My top tips on navigating a happy autistic lifestyle
Don’t be afraid in asking for help. It is simply the best thing you could do for yourself. As autism and many other neurodivergent conditions are hidden, you can easily be misunderstood and disadvantaged as it did for me many times in the past. You can always ask your disability advisor, a friend or family member to help if you are having difficulty in voicing your struggles. I realise this can be a very hard thing to do sometimes. In my experience, most university staff were all very accommodating and had shown nothing but positive reactions to my suggestions. You may have to make some compromises as I did but overall, I received sufficient support to excel.
It can be useful to be able to recognise what your sensory triggers are and maybe make a list either mentally or on paper. This is essential for when you come to asking for reasonable adjustments or figuring out what actions you could take to help to mitigate them. You can get help with this if you find this hard. It took me a while to fully be aware of what distresses me, and I am still finding out new things about me to this day.
It may be helpful to set up a routine or weekly schedule to help organise your activities especially when it comes to stressful events, such as exam revision and assignments. Having a routine helps me tremendously to induce more calm in my day.
Arriving early to lectures, exams, or other important events is super helpful with anxiety management. For me, I like to arrive at least 30 minutes before I am meant to be there, so I can decompress in a quiet room prior to the event. My anxiety levels will inevitably rise during a lecture or other similar event, so I want to make sure it is as low as possible before I start.
If you feel comfortable in doing so, you may consider wearing the sunflower hidden disability lanyard for increased visibility.
Don’t be worried about saying no to social activities if you need to. It is important to push yourself and step outside your comfort zone but at the same time, it is also important to not push yourself too much and take it slow. Your mental health is as important!
It is useful to always check the accessibility section of websites of any events or venues you will be attending. Many venues provide support and provisions for neurodivergent people that you may not be aware of, such as quiet (sensory) rooms, provision of sensory packs, ear defenders, neurodivergent relaxed hours etc. Some examples that does some great work include Harry Potter Studios, Tate Modern, and Sealife to name a few.
Don’t forget to take regular breaks if needed.
And finally, the most important, always remember to be PROUD of yourself of all your achievements no matter how small! We are carrying an extra load compared to our neurotypical friends, so it is challenging.