For some, the thought of summer brings feelings of freedom, joy, and endless relaxing and fun with friends. For me, it’s a never-ending onslaught of exhaustion. Let me explain. For my family, summer is filled with birthdays, weekends at the lake camping, and summer get-togethers with friends and family. Almost every weekend is scheduled, whether…
Summer is supposed to be fun—sunshine, festivals, cookouts, and vacations. But if you’re neurodivergent like me, summer can also feel like an assault on every one of your senses. The heat, the crowds, the chaos? It’s like a sensory buffet you never asked for. If you’re feeling frazzled by the fireworks and overstimulated by sunscreen…
Because we have to start somewhere. Autism was never on my radar for the past 34 years. Not once. Sure, I had full blown panic attacks during thunderstorms well into my twenties (and still do, just severely repressed). Everyone has something they’re afraid of, right? And who doesn’t go into a rage when hair is…