Do autistics have fast reflexes?

I seem to have them even in my middle age. I mean like dodging fast things coming at you or avoiding crashing into things, etc.

Wondering if this is a thing with autistics or just with people with ptsd ;-)

#askingautistics #actuallyautistic

#AskingAutistics Shakespeare; opinions?

I'm a bit of a fan. I don't know all the works, I can't quote anything, but I enjoy watching productions & reinterpretations, & loved studying Shakespeare at school way more than a lot of other compulsory literature.

But I know Shakespeare can be hard to parse. I don't always follow what's said, especially with some more idiosyncratic productions. So, just wondering; what are my fellow autistics' experiences of The Bard's works.

If the universe changed in one fundamental way, and the only thing that changed was you were not able to access those negative thoughts, what else would be different?

#AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD #Autistic #Anxiety

For Autists who love sci-fi, which franchise do you love/like the most (or dislike/hate the least)?

Feel free to share reasons in the comments if you wish. This is not a debate about which is better, just a check on if there is a divergence in the demographic.

Also, adding a “both” option for you “why not both?” folks.

#AskingAutistics #StarTrek #StarWars

From Laurie Penny, a journalist I've followed for some time. Here's her account of being one of us, and the consequences of finding that out, that have affected us all.

https://observer.co.uk/news/first-person/article/laurie-penny-autism

#AskingAutistics
#ActuallyAutistic
#ADHD
#AuDHD
#neurodiversity #ND

@hosford42 If it was in any way true that the “feedback” was transformative, it wouldn’t have taken them this many years to do something about it. They’ve continued to operate as a hate group for all this time. The criticism has remained the same because their hateful actions have stayed consistent over time.

The only thing they can do to redeem themselves is to spend every last dime they have correcting every hateful thing they did until they are out of money and then shut their organization down permanently.

The question I have is what motivation #Forbes has for laundering their reputation.

@actuallyautistic
#ActuallyAutistic
#AskingAutistics
#AutismSpeaks

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferpalumbo/2025/05/06/autism-speaks-from-criticism-to-inclusion-and-a-future-of-listening/

I'm curious to get my fellow autistics' take on this article. What do you think? Can Autism Speaks be redeemed? Is their change in direction genuine and legitimate? Is it enough?

@actuallyautistic
#ActuallyAutistic
#AskingAutistics
#AutismSpeaks

Anyone know how's Might Be Autistic? They deleted their accounts everywhere. #AutisticActually #AskingAutistics

If you stay small, if you don’t rock the boat, if you don’t make waves, if you don’t break out of the mold – who doesn’t have to change? Who benefits? Who gets off the hook?

#AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD #Autistic #NeuroDivergent #Neurodiversity

I need help with a difficult social situation. My team at work is working with another group overseas. I am the lead MLE, and I've been out sick for last of the last two weeks. I came back to find that the overseas group is treating another team member as if he is the authority when it comes to our MLE decisions.

The overseas team knows that I'm autistic. I'm concerned that they've decided that my experience is negated by the fact that I'm autistic. It feels like a situation similar to what I hear many women complain about: That even when they are the authority on a subject, people turn to the man sitting next to them and ask him questions instead, as if he knows better. My question is, how do I broach this with the overseas team, in a way that makes it clear that I'm the lead and should be consulted on these matters, without implying incompetence in my (rather awesome) team mate.

Happy to hear from anyone who has experience with this, autistic or not.

#ActuallyAutistic
#AskingAutistics
@actuallyautistic

Do any #autists out there have experience of living with & caring for a relative with end-stage #dementia?

I'm finding it very difficult. Any tips or advice, please? 🙏

#AskingAutistics
#ActuallyAutistic
#ADHD
#AuDHD
#dementia
#carer

#AskingAutistics Do you know how to flirt (whether you actively do it or not these days). This topic of #Flirting came up at our #AutismSupport group last night when someone asked advice on flirting. That made me realize that it's something I've never done.

I have always been able to show interest in a person I like when first meeting them, but they ALWAYS had to do the flirting and make the moves.

If I’m truly interested in a person and I feel a connection from under the mask (like my #IntenseInterests, I sometime let my true self show and that would be as close as flirting as I could get.

How about you #ActuallyAutistic folks out there?

@AnarchoNinaAnalyzes
It's not just about the autistic children. These policies will either directly apply to autistic adults or spill over to autistic adults. Many of us are terrified not just for our children, but for ourselves as well.

If you ever want to consult us for our own viewpoints on issues that directly impact us, #AskingAutistics is a great way to do so.

#ActuallyAutistic #Autism #USPol

What's the best intro to #neurodiversity and #autism material you know of? I feel like it's even more important to do outreach and education now than ever before. I'd guess RFKjr's anti-autism rant this week set us back years in public education and acceptance, so we have to up our game now and fight back with better information.

So what's good material for doing outreach? There is so much misunderstanding, and I just want people to know autism isn't all those awful things Kennedy spewed lies about, and we aren't a danger to anyone. I have my own few favorites I use, but I'd love to see what other folks like.
#ActuallyAutistic #AskingAutistics

"Autistic Inclusive Meets groups: a safe place for Autistic people to flourish"

https://www.thecanary.co/long-read/2025/04/14/autistic-inclusive-meets/

#AskingAutistics
#ActuallyAutistic
#ADHD
#AuDHD

Does anyone know of any formal medical descriptions of how autists use language, & how we differ from NTs in this way? I have searched everywhere, & can't find anything.

We think and speak differently, but no formal recognition.

#AskingAutistics
#ActuallyAutistic
#ADHD
#AuDHD
#AskingADHD

"...being an #autist places strains on you that #NTs don't have or recognise, so they don't even realise they exist. But we know, because of the #emotional #exhaustion, if nothing else." — Me, to a friend who has recently discovered they are #AuDHD

#AskingAutistics
#ActuallyAutistic
#ADHD
#AuDHD

#AskingAutistics

How are you engaging with your special interests today/this week?

I'm scanning for snails and shells even more eagerly than normal on my morning walk. Hopefully spring will mean seeing more of them soon 🤞🐌

Also, watching Star Trek and Taskmaster as usual!

#SpecialInterestsHeal

I've been thinking about how autism is considered a medical condition... but how many of us have ever seen a medical professional about our autism, except in the process of being diagnosed?

Have you? If so, who?
(Would appreciate sharing for wider reach)
#ActuallyAutistic #AskingAutistics @actuallyautistic

#AskingAutistics

Anyone ever burn out on a special interest?

Curious, because it almost feels like if it were a special interest, you couldn't burn out on it. But I don't know...thoughts?