My Autism Mind Blog Posts

Fear of tornados and scared of the rain and thunderstorms are among the concerns of autism emotions about the weather.

Extreme Weather and Its Alarming Impact on Autism Emotions

February 13, 2025

Extreme weather is shown to adversely affect autism emotions and sensory sensitivities. How can we protect the most vulnerable?

Staying motivated is a challenge that comes with being an adult with autism.

14 Practical Ways for Staying Motivated to Unlock Full Potential

February 11, 2025

Motivation is a force that propels us toward success and fulfillment. For individuals with autism, staying motivated can pose unique challenges.

Anxiety freeze, or a shutdown, occurs more often with people with autism. But, why?

Freeze Response: How to Overcome the Dreaded Autism Anxiety Shutdown

February 4, 2025

Autistic anxiety often manifests in misunderstood ways. Take the freeze response, for example, referred to as the dreaded autism anxiety shutdown.

Fear of rejection and having that "been there dump that" mindset can keep you from living your best life.

‘Been There Dump That’ Emotional Hurt Mentality Can Be Overcome

January 30, 2025

Everyone has had that “been there dump that” fear of rejection emotion at some time in their life, regardless of their age, gender, or ability. Here’s how to get past it.

Discover how self-love and choosing to be happy trumps love and joy coupling, despite what society tells us!

Choosing Happy: How Self-Love Can Outshine Love and Joy Coupling

January 23, 2025

It’s easy to believe that you must have love and joy coupling, according to society. But does chasing love outshine choosing to be happy?

Do you struggle with poor gross or fine motor skills or body awareness? There's a surprising correlation with autism.

Proprioception: The Correlation Between Poor Motor Skills and Autism

January 21, 2025

If you are clumsy or struggle with buttons or zippers, and happen to have autism, did you know there there could be a correlation? What is it and why?

Autism meltdowns can occur with both children and adults.

Mastering the Art of Calming Down Autism Meltdowns

January 19, 2025

Autism meltdowns are a natural response to overwhelming sensory input or situations. There are ways to minimize their frequency and better cope.

Autism and independence means mastery of the day-to-day tasks.

Autism and Independence: 7 Skills That Empower Individuals to Thrive

January 16, 2025

Autism and independence is a significant milestone for individuals with low support needs, empowering them to lead fulfilling lives and achieve their goals.

Self deprecating humor can reinforce the narrative there is something lacking about us.

Why You Should Immediately Stop Using Self Deprecating Humor

January 8, 2025

For many of us on the autism spectrum, using self deprecating humor is sometimes an easy way to try to fit in and make friends. But here’s why you should stop.

There are reasons why discipline over motivation is one of life's most important virtues.

Why Discipline Over Motivation Is An Important Life Virtue

January 6, 2025

Discipline over motivation provides stability, develops important life skills and virtue, manages emotions, helps achieve goals, and boosts self-esteem.

Setting new year goals can be difficult for anyone. Here's how to crush them when you have autism.

How to Nail New Year Goals When You Have Autism

December 18, 2024

The calendar has turned to another year filled with hope and opportunities. Here’s how to crush it and nail new year goals when you have autism.

Autism and holidays can be stressful, but with planning the events can become special.

Autism and Holidays: Why Special Occasions Can Be Challenging

December 10, 2024

Special occasions are typically filled with excitement, and breaks from daily routines. However, autism and holidays can be a stressful combination for some.

Flat affect autism is what often leads to the common stereotype that autistics lack empathy (which is untrue).

Flat Affect Autism and How to Support Emotional Expression

December 8, 2024

Have you ever heard of flat affect autism? It often leads to the incorrect stereotype that autistics lack empathy. Learn more.

Managing time effectively without experiencing mental fatigue can be a challenge for autistics.

Managing Time With Autism: Prioritize What Truly Matters In Life

November 22, 2024

Effectively managing time can be challenging and uniquely important for autistic individuals. The key is being organized while avoiding mental fatigue.

If you feel restless with managing tasks until completed, you have task urgency.

Say No to Urgency: Managing Tasks for Ultimate Calm

November 12, 2024

Everyone has a to-do list. But when you feel restless with managing tasks until they are completed, you have task urgency.

Having an adult autism diagnosis an be life changing. But actually getting an autism test can be a challenge for many.

Diagnosis Roadblocks: Why an Adult Autism Test Can Be A Challenge

October 31, 2024

Why is getting an adult autism test such a challenge? Here are various diagnosis roadblocks and how to overcome them to get answers you seek.

Selective eating can cause a lot of mealtime stress, with with adults on the spectrum.

Selective Eating: Ways to Beat the Autism Picky Eater Test

October 28, 2024

If there weren’t enough challenges already, selective eating commonly occurs with autism and contributes to mealtime stress. Here are 8 tips to help.

A prevailing myth is that autistics have a lack of empathy disorder, which is untrue.

The Truth About Autism’s Lack of Empathy Disorder Needs to Be Told

October 22, 2024

A myth about autistic individuals is that they have a lack of empathy disorder— the ability to share in feelings of others. This stereotype is inaccurate and hurtful.

Having a gratitude attitude promotes positivity.

The Importance Of Gratitude Attitude and Building a Beautiful Life

October 17, 2024

Here are powerful ways for people with autism and their loved ones to build a gratitude attitude and a beautiful life.

Are horror movies good entertainment? Only if you love being scared.

Are Horror Movies Good Entertainment? If You Love Fear Factor

October 15, 2024

It’s common to watch scary movies during the Halloween season to get into the holiday spirit. But are horror movies good options for individuals with autism?

Scary haunted houses aren't for everyone.

Scary Haunted Houses: Love or Hate, It’s Okay Either Way

October 9, 2024

Halloween is a holiday filled with spooks and scares like scary haunted houses, usually in a fun way. However, some individuals experience true terror instead of enjoyment.

Autistic regression refers to times when life just becomes intense and traits are more challenging to manage.

Flare-ups: When Life Overwhelms And Causes Autistic Regression

October 7, 2024

Many autistics report periods when their traits become more intense and challenging. They are often referred to as “flare-ups” or autistic regression.

An adult autistic meltdown can be an overwhelming experience, and the aftermath is often daunting.

Recovering Successfully from the Aftermath of an Autistic Meltdown

September 23, 2024

An adult autistic meltdown can be highly distressing, and the resulting aftermath is often daunting. But there are ways to recover successfully.

Why is the autism neurodevelopmental disorder now all under the same umbrella?

Autism Neurodevelopmental Disorder: Why Some People Don’t Like ‘Spectrum’

September 16, 2024

It’s been over a decade, but the decision to stop using “Asperger’s Syndrome” as a neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis remains controversial.

DSM-5 for ASD was unveiled in 2013, and created an umbrella for autism spectrum disorder.

DSM-5 for ASD: What to Know About This Powerful Guidebook

September 13, 2024

How do you officially diagnose autism? Here’s what you should know about the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, known as DSM-5 for ASD.