neurodiversity Archives - A Way Illuminated

The Crushing Weight of a Word: Navigating Autistic Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria

Jul 5, 2025

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It can start with something so small. A message left on ‘read’. An exclamation mark that feels… off. A fractional shift in someone’s tone of voice. For me, that’s all it takes for the spiral of autistic rejection sensitive dysphoria to begin. My mind, which I’ve learned through mindfulness practice should know that thoughts aren’t…

My Autism Diagnosis Journey: How I Found Out I Was Autistic as an Adult in the UK

Jun 15, 2025

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by

Mark

in My Evolving Path

If you’re here, you might be asking yourself a question that, until recently, was a constant in my own mind: “Am I autistic?” It’s a profound question, and figuring out the answer can feel like navigating a maze without a map. I wanted to share my autism diagnosis journey with you, in the hope that…

Green Companions: Plants- My Autistic Special Interest

Jun 10, 2025

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by

Mark

in Mind, Growth & Wonder

Discover how a lifelong love for plants blossomed into a cherished autistic special interest.

My Autistic Fear of Being Late: A Journey with Time

Jun 2, 2025

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by

Mark

in My Evolving Path

For many autistic individuals, the concept of time can be a significant source of anxiety. This post explores a personal journey with a pathological fear of being late, the elaborate coping mechanisms developed (like being aggressively early), and how a late autism diagnosis brought understanding and self-compassion to this lifelong “quirk.”