You know when.....

You know when I see your text but don’t respond for a few hours - that’s because I’m autistic

You know when you call without warning and I don’t answer - that’s because I’m autistic

You know when I launch into practicalities and direction before realising I haven’t greeted you and asked how you were - that’s because I’m autistic

You know when I ask lots of questions when you think you’ve been perfectly clear - that’s because I’m autistic

You know when you’ve said a lot of things and I don’t answer immediately but ask for a while to process and come back to respond - that’s because I’m autistic

You know when I say something directly and it seems blunt - that’s because I’m autistic

You know when I have to hibernate and process for a few days/weeks - that’s because I’m autistic

You know when I look away and doodle so that I can listen properly - that’s because I’m autistic

You know when I am really concentrating and absorbed and I appear to be ignoring you … yep, you guessed it … autistic

I’m not saying it’s not okay to nudge me and tell me how it’s making you feel… or look for ways that don’t make either of us too uncomfortable.

I’m saying, please don’t take offence, make assumptions or see it as a reflection of professionalism or your priority/value in my world … if this seems impossible to you then you don’t actually accept my autism ❤️