Autism medical alert cards are a thing! I found mine on Etsy, and you may want to grab one too.

Many of us high-masking autistics probably haven’t thought about having something like this, but there are good reasons we should consider it, one of which highlighted on this very card, which is why I bought it:

“Do not assume because I look ‘normal’ that I am not in crisis.”

So many of us have had the experience of being pressured to process input and respond to it faster than our brains can do it, and that pressure exacerbates the problem. If we otherwise seem “normal”, people are less likely to be understanding about what’s happening, and they may make unfair and sometimes downright judgmental assumptions.

When I was about 19, I had a meltdown in the middle of a therapy session. Neither I nor my therapist understood what was happening, so she panicked and called an ambulance. By the time I was in that ambulance, I was almost entirely calm, and the ambulance driver was understandably confused. At the hospital I remember hearing him tell someone “she’s just sad.” It was a humiliating day that resulted in a devastating bill.

I feel safer knowing I have this card on my lanyard. (My lanyard is my totem!) If I’m acting strange in any way, or need help, the card will not only provide context to overwrite their assumptions, but also information on how to treat me appropriately.

Plus - maybe they’ll learn something about autistic people in general that they’ll carry forward into their lives! 😁

#actuallyautistic #asd #autism #selfadvocacy #highmasking #unmasking

-memory tests, words that start with the letter blank, etc.

These tests seem straightforward, but are designed to be frustrating. I am #HighMasking and the emotional response these tests illicited was very difficult for me. I cried several times, which added to my stress.

The interview portion was also extremely difficult emotionally.

#Grief is a normal part of the #diagnosis of any #disability and/or #neurodivergence so please be gentle with yourselves

#Autism #NeuroPsychEvaluation

Do you struggle with getting in touch with your #AutisticSelf in light of your new self awareness or dx? Have years of #HighMasking left you in isolation from your autistic self? Would you like to work on these along with other #ActuallyAutistic comrades?
https://www.theautisticcoach.com/autistic-group-coaching-finding-your-autistic-self

Reminds me of last time I spoke to psychiatrist about gender dysphoria and he said "but you're dressed normally"

RT @hmm_cook@twitter.com

You might be #HighMasking if you go to the doctor or dentist and force yourself to dress and talk and act "normal" in hopes they'll take you seriously.

#ActuallyAutistic #AutisticTwitter #ADHDTwitter #AuDHD #Neurodiversity #AutisticBurnout

🐦🔗: https://twitter.com/hmm_cook/status/1598521897783803905

I feel so called out. Ouch.

RT @hmm_cook@twitter.com

You might be #HighMasking if someone asks you what you need/want and you genuinely have no idea.

#ActuallyAutistic #AutisticTwitter #ADHDTwitter #AuDHD #Neurodiversity

🐦🔗: https://twitter.com/hmm_cook/status/1590892065029689344

RT @hmm_cook@twitter.com

You might be #HighMasking if you finally manage to do the household chores when you're home alone, or when everyone else is asleep.

#ActuallyAutistic #AutisticTwitter #ADHDTwitter #AuDHD #Neurodiversity

🐦🔗: https://twitter.com/hmm_cook/status/1590185769452580864