(Source: me on twitter)
*Though, this really only applies to more smaller tasks (such as doing the dishes). Giving very specific instructions for more complicated tasks can confuse and bewilder us more.
** And yes, ADHDers can take things literally too. Its not much of an issue for us as autistic folks though.
One of the best explanations I’ve been able to come up with for why autism messes with your sleep schedule is that your brain prefers you to be awake when it is darker and more quieter out. A more nocturnal schedule has a lot of sensory benefits for autistic people:
Fewer people around, less noise
Less bright/glaring light
Generally a calmer environment
Which would work fine if we were living in a world where capitalism hadn’t made alternate sleep schedules so untenable because of “profit.” In a different society this sort of quality could be valued (“no I don’t mind tending the herd at night, you find it hard to stay awake but I find it peaceful,” and so on). But not in this one. And that’s not a failing of biology, or neurology. That’s a failure of society. The fact that so many neurodivergent people struggle with keeping an 8 to 5 schedule is another symptom of intrusive capitalism microcontrolling our lives, not a personal “weakness” or shortcoming.
as an autistic person, can i just say that Charles Babbage aka “father of the computer” was totally one of us and also his vendetta against street music & organ grinders was VALID
29 | asexual aromantic agender | she/they/its sie/dey/es I like Bob's Burgers, knitting, sewing and reading
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