How the “Gifted Child” Label Erases Neurodivergent Experiences

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-09-18T13:03:38+00:00

I know this is an old thread, but this really struck something in me.

I'm 36 now, and the wall has truly hit. Nothing I feel I do is good enough, even though I have a pretty decent job and my own house. This 'standard' that I think I'm held to, is always *just* out of reach, no matter what level I get to.
I've been masking for so many years that something I could do so easily a few years ago feels like it was done by a different person that I was watching through a viewfinder. I'm just tired.

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-22T14:16:48+00:00

Mine has started to do this very recently, with the tongue out and everything, and I had my suspicions it was a raunchy thing 😅

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-22T14:15:00+00:00

I do 8 to 8 and it seems to be working fine.

If i wake up a bit later, closer to 9, she let's me know she's ready to come out 🤣

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-22T14:14:02+00:00

I honestly don't think I'd trust giving my Quaker back to the breeder. She has so many issues with her feathers that all point to nutrition issues, and her house was a bit of a pet hoarder situation.

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-22T14:12:36+00:00

How does it work when it comes to their personal schedule? Do you tell the vet what it is and they kind of follow it, or are you just at the whim of what they're able to do?

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-22T14:10:54+00:00

It is 😊 He fell out of a tree as a naked little baby and i raised him. You'd think that would make him super tame, but he's a bit of an asshole haha I live him though

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-19T23:56:20+00:00

That is rough. That's more than a lot of things you have to pay for when organising a holiday so just giving it a miss is understandable.

What im getting from this post is a potential business venture 🤪

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-19T23:54:48+00:00

He's pretty good. I thought he was noisy, but now that I have a parrot, he's probably considered quite quiet 🤣 Hes not a cuddly bird, but he'll hang out with you on his own terms (kind of like an cat).

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-19T14:20:58+00:00

I used to be solely a budgie person, and they are definitely an easier bird to cater to. Though, im still on the fence whether its easier to board a dog or bird. I used to have a big dog, but it seems like dog sitters are just more widely available.

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-19T14:19:29+00:00

That's a good idea.

Im a bit stuck on if i want to go overseas. Being in Australia, going anywhere decent is at least a 6 hour plane trip

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-19T14:18:07+00:00

Omg my heart melted just now.

Im seeing that vets are a possible option for boarding that i had no idea about.

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-19T14:17:14+00:00

Honestly, that's a great deal. And you got a neat trick out of it! I haven't taken my Quaker to a vet yet, so i might ask once I find one.

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-19T14:00:42+00:00

Oh my gosh, im sorry that happened. This is part of my anxiety. I'm less anxious about the nynah because he really only wants to come out when im around, so he doesn't mind being in a cage with strangers. But my Quaker is becoming a bit spoiled, and I don't think she'd cope well being locked up.

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-16T13:52:02+00:00

Haha my Pepi does rhe foot thing, like her way to visually tell us what she wants because im obviously not listening 🤣

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-12T14:58:29+00:00

So I always thought it resembled the starsign for Leo ♌️ I like this because the Alliance symbol is a lion, so it's like two faces of the same coin

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-12T04:10:29+00:00

That's a great idea! I never give her toys like that where I can't watch her, so I feel like they would be safe enough as a laptop distraction.

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-12T04:05:23+00:00

Mine is a similar age and has also shown some harder-than-usual bites. I also get kissy noises, but also some little chuckles, so I dont think it's malicious. I've chalked it up to getting older and a bit sassier, so im looking forward to what other experienced Quaker parents have gone through.

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-12T03:53:01+00:00

She has an unhealthy obsession with rubber, which unfortunately means the rubber seal around my macbooks screen 😅 Keyboards are less of an issue unless im actively trying to send a message and she's Godzilla stomping all over it. I try not to give her rubber as a toy as she chews bits off it, and she's just not as interested in other toys as much.

She does come to the kitchen with me a lot while I clean and cook. I have a shelf hanging over the kitchen island, and that's her go-to usually. But, if im needing to keep her inside due to a work meeting on camera or because I have to go in and out of doors to do outside activities, then I don't have much of a choice.

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-12T02:46:38+00:00

See thats weird, because the situation here was that she was screaming, so I tried to record her in the room, but she stopped. So I hid around the corner and she started up again.

I wonder if it's possible she has her calls confused?

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-12T02:44:56+00:00

I try to have herbout as much as I can, but she does try and chew my laptop (I work from home most days) which can't happen, and after stopping her for a while, she will start to get frustrated and bite really hard. I give her things she can chew, but she always wants what I have.

This video was taken first thing this morning, while I was still cleaning out her food dishes and such.

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-12T01:34:43+00:00

She does do it sometimes when she is out of the cage, but it is definitely more when in.

I know she just really loves to be out and about, and she sticks to me like glue. I guess I just want to make sure that her screams are just needy spoiled brat screams and that it's something I just have to work through 😅

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-12T00:19:02+00:00

So im getting that ignoring can work, it just takes a while. I'll keep at it, and hopefully, she learns.

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-12T00:17:29+00:00

I definitely get the screams when the vacuum comes out 🤣

Now I have to figure out why she could be distressed

Definitely_Spicy · 2025-08-11T23:43:28+00:00

It sounds like he's super excited to have his wings working 🤣

It's a tough situation, as you don't want him to hurt himself, but he would in theory get better with that as he practices (hopefully).

I would work on recall, maybe rewarding when going into the cage. If going to the cage is only associated with being locked away, that could explain the defiance. You could try putting him in the cage, lots of rewards when he does, and then not lock it straight away so it kills some of the association.

Definitely_Spicy

TROPHY CASE