I'm really grateful for a lot in 2026. I've got a place to live, food to eat, and a stability I didn't have when I was younger. Finding out I had ACC was probably the biggest turning point for me. I'm glad I realized I'm different, not less or broken. It was such a huge change that in many ways, I feel like a new person, or at least I see the world differently than I did years ago. The change, for one, was an internal one, not necessarily a change in my outer life (that would

Neurodiversity is all about the idea that everyone sees and interacts with the world in their own unique way. There's no single "correct" way to think, learn, or act, and these differences aren't seen as flaws. Being 'neurodivergent' isn't an insult at all. It just means I'm not your average person; I'm unique compared to the usual crowd. Neurodivergent folks can totally rock it and achieve amazing things in all sorts of areas. Examples are Temple Grandin, Sir Anthony Hopkins

What is Theory of Mind Theory of mind (TOM) is all about understanding that people have their own thoughts and feelings. It's the ability to figure out what someone else might be thinking or feeling, (coined as mind reading) knowing that their perspective is different from yours. Many people think that TOM is missing in some neurodiverse folks, but I believe it naturally exists on a spectrum in all of us. I believe you can develop TOM, and I've noticed it in my own life. Thro

So, here’s the deal: a ton of therapies popped up before we really got a grip on what neurodevelopmental differences like autism, ADHD, and DCCs are all about. Back in the day, many of these approaches tried to "fix" the traits of neurodivergent individuals, thinking there was something wrong that needed to be corrected. And guess what? Some of that mindset is still hanging around today, which is kind of wild when you think about it. Now, neurodivergence and trauma have been

Embracing My Inner Child I’m a 64-year-old guy, but let me tell you, there’s a much younger kid hanging out inside me. I’ve got this little boy who just never wanted to grow up, and honestly, I think he's pretty cool. You know how psychologists chat about this concept of having an 'inner child'? Well, mine is alive and kicking! Sometimes, I find myself reflecting on the whole idea of the end of innocence, and it hits me hard. I can’t help but mourn for that boy who never got

Ableism is basically when everything around us is designed with the idea that there's just one "normal" way to have a body, mind, or brain, and anyone who doesn't fit that mold is seen as less capable, less valuable, or needing to be "fixed." It's not just one thing; it pops up in all sorts of ways, from the systems we deal with every day to the stories we hear and the messages we end up believing. Systemic Ableism Let’s dive into systemic ableism. This is all about the big p

What is masking and how does it develop in neurodiverse people? Masking is when someone, either knowingly or unknowingly, hides their natural behaviors and traits to fit into the neurotypical environment. When I first found out I was neurodivergent (got diagnosed with ADHD as a kid), I was told that my differences made me stand out. Never mind that I had ACC and didn't realize it. I just knew something was off (or different) about me, and the children around me could see it a

Many of us who are neurodivergent have our own special way of experiencing the world around us. Some of us are all about seeking out sensory input, others try to avoid it, and some of us do a bit of both depending on the moment. Take me, for instance—I'm super sensitive to sounds, and little repetitive noises can really get on my nerves. But I can totally blast a Bach concerto on Alexa without a problem. Also, I'm not a fan of light touches, clothing tags, or even clothes the

One of the most frustrating things I've come across as someone on the autism spectrum, , is when people casually say, "but you look normal," or brush it off with, "everyone is a little autistic." These comments, even if meant to be nice or supportive, can really hurt because they show a big misunderstanding about what it's like to live with invisible disabilities. Invisible disabilities like autism and DCCs aren't obvious at first glance. They're beneath the surface, which of

Reflecting on the Past Thinking about my past really plays a huge role in how I take care of my spiritual and mental well-being. You know, before I got diagnosed, I kind of just floated through life, assuming that other people would step in and handle things for me when I couldn’t. It sounds a bit naïve, right? But honestly, that mindset led to a whole lot of hurt feelings and misunderstandings. The Struggles of Stability For a long time, I didn’t have a stable place to liv

Journey to Self-Discovery: Navigating Adulthood and Personal Responsibility Maturity didn’t come easy for me. When I turned 18, I got kicked out of the house, but honestly, I wasn’t ready to take care of myself at all. There’s this saying about DCCs that you should “expect their teens in their twenties.” For me, it was more like my thirties, but whatever… My parents even gave me a big chunk of cash to help me 'settle down, get a job, and face the 'real' world.' At the time, I

Feeling Stuck with Work and Accommodations You know, it's kind of a tough spot to be in when you haven't worked for over 30 years. I mean, life can throw some serious curveballs, right? And then there's the whole issue with my ACC—it's like hitting a brick wall every time I try to get the accommodations I really need. It's frustrating, to say the least. Now, let's talk about the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) for a second. In theory, it sounds great! It’s all about ma