Appearance
Tips & What Actually Helps
"I spent 30 years trying to fix myself. Then I tried accommodating myself instead. That's what finally worked." — Late-diagnosed autistic adult
Top Insights from the Community
1. Understanding Yourself — Getting diagnosed was transformative. "Everything finally made sense."
2. Finding Community — Being understood, learning from others like you.
3. Reducing Masking — Finding safe spaces to be yourself.
4. Embracing Special Interests — "They're what make life worth living."
What Doesn't Help
| Approach | Why It Fails |
|---|---|
| "Just try harder" | Autism isn't a motivation problem |
| Forcing exposure | Causes trauma, not adaptation |
| Suppressing stimming | Removes regulation |
| Masking more | Leads to burnout |
Quick Tips
- Know your sensory profile — what overwhelms, what calms
- Use visual supports — lists, schedules, color coding
- Build routines — reduce decision fatigue
- Budget energy — plan for recovery
- Use scripts — prepare for common situations
- Create exit strategies — permission to leave
- Accommodate yourself — don't wait for others
By Context
At home: Control environment. Create sensory sanctuary.
At work: Know your rights. Request accommodations. See Employment.
Social: Budget energy. Have exit plans. See Social Navigation.
Healthcare: Bring written notes. See Medical & Healthcare.
What works varies. Take what helps, discard what doesn't. Your path is unique.