Emily Katy
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itsemilykaty.bsky.social
Emily Katy
@itsemilykaty.bsky.social
3.4K followers 730 following 400 posts
AuDHD blogger 🌻, author of GIRL UNMASKED: HOW UNCOVERING MY AUTISM SAVED MY LIFE (The Sunday Times Bestseller) 📚 & Trustee of Autistic Girls Network 🦋
https://linktr.ee/itsemilykaty
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itsemilykaty.bsky.social
Happy belated World Book Day! Let’s talk about why it is so important (a day late…) 📚

👉🏻 reading for pleasure is at an all-time low with only 1 in 3 children enjoying reading
👉🏻 reading enjoyment is at its lowest in nearly 20 years

(National Literacy Trust)
Me standing in a bookshop looking up at the shelves of books
March 7, 2025 at 3:08 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
Today is the day!!! Girl Unmasked: How Uncovering My Autism Saved My Life (the Sunday Times Bestseller) is out NOW in paperback. 🥳

Grab a copy here: linktr.ee/itsemilykaty

Thank you to everyone who has read and recommended #GirlUnmasked. ❤️
Girl Unmasked: The Sunday Times Bestseller. Out now in paperback.
February 27, 2025 at 12:57 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
‘How being diagnosed with autism at 16 saved my life’ in @TheSun today ✍🏻

As my book and the article talks about, it’s not just the diagnosis. It’s the understanding of myself that came with that, the understanding from others and the adjustments I made in my life.
An article in Sun Health titled: how being diagnosed with autism at 16 saved my life
February 25, 2025 at 6:58 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
Autistic burnout is extreme long-term exhaustion and overwhelm triggered over time, where the stress of coping with life’s demands exceeds the autistic person’s ability to cope. They may lose the ability to carry out everyday tasks, lose skills they usually have and increased sensory difficulties.
A pink mindmap titled ‘avoiding autistic burnout’ with arrows pointing to eight small circles which read: prioritising rest and sleep, eating well and drinking enough water, identifying what consumes your energy, creating time for your special interests, connecting with other autistic people, seeking reasonable adjustments, setting boundaries and saying no more often, and scheduling recharge time.
January 29, 2025 at 9:35 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
Post meltdown self-care: It will be different for everyone, but here are some of the things I find important when recovering from autistic meltdowns and avoiding burnout.
A blue mindmap which says post meltdown self care in the centre with arrows pointing to eight small circles which read: rest and sleep, fuel your body with food, engage in your special interest, hydrate with water, refresh yourself e.g. bath or wash face, identify triggers and avoid if possible, time with no demands and be kind to yourself.
January 22, 2025 at 7:06 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
Routines help me to navigate the world. Sometimes they can be problematic but generally I know it’s my brain’s way of trying to get through the day as easily as possible.
Routines are often a source of comfort. We may enjoy them, and they might help us to organise our thoughts and process what is going on around us...Imagine if the world was extremely overwhelming, if your brain didn’t seem compatible with your surroundings and if everything that happened around you made little sense. You would want to do anything you could to make it easier for you to navigate, wouldn’t you? Doing things a certain way, having a routine and maintaining order and exactness can provide a reassurance like no other...
January 12, 2025 at 8:44 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
My top 10 books of 2024!
My top 10 books. An elephant in my kitchen, my friend Anne Frank, the institution, the invisible life of Addie LaRue, the confession room, Paris the memoir, Lily’s promise, the reappearance of Rachel price, the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo, kill for me kill for you.
December 30, 2024 at 11:31 AM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
A reminder as we near the end of 2024 and people begin sharing their yearly reflections and round-ups…try not to compare your year to someone’s you’ve read about on a screen. You are enough, I promise. 🩷
Quote reads: whatever you have achieved is enough. As you read people’s reflections on the year, try to remember that…everything you see online is a highlight reel or the bits that people feel comfortable sharing online. Try not to compare your year to someone’s you’ve read about on a screen. Whatever you have achieved - even if that is just making it to the end of the year - is enough.
December 27, 2024 at 1:08 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
And my boyfriend got me a personalised book embosser which I just think is the coolest thing ever. 📚
The book How to Solve Your Own Murder is open on the title page with an embossed personalised stamp which says ‘from the library of Emily’
December 25, 2024 at 8:57 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
Merry Christmas from me and Kaia 🐾 I got a book hamper and I could not have been more excited! 📚

Books:
• Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
• I Found You by Lisa Jewell
• The Interview by C.M. Ewan
• The Wife Upstairs, The Perfect Son, Do Not Disturb and Want to Know a Secret by Freida McFadden…
December 25, 2024 at 8:56 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
A reminder ahead of tomorrow to look after your sensory needs!!! Sensory self-care is very important especially for autistic people who are typically hyper-sensitive or hypo-sensitive to different sensory stimuli.
A spider diagram with the centre reading ‘sensory self-care’ and eight arrows pointing to eight small circles. These circles read: nature sounds or meditation soundtracks, sensory lights e.g. LEDS/star projector/lava lamp, comfy soft clothes, fans or heaters to adjust temperature, smells that you love e.g. perfumes, sensory seeking things e.g. sensory swing, noise cancelling headphones or earplugs and weighted blankets.
December 24, 2024 at 8:34 AM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
Christmas reminders (mental health edition) and helplines open over the festive period.🎄
Christmas reminders (mental health edition) graphic. It's okay if you're struggling. You're allowed to say no. You are not a burden. You are more important than other people's expectations. Christmas looks different for everyone. It's okay to take breaks. You are not alone. It’s ok if you need to just get through the day.
December 23, 2024 at 1:30 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
This has been on my bookshelf for far too long and I am so glad I have finally read it properly. This is a book which has been influential in the autism community over the past two years and rightly so. 1/4
The book Unmasking Autism by Dr Devon Price
December 17, 2024 at 9:11 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
I went to Ashridge House Illuminated last night. 🎇

I loved this lights trail - it felt calm and relaxing. There weren’t too many people and the music sound level was perfect. 🌠
December 16, 2024 at 1:12 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
The coolest #SpotifyWrapped ever… #WrappedForAuthors. And an average rating of 4.9 stars. 🥹📚⭐️

#GirlUnmasked #Autism
Spotify wrapped for authors graphic states: most rated title Girl Unmasked with an average rating of 4.9 stars Spotify wrapped for authors graphic states: top title Girl unmasked, top country United Kingdom, top age bracket 35-44. Spotify wrapped for authors graphic states: top countries. 1 is Uk, 2 is Australia, 3 is Canada, 4 is Ireland and 5 is US. Spotify wrapped for authors graphic states: listener age brackets. 35-44 is 31%, 28-34 is 27%, 45-59 is 23%, 23-27 is 15%, 18-22 is 3%, 60+ is 1%.
December 15, 2024 at 2:20 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
#GirlUnmasked is the story of my journey and my small contribution to the fight for autistic people. Thank you to everyone who’s read it this year. 💜
A quote asset with an image of my book ‘Girl Unmasked’ on a background with a purple, red and yellow streak. The quote reads: “Emily’s moving book is a powerful testimony that shines a light on the continued failure of the health services to provide any kind of meaningful improvement for autistic people.” Fern Brady, author of Strong Female Character.
December 14, 2024 at 7:31 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
Ultimately though, your needs matter and you deserve to enjoy Christmas your own way, even if that differs from other people’s ideas and expectations.
Reminders. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing. You are allowed to say no. Be kind to yourself. Routine and normality will return soon.
December 12, 2024 at 10:00 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
Tips for managing the social stuff over Christmas.
Managing the social stuff. Identify and discuss your triggers with a safe person before. Say no to things you don’t feel comfortable with. Plan time to engage with your special interests before/after. Take time out at gatherings e.g. jigsawing/reading! Leave early if you need or want to Adjust expectations - it’s ok to not do what everyone else is
December 12, 2024 at 10:00 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
Christmas tends to bring more social stuff.
Increased socialising. Socialising can take a lot out of us. There is information to process, social expectations to try to adhere to, unwritten social rules we’re trying to figure out, social scripts to remember, and an (often) overwhelming environment to try to navigate. At Christmas we tend to be expected to join in with more events/activities than usual.
December 12, 2024 at 10:00 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
Tips for managing sensory overwhelm over Christmas.
Managing sensory overwhelm. Consider your sensory needs in different environments. Use noise cancelling headphones/earplugs. Utilise fidget toys or calming techniques. Adjust expectations - it’s ok to say no. Take regular breaks in quiet spaces. Stick to your safe foods if needed.
December 12, 2024 at 10:00 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
Christmas can bring more sensory overwhelm.
Sensory overwhelm. There is a lot more sensory stuff at Christmas time - bright lights, loud music, strong smells, new tastes and expectations to wear different clothing. Autistic people’s brains process more information at once than non-autistic brains and we struggle to filter out unnecessary sensory information, meaning we can feel easily overwhelmed.
December 12, 2024 at 10:00 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
Tips for managing changes in routine over Christmas.
Managing changes in routine. Create a plan for Christmas week. Use visual aids like calendars, whiteboards and lists. Share the plan with your loved ones. Incorporate normal routines where possible. Adjust expectations - you don’t have to do everything. Ensure there is time to decompress in your routine.
December 12, 2024 at 10:00 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
There are changes in routine.
Changes in routine. Autistic people tend to rely on predictability, structure and routine to get through the day. Christmas day, Christmas week and even the lead up to Christmas brings change, like time off work/school, different activities, different expectations, a pause in normal activities, and a change in the daily routine. This can be a lot for our brain to process.
December 12, 2024 at 10:00 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
Why Christmas can be hard for autistic people.
Mind map titled: why Christmas can be difficult for autistic people with arrows leading to: changes in routine, uncertainty can increase anxiety, different foods to usual, surprise presents and expectation to react in a certain way, big gatherings and lots of people can be overwhelming, exhaustion from increased masking or processing, sensory overwhelm from loud music, bright lights and smells, increased demands/expectation to socialise.
December 12, 2024 at 10:00 PM
itsemilykaty.bsky.social
Christmas can be hard for people for different reasons. It can exacerbate feelings of loneliness, grief or low mood. Everything at Christmas seems to feel more intense - whether that’s good stuff or hard stuff. For autistic people, there can be specific challenges and things which might help.
Christmas can be hard. Christmas can be hard for different people for a variety of reasons. It can exacerbate feelings of loneliness, grief or low mood.
December 12, 2024 at 10:00 PM