Blog - Autism Chrysalis

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.

Masking

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.

Person with a black backpack on a path in a forest. They are far away from the camera, and looking at the long trees.

Social

The Many Paths to Social Comfort

There are many parts to the internal work that we do to get reasonably comfortable with people. Here are some common ones.

Two people on a bench with bushes behind them. One person is laying down with their head up against the other person, who is sitting and looking into a brown bag.

Social

When You Want Friends…and Don’t

Do you have conflicting thoughts about the idea that self-acceptance can actually work as a way to have better relationships?

Person with brown hair in a bun, facing towards the ocean in the background.

Social

Accepting Yourself as A Path to Social Comfort

Self-acceptance is a nice ideal, but how does it practically get you friends?

Group of four people holding cups, facing each other.

Social

Why Most Socializing Strategies Don’t Work

Strategies to increase socializing by dealing with the anxiety, or improving social skills, aren’t bad ideas, but they produce limited, short-term results. Here are two reasons why.

The backs of two people with long hair, leaning up against each other, in front of a forest.

Social

What Social Comfort Looks Like

A brief, imaginary dip into what “being reasonably comfortable around people” practically looks like.

Person covered in shadow, sitting on a window sill. They are looking out the window.

Social

People Are Scary

If your default mode is that people are scary, mean, and tiring, but you still long for good friendships and better relationships, I get that. I’ve been there. And there is hope.

Person with pale skin and blond short hair has their hands on their head. They are facing down towards a table that has a book open on it. There is a bookshelf in the background.

Sensory

Coping with Sensory Differences in Public

How do you cope with sensory needs when you’re out in public? Here’s a framework and a few tips.

A drawing of a brain with a bunch of heart emojis in it.

Neurodiversity

Can You Become Neurodivergent?

If things are getting harder, if your brain seems to have more trouble coping, if sensory issues are more intense, it can provoke lots of questions. Was I always this way or did something change?

Person with pale skin and a green towel wrapped around their hair is pressing up against their face with their hands. Their eyes are closed and are facing towards a computer at a desk.

Burnout

Unlearning Internalized Ableism: A Short Intro

Do you harangue yourself about the things you should do, even when you’re physically unable and they don’t actually, really, absolutely, need to be done?