Notices by Dr. Figuring-things-aut (autisticdoctorstruggles@mas.to)

@quidcumque @Zumbador yes, this is exactly what I preach at work as well, if you don't want to disclose, be specific about the need you need support with instead. And when managers ask how to talk about it with who they suspect to be neurodivergent I say, just ask the person what their bottlenecks or energy drains are where you can support them!

@freemo would disagree that autism/ADHD is a disorder, also it seems most of the ppl considered "high-functioning" are struggling.

You definition also means that a perfectly accommodated person has lost the disorder, which makes no sense to me.

@freemo
They are different brain wiring though -whether or not you happen to live a life that disables you doesn't change the fact that you run a different "operation system".
I think this view plays into the pathologizing view of conditions like ADHD and autism. The harm in not "putting people on the spectrum" is perpetuating harmful preconceptions about them & what they mean for one's life. They also prevent people from having insights into how their brain works, should difficulties arise.

@freemo Functioning labels are not very useful, they are often used to dismiss autonomy or infantalize high-support need autistics. I've also heard many "high-functioning" autistic ppl/AuDHDers say that they're just high-masking & considering them high-functioning usually bars them from accessing support, so they struggle in silence. I'm that. I'm just one step away from burning out at all times but I'm highly educated,have job, partner, home, so am considered "high-functioning".

@twan @youronlyone @autistics @actuallyautistic 🙈 ouffff! So sorry to hear about your experiences! I am openly autistic at work and active in a Neurodiversity employee resource group but still I am wondering if I am being too open, if it will come back to bite me.

@youronlyone @autistics @actuallyautistic yes! to this point as well, I am not sure I even know how to unmask (yet) in many situations. Doesn't make me less autistic just less visible. Being "openly autistic" while masking also illustrates that autistic people may exist around us without us knowing it.(And without them knowing sometimes too)

@youronlyone @autistics @actuallyautistic I think it's point 2) for me. Someone who isn't afraid to share they are autistic. Unmasking is not required for that.