Heather Cook

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When WFH Backfired, and Increased My Anxiety

This is a story that took place a few years before I figured out I’m Autistic. My supposed dream come true of working from home turned out to be a recipe for high anxiety.

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6 Things that Increase Anxiety for Autistics

Here are 6 common things that tend to increase anxiety for Autistics, and the biggest reason why they they have that effect: it may not be what you think. Because they’re not bad things.

What Culture Says about Strength Isn’t True

We often view our culture as “the way things are,” and this is especially true when it comes to displays of strength, but culture isn’t always right.

Practical Tips for Disclosing Your Autism

How to approach the “I’m Autistic” conversation so it goes better, and coping when it doesn’t.

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Is It Anxiety Or Sensory Stuff?

Anxiety and sensory stuff can be difficult to pick apart, so I’d like to talk a bit about them and how they can intersect.

The words "mental health" spelled out on scrabble letters next to a green leaf.

Four Mental Health Myths That Are Unhealthy

A few comments about four mental health myths that I’ve seen play out pretty consistently over the years.

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Healing Communication Wounds Takes Time

Healing communication wounds with new experiences is a gradual process.

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(Re)Building Self Trust After You Learned You’re Autistic

Once you discover your autism, you may realize just how severed the connection to yourself is, but it is possible to get in touch with yourself; to learn to trust your instincts better.

Letting Go of the Shame of Avoiding People

For autistics, it makes sense why we tend to avoid social situations; the majority of our interactions can be uncomfortable. But we can’t lean into the discomfort until we stop shaming ourselves.

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My thoughts on Accountability Partners

Accountability partners is a popular concept, designed to keep us accountable to someone else in order to create motivation to get things done, but I have a different opinion.