@Autistic_Lauren Almost necessary for me. I understand much better when I can see and hear what is being said. My auditory processing is delayed and I will catch about 50-80% of it- depends on setting.
@Autistic_Lauren Agreed. I was quite literally bullied by every neurotypical person I came into contact with because of my differences as a kid into hiding much of myself. I taught myself a lot of things in private to learn to mask because it was the only way to survive.
They praised the mask.
Clear speech.
Eye contact.
Professionalism.
And punished the cost.
Exhaustion.
Burnout.
Collapse.
Masking isnโt a skill.
Itโs a wound.
A scar.
It keeps you safe.
But at what price?
@sensorystories_ Yes please! I literally will be mid-sentence and my brain just cannot speak the word, like my brain just lost it. I speak a lot for a living and it can be embarrassing to have to explain