Two climbers triumphantly reach the summit of a snow-covered mountain, celebrating their achievement against the backdrop of majestic peaks.

Understanding the Unpredictable Dynamics of Friendships for Late-Diagnosed Autistic Women

Let's have a quick dive into the statistics surrounding women with autism who are undiagnosed. Recent studies reveal that by the age of 18, a staggering 80% of females are still wandering through life without an autism diagnosis or an accurate diagnosis. This could lead to not fully understanding their identity, affecting their ability to navigate adulthood with autism and limiting their potential to develop healthy strategies to cope effectively with friendships and relation

Apr 1217 min read

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TRAIN OF THOUGHT

A dense, dark dumping ground composed of clutter, evoking the uncertainty and struggles of a chaotic environment and the weight of unresolved issues.

Facing Systemic Ableism as an Autistic Woman: The Hidden Cost of Keeping Peace

There are countless situations in life that unfold beyond our control, leading us to feel powerless and vulnerable repeatedly. In such moments, it can seem as though our basic human rights are stripped away, leaving us feeling exploited and dehumanised. For the past year, I've been struggling with this overwhelming sense of helplessness and systemic ableism as an autistic woman of colour, which unfortunately continue to plague my everyday existence. This experience marks the

3 days ago7 min read

This abstract artwork features cascading vertical lines that span a spectrum of bright colours, evoking dynamic movement and vibrant energy to represent autistic traits. The use of colour and shape conveys fluidity and expression, capturing the unique perspectives and experiences of autism.

Autistic Meltdown: Why the Stigma and Fear?

Have you witnessed the frequent occasions when the president, whom we all know, has outbursts that are then shown globally? These events have left many people amazed. It's truly beyond my comprehension how such drastic and public events attract far less stigma than the meltdowns experienced by autistic individuals. In fact, this president not only encounters minimal backlash but, rather shockingly, receives praise from a significantly large number of supporters who commend hi

Oct 279 min read

Nurturing the mind: A whimsical illustration of a watering can nourishing a brain surrounded by flowers, symbolising growth and autistic burnout recovery.

Autistic Burnout: What Defines a Good Day?

Keeping this post short, as you might be dealing with autistic burnout like I am and need a quick read to understand what the heck is going on, or perhaps just seek some acknowledgment because it's been a while since we've had a good day and are starting to forget what this looks like. Defining a Good Day During Autistic Burnout What defines a "good" day? This is one of the most challenging questions I encounter during autistic burnout, as our internal compass is completely o

Oct 205 min read

The illustration features a person performing seated physiotherapy exercises, focusing on strength training with a dumbbell.

Good vs. Bad Physiotherapy: Understanding the Unique Needs of Autistic Patients

It was only after my injury that I truly learned physiotherapy isn't created equal, realising it shouldn't be a one-size-fits-all approach. During a time when I desperately needed effective recovery strategies to improve my daily mobility and alleviate the relentless pain I was enduring, I became acutely aware that the physiotherapy space doesn't sufficiently accommodate autistic individuals. This oversight of our unique needs significantly impact our recovery journey. Unders

Oct 1416 min read

A whale sends an SOS message as autistic burnout looms ominously, highlighting the urgent call for change in society.

What is Autistic Burnout? Why It Matters? How Can We Recover?

Autistic burnout is as undeniable as the air we breathe, profoundly impacting many of us autistics at different times in our lives. This state of exhaustion is not merely a fleeting sense of tiredness; it is a tangible and complex experience affecting various aspects of our lives. When one is engulfed in the throes of autistic burnout, the signs are starkly visible. This phenomenon is not just an abstract concept; it involves a combination of physical, emotional, and mental f

Oct 819 min read

Two hands creating a heart shape with a vibrant red heart at the centre, symbolising autism dating and connection in a playful, pop-art style.

Autistic Women and Dating: Stop Believing the Bullsh*t

Sure, dating can be hard, and many posts are written from neurotypical viewpoints or mainstream media that tend to emphasise the difficulties and challenges faced by autistic women in the dating scene. However, it's time we stop subscribing to this narrative that paints a bleak picture of our experiences. While it's true that we, as autistic women, encounter our fair share of problems in dating, such as unnecessary misunderstandings, avoidable miscommunications, and unrealist

Oct 212 min read

Two elegantly dressed autistic individuals in vintage clothing and sunglasses, celebrating in style and savouring champagne from flutes, each with a sense of sophistication and whimsy.

30 Unsung Positive Traits of Autism: Embrace Being Proudly Autistic

I'm sure we're all tired of encountering the negative or deficit-focused character traits that medical professionals heavily rely on to determine an autism diagnosis or highlight as shortcomings compared to neurotypical individuals. This tendency to emphasise deficits, such as difficulties in social interactions, is overwhelmingly pessimistic and unfairly overshadows the countless strengths and unique qualities we have as autistic individuals. Such a perspective not only fail

Sep 2512 min read

Woman with colourful hair with headphones and backpack travelling through the city

Welcome to Beyond Quirky, where I spill the everyday musings, perspectives and insights as an autistic woman living in two worlds—Asian and Western cultures. I share my experiences, challenges and benefits of my autistic and bicultural identity. It's my cozy corner to explore living the most authentic autistic life—consider it a whimsical guide to navigate the quirks of existence, with a side of humour, of course!

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PICK OF THE MONTH

Illustration of recommendations for each month

I recommend this amazing podcast to my fellow aliens: Meet My Autistic Brain by The Autistic Woman. I discovered the talented creator of this podcast, which has helped me recognise my recent experience with autistic burnout and shutdown. This has been especially helpful, considering the many difficulties I've faced in recent months and continue to navigate through the turmoil.

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