A Way Illuminated

Not Broken, Just Found: Finding Clarity Through Late-Diagnosed Autism - A Way Illuminated Why do so many adults miss their own neurodivergence? A late-diagnosed autistic father and former teacher shares the shift from feeling "broken" to found.

Diagnosis isn't a grief process for me; it's a massive, system-wide exhale.

Turns out I'm not broken I'm a late-diagnosed AuDHD gay dad finally reading the right manual for my brain. 📖

awayilluminated.com/not-broken-j...

The Horizontal Surface Trap: Why My Neurodivergent Brain Loves Order but Creates Chaos - A Way Illuminated Discover why "messy adhd traits" aren't a moral failing. A late-diagnosed autistic dad explores mess blindness and low-demand tidying tips that work.

To a neurotypical person, it’s a coffee table. To my brain, it’s a high-priority notification tray that I can’t "clear" without accidentally deleting my entire schedule.

The struggle is real.

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#AuDHD #Neurodivergent #ExecutiveDysfunction

Finding My Flow: Why AI is My Newest Special Interest and Greatest Ally - A Way Illuminated A late-diagnosed autistic dad shares how AI became a "digital partner" to help him find his flow with SEND paperwork and life's complex tasks

New Blog Post: Finding My Flow 🌊

I’m diving deep into why AI has become my newest special interest and my greatest neurodivergent ally.

Check it out: awayilluminated.com/finding-my-f...

#ActualAutistic #AuDHD #Neurodivergent #AI #SpecialInterest #ActuallyAutistic

The War Inside: Why I’m Finally Pursuing an ADHD Diagnosis - A Way Illuminated I’ve always felt a conflict between craving structure and embracing chaos. Here is why I am finally pursuing an ADHD diagnosis.

Tired of the internal war I feel inside. I've finally built up the courage to approach my GP for a referral for an ADHD assessment.

awayilluminated.com/the-war-insi...

Unpacking the Double Mask: My Life at the Intersection of Autism and LGBTQ+ Identity - A Way Illuminated A personal look at the intersection of autism and LGBTQ+ identity, and the difference between masking and code-switching.

Identity is a complex beast. We are all multifaceted beings hurtling through space, clinging to a rock. I'm examining my masks and the role they play in my life.

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Pulling Back from the Brink: A Gentle Guide to Recovering from (Almost) Autistic Burnout - A Way Illuminated Felt like you were heading for a crash? Here’s an account of recovering from autistic burnout and the gentle, practical steps I’m taking.

This week has been better than last. But that's because I've made an effort. I've deliberately been careful and have been looking after myself.
awayilluminated.com/pulling-back...

Beautiful

When You're Autistic and Feel Like You're Falling Apart: Finding Your Way Through Burnout - A Way Illuminated Feeling like you've fallen off a cliff? A late-diagnosed dad shares an honest look at overwhelm, autistic burnout and ways to start healing.

There are a lot of factors that affect how well I might handle a sudden influx of competing demands or stress in general. But recently I've been running on fumes in a car with a dodgy engine and wheels that are falling off.

awayilluminated.com/when-youre-a...

Permission Not Required: My Journey with Autistic People Pleasing & Conflict Avoidance - A Way Illuminated As a late-diagnosed autistic man, I realised I was constantly asking for permission I didn't need. A personal look at autistic people pleasing

When I'm masked, I avoid conflict. I've developed complex strategies to try to stay on the right side of others.

awayilluminated.com/permission-n...

My Exhausting Performance: Beginning the Journey of Autistic Unmasking - A Way Illuminated 'Masking' is an exhausting performance. Follow my personal journey of autistic unmasking —from burnout and confusion to discovering an authentic self

I wear a mask. It's so complex and elaborate that I don't know what is mask and what's me. I'm beginning to examine who I am. Maybe I'll begin to unmask... perhaps some aspects have kept me safe.

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My Monotropic Mind: Finding Calm and Focus in a World of Spinning Plates - A Way Illuminated Multitasking too much? For many people, it’s a sign of monotropic thinking. Understanding this trait helps me at work and as a parent.

Learning how my brain functions and working with that rather than against it is really helping me. Especially at the moment when I've so much going on.

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I've been reflecting on our family's adoption journey. 6 years have passed in, what seems, the blink of an eye.

awayilluminated.com/our-adoption...

Death Stranding's Autistic Coding: My Journey Through Kojima's Connected World - A Way Illuminated I share my personal journey through Death Stranding, exploring how the repetitive tasks and monotropic hero mirror the autistic experience.

Representation is important. To see yourself represented and portrayed positively is immensely empowering. To see minorities represented is good for everyone, increasing acceptance in a world that all too often would see us separated.
#actuallyautistic

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The Gentle Art of Autistic Advocacy: Speaking from Our Own Corner - A Way Illuminated This post explores the gentle art of autistic advocacy, from the personal bubble to the wider community.

It's important to advocate for the communities you belong to.

I talk about my experiences as a gay man; an autistic adult, and as an adopter. My own unique voice is one among a chorus of nuanced voices with beautifully diverse experiences.

awayilluminated.com/the-gentle-a...

Caring Too Much? My Autistic Journey with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria - A Way Illuminated I explore caring too much about what others think; Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), and how I'm learning to quiet my inner critic.

I have a voice inside that whispers that I'm never enough. It's been there forever, and it's convincing.

My journey to quieten that voice has been long and hard. But this last year, I've made so much progress towards doing just that.

awayilluminated.com/caring-too-m...

Auditory and Semantic Processing of Speech-in-Noise in Autism: A Behavioral and EEG Study - PubMed Autistic individuals often struggle to recognize speech in noisy environments, but the neural mechanisms behind these challenges remain unclear. Effective speech-in-noise (SiN) processing relies on au...

Today in research backing up autistic common knowledge: Yes, it is a LOT harder for autistic people to process conversations and other audio streams, if there are competing noises in the area.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40755170/ #autism #autistic #neurodiversity

Neuroqueer Revolutions: Difference, Becoming, and the Politics of Refusal Living fully as ourselves isn’t just about inclusion — it’s reworlding. Neuroqueer politics challenges norms & builds worlds where difference thrives.

More Realms Blog: Living fully as ourselves isn’t just about inclusion — it’s a reworlding. Neuroqueer politics challenges norms & builds worlds where difference thrives.

Our Journey to Dads: Adoption as an Older Gay Couple - A Way Illuminated Follow an older gay couple's authentic journey to becoming dads through adoption in the UK, from the initial dream to navigating the process.

Our journey to adoption was interesting and full of twists and turns. But like every good story there's a beginning.

The start of our adoption journey was very much like anyone else's. It started with lots of research and knocking some on metaphorical doors.

awayilluminated.com/our-journey-...

I think that's why it never occurred to me that I might be autistic until I became a dad. I think I was more or less managing my needs before I became a parent.

Now I feel like I'm spinning plates 😂

The Spoon Drawer is Empty: A Guide to Autistic Energy and Finding Your Flow - A Way Illuminated Ever feel like your energy just vanishes? Let's explore spoon theory, autistic energy management; navigating a world that can be so draining

As a recently diagnosed autistic individual, recognising and respecting my strengths and limitations is important

My energy is finite and I'm learning how to manage it so that I can avoid meltdowns, shutdowns and becoming burned out.

awayilluminated.com/the-spoon-dr...

From Classroom to Career Change: Leaving Teaching and Finding My Way - A Way Illuminated I thought I'd be a teacher forever, but the dream became a nightmare. Here’s my story of leaving teaching and how I found a new path.

Recently, I've been reflecting on leaving teaching.

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I got stuck wallowing in the past earlier this week. Dwelling on past hurts but experiencing them afresh.

A friend pointed out it was hurting me... That I was hurting me. And he was right.

I've stopped poking at the wound and have focused on other things and I'm feeling so much better.

The Song That Sounds Like My Autistic Soul: Finding Myself in an Animated Movie Soundtrack - A Way Illuminated For this late-diagnosed autistic, gay man, a song from a movie perfectly captured the pain of masking and the joy of finding your true self.

I'm a little obsessed with KPop Demon Hunters and here's why... awayilluminated.com/the-song-tha...

So sad 😢

I kind of love it when you accidentally stumble upon something that resonates with who you are so strongly it takes your breath away.

KPop Demon Hunters... Who would have thought it.

open.spotify.com/track/5sBDrr...

Navigating the Fog of Autistic Overwhelm and Depression - A Way Illuminated A late-diagnosed autistic dad shares his raw, honest experience and gentle ways to cope with autistic overwhelm and depression.

It's been a weekend!

#actuallyautistic
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One of my special interests is mycology. ❤️ 🍄

The Slow Retreat: What an Autistic Shutdown Really Feels Like for Me - A Way Illuminated Slowly retreating from the world? This may be an autistic shutdown. A late-diagnosed autistic dad shares his story.

For the longest time, I've retreated into myself. But, I'm learning it's my brain's way of protecting me.

#actuallyautistic
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The Crushing Weight of a Word: Navigating Autistic Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria - A Way Illuminated What is autistic rejection sensitive dysphoria? I share my journey with the crushing pain of perceived rejection and the tools I use to heal.

In my new post, I explore my sensitivity to criticism (or even perceived criticism). I'm not alone in feeling this way.

#actuallyautistic

awayilluminated.com/the-crushing...

Feeling in Full Colour: The Bright Side of Autistic Empathy - A Way Illuminated I believed the myth about autistic empathy. The truth is often the opposite. This is my story of hyper-empathy and learning to embrace it.

In my latest post, I explore autistic empathy and how it may not quite match the stereotypically held beliefs.

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