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Hello, friends! It's about to be December again, and you know what that means: the fact I am posting this actually before December 1 means [staff profile] karzilla reminded me about the existence of linear time again. Wait, no -- well, yes, but also -- okay, look, let me back up and start again: it's almost December, and that means it's time for our annual December holiday points bonus.

The standard explanation: For the entire month of December, all orders made in the Shop of points and paid time, either for you or as a gift for a friend, will have 10% of your completed cart total sent to you in points when you finish the transaction. For instance, if you buy an order of 12 months of paid time for $35 (350 points), you'll get 35 points when the order is complete, to use on a future purchase.

The fine print and much more behind this cut! )

Thank you, in short, for being the best possible users any social media site could possibly ever hope for. I'm probably in danger of crossing the Sappiness Line if I haven't already, but you all make everything worth it.

On behalf of Mark, Jen, Robby, and our team of awesome volunteers, and to each and every one of you, whether you've been with us on this wild ride since the beginning or just signed up last week, I'm wishing you all a very happy set of end-of-year holidays, whichever ones you celebrate, and hoping for all of you that your 2026 is full of kindness, determination, empathy, and a hell of a lot more luck than we've all had lately. Let's go.

Mental Self-Care for Autistic People

Nov. 29th, 2025 11:12 am
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[personal profile] amphobet

Notes on Self-Care for Autistic People by Dr. Megan Anna Neff

Mental Self-Care

Internalized Ableism

Some signs of internalized ableism include:

  • Doubting your abilities due to being autistic
  • Apologizing for acting neurodivergent
  • Masking
  • Internalized Stereotypes

Try to notice and challenge these thoughts as they come up.

Embrace Stimming

Stimming has many benefits.

  • Helps you focus
  • Provides control, homeostasis, comfort, and security
  • Feels soothing due to brain chemistry
  • Satisfies sensory seekers

Regulate Emotions Through Movement

Rhythmic movement like dancing, pacing, jumping, or skating helps to release pent-up energy, put you in touch with your body, and feel more grounded.

Identify your values

List your top five values, or search for an online "values card sort" such as this one. Living in sync with your values promotes positive mental health.

Engage in Your Special Interests

Some positive effects:

  • Reduces stress
  • Helps with emotional regulation
  • Helps you to feel more energetic and grounded
  • Can help you bond with others over shared interests

Professional Help

Building Your Health Care Team

  • Find professionals experienced with autistic patients.
  • Get recommendations from local autistic communities
  • When receiving healthcare, be open about your sensory sensitivities, pain, medication history, and any side effects
  • Write down a list of concerns before your appointments and refer to them during, so you don't forget anything
  • Ask to record audio of your appointments if you need help remembering
  • Make sure you are scheduling regular health check-ins and medication management appointments
  • Learn about treatment risks and benefits and work with your providers to make informed decisions

Seeking Therapy

Neurodivergent-Affirming Providers

The following are "green flags" (good signs) which may help you identify the right care provider:

  • Identity-first language. "Autistic Person" rather than "Person with Autism"
  • Statements affirming neurodiversity and respecting neurodiverse identities
  • Mentions of using an intersectional framework
  • Emphasizing your autonomy, choice, and agency in treatment
  • Offering accessability options such as flexible scheduling, sensory accomodations, and alternative communication methods

Red Flags

Here are some signs that indicate a provider may not be for you.

  • ABA - Applied Behavioral Analysis
  • Pathologizing language like "Autism Spectrum Disorder"
  • A focus on "fixing" you by curing autism or trying to make you more neurotypical

Online Resources

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