08/08/2025
"When the world tells you to be less, quieter, more 'normal', it chips away at your self-perception—until you realise that being unapologetically autistic is not the absence of identity, but the beginning of reclaiming it."
Many autistic individuals grapple with internalised stigma and a fragmented sense of self. There is enormous pressure to conform, and this creates confusion around identity. Negative societal messaging about autistic traits can distort self-perception, but accepting being autistic provides a turning point: embracing an autistic identity isn’t about finding something new—it’s about rediscovering what’s already there, beneath layers of self-imposed and societal-imposed expectation.
Building a positive autistic identity starts with a thorough understanding of what is autism, but also other aspects of self - related to gender, race, social advantage or disadvantage and how these have impacted identity.
If you are autistic and relate to these experiences - What have you had to unlearn to start building an affirming identity? What strengths were hidden under years of masking?
👉 Explore practical ways to build authentic identity and resilience in our half-day workshop 📚On August 22nd, 2025, we are hosting our Autism: Developing a Positive Self-Identity Course.
https://www.attwoodandgarnettevents.com/products/webcast-autism-developing-a-positive-self-identity-22nd-august-2025
