Author: Heather Cook

Roll of toilet paper laid on a blue background.

You Don’t Need My Permission To Pee

A short rant on how our society teaches us to give away bodily autonomy.

Recovering from Autistic Burnout

Here’s an overview of how to get out of autistic burnout permanently, so you can get your life back (an autism-friendly life you are excited to live).

Woman with pale skin and dark shadows beneath her eyes holding up a drawing of a smile in front of her mouth.

You Might Be Masking If…Part 2

20 More examples of masking in real life.

You Might Be Masking If…Part 1

Here are 20 examples of masking in real life. Do you do any of these things? If you resonate with several of them, you might be masking.

Man wearing a t-shirt and shorts, with pale skin and dark hair, lying on a sectional sofa draped with a red blanket.

Journal Prompts on Rest

Here are a few prompts to reflect on what messages you were taught about rest, and how you would like to engage with it in the future.

Close up of a hand putting two bandaids over a cut elbow.

I’m Not Broken, But I Have Been Hurt

I used to despair that I was always a little (or a lot) different no matter how hard I tried to fit in. Figuring out I’m autistic explained why, but created a complicated relationship with that feeling of being broken.

Do You Not Know What You Need?

Do you find it difficult to answer questions like, “what do you want?” or “what do you need?” Here’s my take on what’s going on.

Woman in bed with sheets pulled up over her face so just her eyes and forehead are visible. Her pale skin and dark brown hair contrast with the bright white of the sheets and pillow.

Guilt-Free Rest in Burnout Recovery

How do you rest when your inner critic keeps getting on your case?

Finding Your Autistic Way Is Like Being Lost In The Woods

Trying to make your own version of an autistic-friendly life is a bit like finding your way through the deep dark woods.

Face of a woman with pale skin and red curly hair. In front of her and hiding half of her face is a white theater mask.

How to Unmask

Once you’ve figured out that you’re masking, and want to do so less, how do you unmask? Here’s my philosophy.

Group of people in formal attire standing in a line, staring at the camera. The person in the center is holding a white mask to their left eye.

On Autistic Masking

You’ve heard of autistic masking? Here’s an intro on what it is, what it’s not, and some of the side effects.

Education

On the Joy of Learning

I hear a lot of questions from parents and professionals on how to motivate autistic children. But motivation itself isn’t the issue.

Self-Reg

On Autistic Stress

Autistics get stressed out by a lot more things than most people, and what stresses us, and why, is often surprising to others. Here’s the critical first step to helping.

Sign up to get my newsletter (about twice a month)
on creating your autism-positive life:

We don’t spam or sell. Promise. Unsubscribe at any time.
Read our privacy policy here.

Autism Chrysalis LLC

Creating your autism-positive life.

You’ve tried their way.
Are you ready to find your own way?

Let's Connect

The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for psychotherapy, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Author: Heather Cook

Want more?

Sign up to get my newsletter (about twice a month)on creating your autism-positive life:

Autism Chrysalis LLC

Let's Connect

Sign up to get my newsletter (about twice a month)
on creating your autism-positive life: