Autism
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Late autism diagnosis: it’s a relief, but who’s behind the mask?
By the time an adult learns they’re autistic, they have often been covering up for years. A period of self-discovery awaits
by Leonie Mercedes
Neurodiversity
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Living without mental imagery may shield against trauma’s impact
Discovering I have aphantasia helped me understand my response to being assaulted and why I wasn’t debilitated by PTSD
by J B Smith
Creativity
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A key part of creativity is picking up on what others overlook
We all constantly filter a flood of details coming in. This process helps explain what gives some brains a creative edge
by Madeleine Gross
Neurodiversity
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Essentialism is insidious – but it might also be helpful
Stereotypes are obviously bad, but believing you share an essence with others could help people who feel marginalised
by Ariana Orvell & Alexa Lebrón-Cruz
Neurodiversity
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Adapting to the neurotypical world is not the same as conforming
As an autistic person, this is how I draw the line between adapting in a way that’s good for me and simple conformity
by Jack Ori
Neurodiversity
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Psychedelics could give a mind’s eye to those who’ve never had one
Case reports suggest psychedelics might reverse aphantasia (a lack of mental imagery), but is that necessarily a good thing?
by Shayla Love
Autism
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Autistic people challenge preconceived ideas about rationality
While cognitive biases commonly sway decision-making, Autistic people might be less susceptible to such biases
by Liron Rozenkrantz & Anila D’Mello
Neurodiversity
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Why neurodiversity and entomology so often go together
Science has neglected to study the passions of autistic people like me. Here’s why so many of us are drawn to insects
by Alice Laciny
Neurodiversity
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When the mind is dark, making art is a thrilling way to see
For aphantasic artists with no mind’s eye, creating paintings is a way to experience the mental pictures they can’t see
by Adam Zeman
Neurodiversity
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I have no mind’s eye: let me try to describe it for you
With aphantasia, my mind’s eye sees only darkness, not images. It’s like missing a sense, and only imagination can compensate
by Neesa Sunar
Neurodiversity
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Autistic people shouldn’t have to use ‘camouflage’ to fit in
If society were more tolerant and understanding of autistic people, they could ditch their camouflage and be themselves
by Francesca Happé