A designer who enjoys collating & organising information. Mostly tweeting about ND things.
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ALT Applying for jobs is a hell designed specifically to torment autistic people. Here is a well-paying task which you know in your heart and soul if they just gave you a desk and left you alone and allowed you to do it you would sit there and be more focused and enthusiastic and excellent at it than anyone else in the building. However, before they allow you to perform the task, you must pass through 3-4 opaque social crucibles where you must wear uncomfortable clothes and make eye contact while everyone expects you to lie, but not too much (no one is ever clear exactly how much lying is expected, "over" honesty is however penalized). You are being judged almost entirely on how well you understand these very specific and unclear rules that no one has explained. None of this has anything to do with your ability to perform the desired task.
ALT Author sits awkwardly at a desk talking to an assessor. "During my official autism diagnosis, I was forced to talk about myself. And forced to see that the things I find hard are genuinely harder for me than for many people." An image of teen author trying to speak but no words come out. Another image shows adult author speaking the autism infinity symbol. "It made me think about all the times I hadnt been able to explain my differences as a kid. And how I gave up on explaining. Now its time to be heard, with this new language I have been given." Authors bandages come undone around their mouth."This is a long process. The way in which I dont share myself is deeply integrated into my behaviour. I need to learn to stop saying yes to things that hurt my body and mind. I have to stop framing my feelings in the form of a joke. I shouldnt be saying sorry after getting upset. Little by little though, its getting easier to express my feelings. Its the brave thing to do and the right thing!"