Does the Neurodivergent Brain Work Harder?

Being on the Autism Spectrum does present a different way of thinking and functioning. The challenge is the way one navigates their way through the world. For me mental effort is required in navigating through the challenging and fast paced world we live in. I tend to see being Neurodivergent as a means of having to work mentally harder at simple tasks and forming friendships is not easy. A recent Functional Assessment has outlined the inabilities and challenges I confront in such an area. I find myself continually pushed away and seen as a nuisance or someone to be avoided by main stream society. The Autistic mind for me works in routines and I find myself constantly challenging my thinking and thought processes with the help of guided Psychology through the UQ Psych Clinic as well as a Psychologist. I struggle with friendships and may look into getting a dog perhaps a Labrador to assist me with emotion support as well as sensory issues. The world I find seems to try and squash me into its mould and I am doing my best on a daily basis to get through. I swim regularly as well as exercise where I can to control anxiety and to manage it. The reliance on support workers through the NDIS helps me to overcome social isolation and being a recluse. People don't understand that without any interaction at all my own mental health suffers. Added to this I also find myself sabotaging situations through fear of rejection in the likelihood of having Rejection Sensory Dysphoria. I am getting support through UQ Psych Clinic to assist me overcome my social challenges and to not feel socially disconnected from others within the community. I find and feel that people just don't get it and I have had to impose boundaries in order to not be treated like a broken person and or a baby!

I feel myself that Rejection Sensory Dysphoria exists in me as an adult on the Autism Spectrum. Relating to others on the Autism Spectrum and ADHD poses a challenge because if others on the spectrum have Rejection Sensory Dysphoria as well, then aren't we all a sinking ship trying to help one another? I am fortunate to have a close friend who is a Psychologist but I still struggle with other friendships and find a relationship something from another planet. I find myself struggling with emotion and my mind gets caught up with internalisation within my own thinking. All I can do is try my best. I feel that therapy is working but it is slow, meticulous and demands constant focus to keep my mind sharp! I guess Double Empathy also poses a challenge in that if a friend on the spectrum is suffering as well with misunderstanding then I think and pray that they are able to get the help and support to assist them. I am also contemplating writing more and more to target on the challenges I personally confront in trying my best to navigate this world around me. It is not easy but I am doing my best.

I am at UQ on occasions and am happy to meet up for coffee but general chit chat and small talk is something I am not good at. I find it pointless and not going in a direction of being productive but that's just me. I am looking at doing research through Psychology and to further my academic qualifications only holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree currently. Progress towards post graduate study and working towards a PhD is something I am also contemplating.

I do hope that I can also contribute some kind of encouragement and support for other adults trying their best also to navigate the difficult and challenging world we live in?