Meeting your autistic inner child
For many of us diagnosed late, I think our inner child is under-nourished, having learned to hide their needs, or to (understandably) react disproportionately to perceived threats.
It's something I work on with my therapist. It's hard, and for me at least it takes a long time. This piece doesn't replace therapy, but it's a signpost to what that work can look like, and why it matters.
Things we don't have to keep doing
A lot of my own journey since diagnosis has been recognising the things that make me happy, and the things, the obligations, that contribute to overwhelm or burnout.
The relief when you stop doing those things is exhilarating. For me it started with going back to a 7pm bedtime.
I've put some of my own releases together in this guide:
https://www.heyasd.com/blogs/autism/things-you-no-longer-have-to-do-autistic-adult
#ActuallyAutistic #LateDiagnosed #AutisticAdults #Neurodivergent #Autism
