have in-ear and over-ear noise cancelling devices, you can wear them both at the same time. Works better than 1.

#ActuallyAutistic

img: anon
A photo of the character Brick Tamland (Steve Carell) from the movie Anchorman dressed in suit and tie and wearing glasses. Brick is yelling at something or someone unseen. A title caption reads, “LOUD NOISES!!!”
June 18, 2024 at 3:34 PM
autism-101.com
I just finished watching the first season of Geek Girl by autistic creator Holly Smale. 💛

Harriet knows she is different, but doesn't yet know the reason why...but we do. 😉

Fingers crossed Netflix has the smarts to quickly green light a season 2.

#ActuallyAutistic #GeekGirl #HolySmale
Poster image from the TV show Geek Girl by autistic creator Holly Smale. It shows the main character Harriet wearing sunglasses with the words Geek Girl shown across the lenses.
June 15, 2024 at 2:38 PM
autism-101.com
Do you use subtitles? I'm using them more and more when they are available? It helps me to keep track of what's going on, and I like that I can turn the sound down when it gets overwhelming.

#AskingAutistics #AskADHD #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD
Velma from Scooby-Doo is shown searching for her glasses. A caption reads, "My subtitles. I can't hear without my subtitles…".
May 23, 2024 at 2:58 AM
autism-101.com
I read about a new detailed map of the human brain. As expected, the "normal brains" were contrasted with "disordered" ones and how eventually they might learn "what's wrong" with them.

Autistic brains are just different, not "wrong".

#ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD
A photo from the film Young Frankenstein. Igor is shown talking to Dr. Frankenstein. There is a caption that reads, "ABBY SOMEONE...ABBY NORMAL". In the photo is a glass jar of a brain with a label on it that reads, "DO NOT USE THIS BRAIN! ABNORMAL!"
May 16, 2024 at 3:12 PM
autism-101.com
Well meaning people, even from news organizations, don’t know much if anything at all about autism. Many still think of autism as a disease. 😞
A screen shot of two people in a video about autism awareness from a news site, erroneously describes autism as a disease in the video caption.
May 7, 2024 at 10:33 AM
autism-101.com
Do you ever struggle with getting bored with some routines.

#AuDHD #ActuallyAutistic #AskingAutistics

image: unknown
An illustration of a woman with three thought bubbles over her head. They read, “I love routine.”, “Until I’m bored, then I love excitement.”, “Until I’m overwhelmed, then I love routine”.
April 23, 2024 at 1:24 AM