Words by Dana Fergy // Photo by Hiki App
Hi, I’m autistic. Which, to be honest, I find pretty great most days. My brain is a strange, sparkling place—a bit like a secondhand shop full of colour-coded typewriters and very intense feelings about washing machine noises.
But! It also means living in a world that wasn’t exactly designed with me in mind. Socialising can feel like trying to speak in an accent I don’t have, and the way I process sound, light, and general life admin is…different. Not wrong. Just different.
Over time, I’ve gathered a toolkit—some small, practical things that help me feel more at home in the world (and more importantly, in my own body and mind). If you’re autistic too—or just love someone who is—maybe these might help you too.
Sensory-Friendly Spaces = Instant Relief
First things first: make your environment work for you. I used to think I had to “toughen up” and push through noisy, scratchy, fluorescent-lit spaces. Nope. Game-changer: dimmable lights. Soft blankets. Noise-cancelling headphones that make it sound like the world’s on mute.
Your home should feel like an exhale. A place where your brain doesn’t have to constantly be bracing for the next loud thing or weird smell or flickering light.
Routine Is Not Boring. Routine Is Magic.
People act like routines are boring. But for me, knowing what’s next is like having a flashlight in the dark. It calms my nervous system and gives my mind room to breathe. I have a colour-coded calendar (yes, it makes me very happy), and I eat the same breakfast every day. I find it comforting. Like a warm hug from my own predictability.
You Don’t Have To Go It Alone
Getting support is not about being “fixed.” I’m not broken. But I am a human being, and human beings need other human beings sometimes. I’ve had help from organisations like Prosper Health, therapists who get neurodiversity, and friends who don’t expect me to “mask” around them.
The best kind of support doesn’t try to make you less autistic—it meets you where you are, and helps you thrive as exactly who you are.
Self-Care Isn’t Selfish (Even If the World Tells You It Is)
Autistic burnout is real. Stress builds up like a slow leak in a balloon—until POP. That’s why I try to do something gentle for myself every day. Sometimes that’s a nap. Sometimes it’s staring at leaves blowing in the wind for a full hour. Sometimes it’s guided breathing or CBT. I tailor it to me. Not a self-care checklist from Instagram.
You’re Allowed To Ask For Accommodations
At work or school, you are allowed to ask for what you need. Quiet spaces. Clear instructions. Flexible hours. These aren’t special treatment—they’re just what help you do your best.
I used to feel guilty asking for accommodations, like I was being “difficult.” But actually, the difficult thing is pretending I don’t need them. The honest thing? Asking for them.
For example, you might request flexible hours from your boss or quiet workspaces from your teacher. The ADA is a piece of legislation in the US that protects students, so it is worth looking through if you’re wondering about your rights.
Dive Headfirst Into Special Interests
And here’s maybe my favourite part of being autistic: the deep dives. The fixations. The glorious, glowing rabbit holes. My current one is antique encyclopedias. Last year it was Australian birds. Before that it was the entire filmography of Wallace and Gromit.
My interests bring me joy and clarity and meaning. They connect me to others who are just as weirdly specific as I am. They are not a waste of time. They are a way of being alive.
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