There's No Such Thing As Normal

20/08/2025

I just learnt that 1 in 3 people will experience a panic attack at some point in their lives. I have myself, and they are jruly terrifying.

10/08/2025

I’ve only been back from France for just two days… and already packing again! I’m off to my Nan’s for a week to give Mum some well-earned respite.

It’s fair to say ADHD and packing are not good friends. I kept getting distracted, wandering off to do other things… even ended up reading a book! I think packing is so hard because there are so many things to think about all at once, and breaking it into steps feels overwhelming.

Not to mention there's the very real fear of forgetting something important. But hey, I got there, eventually. Anyone else find packing to be a painful ordeal? Image description: A medium-sized grey suitcase stands on a wooden floor against a grey backdrop. Bold white text above the suitcase reads: “ADHD AND PACKING ARE NOT A GOOD COMBO.”

08/08/2025

We’ve had a lovely few days in Dieppe, and we’re heading home today. Holidays are fun, but they’re also exhausting. I can’t believe how much I’ve been sleeping — nearly 10 hours a night! I’m not complaining though. I’d much rather that than not being able to sleep, which definitely can happen when you’re away.

I think it’s because we’ve been so busy and there’s just so much to take in. While we sleep, our brains process the day’s memories and sort everything out, so it makes total sense.

One of the highlights has definitely been the food (no snails for me, thank you very much!). I think I’ve eaten my weight in French bread, croissants, and cake — though to be fair, we’ve also done loads of walking and exploring to hopefully balance it out a bit 😅

We also went to a spa, though I’m not sure I’d call it relaxing. The swimming pool smelt like a fish tank (even though they claimed it had chlorine), and I’m convinced the steam room smelt like a shaggy wet dog. It was in a 5-star hotel… but the spa definitely wasn’t 5 stars in my books!

A few other things I noticed: the sirens on emergency vehicles here are so much quieter than in the UK. My ears have really enjoyed that small bit of respite. And let’s just say I don’t think health and safety is high on the priority list — the amount of dodgy staircases we’ve come across is quite something. Stairs of all different shapes and sizes, all windy-windy with no banisters!

It’ll be nice to get back to a bit of normality. It’s always the small things we miss most when we’re away 💛
Photo description: Lou is standing in front of a circular fountain. They’re smiling, holding their long cane, and wearing a navy t-shirt with butterflies, black trousers, and beige shoes. Their headphones are hanging around their neck. The background shows a sunny town square with people walking, cars parked, and colourful buildings under a blue sky.

05/08/2025

Masking... It's something many autistic people do, but it can take many different forms. People often believe that masking is either something a person does entirely, that is hiding every single trate to the point where they are invisible, or not done at all. But there are more subtle ways a person can mask, as said brilliantly in this example. It can simply look like a person turning down their trates, perhaps stimmming slightly less, suppressing some small part of themselves.

Masking is one of the topics we are looking at during out Autistic Burnout webinar and I want to explore it a little today.

Masking is a self-protection response to trauma; it can take many different forms and can often be missed. The prevailing narrative about masking is that many Autistic women can and do mask entirely. And for many, this can be the case. But this narrative misses out a huge number of Autistic people of other genders and different forms of masking.

Today I want to think about children who are pretty openly Autistic. It would be easy to assume that they do not mask, but let me share a wee story which challenges that. Minor details changed to protect identities.

Alex is 10 years old. Their speech is fairly idiosyncratic, they stim a lot and wear cat ear defenders every time they leave the house. The world is too noisy otherwise.

Alex is walking through the town centre with a family member, happily chatting away. Walking towards them on the street is Miss McManus, one of the PSAs at Alex’s school. Miss M and Alex have a great working relationship and get on well, so she smiles as she approaches Alex and her family.

As soon as Alex sees Miss McManus, their demeanour changes immediately. The volume of their voice decreases immediately, and they become much more demure. They go from big full answers to questions to monosyllables. They are incredibly polite and stop stimming as much. Alex genuinely likes Miss M, and looks forward to working with her, but that doesn’t mean they felt comfortable unmasking.

Alex was making themself smaller, suppressing their natural instincts for the comfort of others. They may not have been masking completely, but they were still masking.

Masking for Alex isn’t the kind of masking we often see in the media, but it’s no less important to discuss. Many schools see children who stim and use supports such as ear defenders and often assume this means they are not masking, but this is often not the case. Masking isn’t always suppressing our Autistic nature entirely. Sometimes we can dial it down if not switch it off.

Masking is absolutely exhausting and can have a significant negative impact on our wellbeing, but sometimes unmasking is simply not an option for us if we want to remain safe.

If we want Autistic people to be confident enough that we can unmask, it’s essential that we are shown that an area and its inhabitants are safe to unmask in. That we won’t be discriminated against or seen as less than. Having safe spaces to be ourselves is essential for our wellbeing and sense of identity.

05/08/2025

Hi everyone.
We arrived in Dieppe yesterday and we’re here until Friday for a short break!

Holidays can be exciting, but also nerve-racking. When you’re autistic, change is hard — and being away from home means there’s a lot to get used to. From funny smells to odd background noises, everything just feels a bit strange at first.

And don’t even get me started on the bed sheets — I was going round sniffing all the duvets like a very determined sniffer dog, trying to find one that smelt just right . Sensory comfort is serious business!

It takes a lot of energy being in a new environment, so it’s important to give yourself time to settle in which I've tried my best to do. Having a plan also helps, because uncertainty is the worst. Being blind also adds an extra layer, because I have to remember where things are.

Even getting a glass of water feels like climbing mount everest. 🤣😂But I am excited, especially about eating delicious foods like French bread and croissants 🥐✨ But of course I am, I'm such a foody!
Image description: Lou is sitting on a windowsill in the sunshine, smiling. They’re wearing a bright purple t-shirt and dark shorts, with bare feet and a colourful fidget toy in their hands. A pair of black headphones rests beside them. Behind them is a view of a quiet French street with brick buildings, white windows, and a sloped slate roof under a blue sky.

02/08/2025

🎧 New podcast out now: Zones of Regulation
I talk about how this simple framework helps me as an autistic ADHDer — and how it was adapted in a tactile way so I could access it as a blind person.

It’s made a big difference for me in managing emotions, energy, and self-understanding. I hope it helps you or someone you support too 💚
(Link in the comments) 🖼️ Image Description A screenshot of Spotify showing episode 29 of the podcast There’s No Such Thing As Normal . The episode is titled “The Zones of Regulation: My Experience as an Autistic ADHDer.” The podcast description reads:
“In this episode, I explore the Zones of Regulation — a framework that helps people understand their emotional states, energy levels, and what they need to feel okay.

I share how the zones were adapted for me as a blind person, what each zone means (including why I call yellow the ‘fizzy zone’), and how I use them to reduce overwhelm, manage meltdowns, and develop more self-understanding.

I talk through real-life examples, sensory strategies, and the ways this framework has made a difference for me — as an autistic ADHDer.”

28/07/2025

So I wanted to give an update about how I got on with my first few days at my new day centre. It's honestly been amazing! It feels like the perfect place for me — I’ve got my own quiet space, incredible support from lovely people, and the freedom to do what I want and follow my interests at my own pace.

We’ve kept things relaxed while I settle in. So far I’ve done some yoga, meditation, arts and crafts, gone for walks, and had plenty of chill time. It’s peaceful, calm, and quieter than a library! There are only a few of us in the building, and the whole place is designed for autistic people who need their own space due to sensory and anxiety needs.

I feel so lucky to have this level of support and care. I honestly believe everyone who needs this kind of environment deserves it. And the best part? I can’t wait to go back — which I’d say is a pretty good sign.

📸 Image description : Lou is sitting comfortably in their sensory space at the day centre, smiling. They’re on a giant purple beanbag with a green fluffy blanket and a grey weighted blanket, with sensory boards, crafts, and a yoga mat nearby. The room is cosy and peaceful, with wooden floors and soft lighting.

26/07/2025

I feel that my system is always on high alert? This article beautifully explains why that’s so common for us autistic people and how we can begin to gently restore balance and regulation through simple techniques. It covers:
• The impact of trauma, sensory overload, and constant adaptation
• What exactly the nervous system is, and the 2 branches of the autonomic nervous system
• Practical, compassionate ways to support our nervous systems — without forcing or masking

This is honestly one of the most validating things I’ve read in a while. Highly recommend for autistic people and anyone who supports us.
https://aane.org/autism-info-faqs/library/restoring-the-autistic-nervous-system-a-gentle-path-to-regulation/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLxdWlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHtnbv0gwji2HImpGicmwOGL4-RfRgnaVkrARph_PjfkT_LUav6YROoQO_DiC_aem_OvwIhBr3Gz4lIRaSbATDhQ.

For many Autistic people, the nervous system is both beautifully sensitive and deeply vulnerable. We often feel the world intensely. While this sensitivity can offer insight, creativity, and depth, it can also lead to chronic dysregulation, especially in environments that are busy, unpredictable, or...

23/07/2025

Today I have my first morning session at my new day centre! 💜
I’m feeling a mix of excited, nervous, and unbelievably happy — because they’ve made the most incredible plan for me, and it shows just how much they understand me.

It’s a nice gentle start, with a sensory crafting session, a walk outside, working on my care plan, and plenty of breaks. It’s going to be amazing! This is what great support looks like. 💜 Image description: Image: A selfie of Lou sitting in front of a bright pink wall, smiling. Lou is wearing a pink t-shirt and a black necklace cord. The photo has a cheerful, relaxed feel, and Lou looks excited and ready for the day.

22/07/2025

🎙️ New podcast episode out now!
I've just been through the big transition of leaving formal education, and it hasn’t been easy. Change is hard, and if you’re autistic, it’s even harder.

I made this episode to share what helped me, what made things smoother, and to offer tips, advice and reassurance for anyone going through it.

🎧 Links in the comments! 💜  🖼️ Image Description: A screenshot of the the Spotify app showing Episode 28 of the podcast There’s No Such Thing As Normal. The episode is titled: “Transitions in Education for autistic students: why they’re so hard and what helps | Ep. 28” The visible description reads: “In the final episode of the Neurodiversity in Education series, I’m joined one last time by the brilliant Maria as I prepared to leave my small specialist music college. Together, we dive into the topic of transitions in education—why they’re so tough, especially for autistic and neurodivergent people, and how we can make them easier.” It then lists key topics covered, including: • Why transitions are overwhelming for autistic people
• What helped me feel more prepared
• The emotional toll of waiting and uncertainty
• Tips for families, professionals, and students themselves
• What to do if a new placement doesn’t feel right
• The importance of closure, keeping in touch, and finding your people  🔖

21/07/2025

Spotted, or more like, my mum spotted this sign on a hand dryer today. It said “Loud Hand Dryer” with a visual warning, which is such a good idea for those of us with noise sensitivities. As someone who’s blind I didn’t see the sign myself, but I’m really glad it was there. I've always hated hand dryers, and hang on it’s 2025. Shouldn’t we have invented quiet or silent hand dryers by now? Still, it’s a small thing that makes a big difference. More of this please!
Image description: A white hand dryer mounted on a bright blue wall. A red sign on the dryer reads “LOUD HAND DRYER” with an illustration of a person covering their ears and wavy lines to show loud noise. Below that are two pink stickers. One says “WE BELIEVE YOU,” and the other says “LGBTQ+ DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICE.”