ABOUT

My name is Louise. I was diagnosed with autism in my late forties.

This blog is my journey from late diagnosis, how I navigate the ups and downs of life, and the strategies I use to cope.

I also write about my lifestyle, my life experiences, and raising awareness about neurodiversity.

Autism is a spectrum, and it can look different in each person. This is one way autism can present.

This blog is for reference and education only, and not professional advice. Please consult a specialist for diagnosis or support.

Please like, comment and subscribe. I would love to read your ideas, thoughts and opinions.

My Journal

Coping Strategies

  • For me, a sense of belonging is very important, so the attitude of my family makes a difference. Autism inclusion in families is an important place for support and connection. How the family views me makes a difference to my happiness. Image created with Canva Learning from Others I learn from non-autistic people how to Read more

  • My Daily Habit

    My daily habit has to be planning my day. When I plan what I am going to do that day, I achieve what I have set out to accomplish because I know exactly what I am doing and when. I love to achieve something every day. It helps me reach my goals. Image by Petra Read more

  • It is important to focus on the strengths of autistic children rather than trying to get them to spend lots of time on activities they don’t find interesting. My Experiences of School When I was at school, the two main subjects were maths and English. I hated maths, and I hated the fact that I Read more

  • The emotion I feel most often has to be determination. No matter how tired I am, I continue to push myself. It makes me smile when I achieve something new every day, and I pick myself up when life knocks me down. Image by Tumisu from Pixabay – colour adjustments and text overlay by Louise. Read more

  • I wrote a post back in June at a time when I was getting close to burnout. You can read the post here: Burnout – My Autism Life After Diagnosis. I used different strategies to improve my situation. I am feeling better now, and not as exhausted as I was. It is also holiday time Read more

  • I have had many situations when someone has said something to me and they have meant something else, or not been clear about what they mean, regardless of whether it is intentional. I understand it is the speech pattern of people who are not on the spectrum. However, for me, I like to know exactly Read more

  • Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay This is a short blog post, but maybe helpful for some of you. I have had gut problems all my life, and I often got an upset stomach eating foods I wasn’t familiar with. I will spare you the details, but I think it is what has caused anxiety about Read more

  • Relaxation is important to all of us. At the end of a busy day, taking some time out is essential to recharge our batteries so we are fresh for the next day. However, my brain is different. It is on the go all the time. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay Read more

  • I am very grateful that I have always held down a job. However, many jobs that I have had over the years have not fully utilised my skills. I had worked for many years as an instrumental music teacher. My qualifications are to teach students one-to-one, the flute and the piano. I couldn’t cope with Read more

  • Learning to cope with life has been a challenge, as it can be difficult for people with autism to stay organised. However, in order to survive, I have had to create different strategies. This is so that I get everything done, I can relax, and I know I haven’t missed anything important. Familiar Places At Read more