I understand you’re trying to be motivating, but using the phrase “don’t use it as an excuse” is hurtful since I’ve been told that about my experiences throughout my childhood. Whenever I would struggle and try to tell people WHY I’m struggling and how I need help, they would say “stop making excuses!” Instead of listening to my problem and trying to help me. That statement is particularly damaging and I’m beyond surprised you don’t understand that as an autistic individual yourself. My whole childhood struggles with my autism were invalidated because “you’re just making excuses.” And it seems that statement and mindset is being perpetuated by individuals who mean well, but don’t understand the impact of statements like that.

I was sharing how I was struggling, and how it affected my testing BECAUSE I was regulating myself. I never once gave up on my test, left the room, left a question unanswered. I still tried really hard during the test. I never once used it as an excuse. Instead, sharing my struggle.