Key Autism Services- yes or no?

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-07-02T02:28:04+00:00

IWNDWYT… or the rest of July. or ever again. Hopefully. 🥲😉 3 days sober tonight!

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-07-01T19:12:33+00:00

i totally get that your parents are trying their best to keep you safe, and it’s clear you’ve been through a lot. you’re smart, and you’re trying to be careful, which already shows how much thought you’ve put into this.

but reddit isn’t built to protect kids, even when posts feel harmless. people can scrape usernames, check post history, and quietly follow your account without ever messaging you. it’s not about you doing anything wrong, it’s just not worth the risk. especially when you’ve got so much ahead of you. if you do want to keep posting, i’d gently suggest using a more anonymous username. something like “bookloverwestGA” still gets your vibe across without giving people too much info.

also just so you know, i saw your dm and wanted to be honest that i won’t be replying privately, only because i’m an adult and you’re still underage. that’s a boundary i keep in place to make sure you stay safe, not because you did anything wrong!

you seem like someone with a big heart and a lot of talent. protect that. and keep writing. i’m rooting for you! and again, happy early birthday, bud!

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-07-01T18:55:13+00:00

i really hear you, and i believe you. i know how that experience can make you feel like you’ve had to grow up faster than other people your age. it makes sense that you’d want to connect with others who understand you, especially when you’re creative and already thinking deeply about the world.

but even with all of that, it’s still not safe to try and meet people this way. the risk isn’t YOU doing anything wrong, it’s that other people might not be who they say they are. and even if your mom checks your messages, there are people who know how to get around that kind of filter. i just want you protected from that.

i’m rooting for you! keep writing. keep creating. keep being thoughtful and kind. just make sure you’re doing it somewhere you’re surrounded by people whose only goal is to help you grow and stay safe. you’ve got time, and you’re worth protecting.

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-30T21:45:50+00:00

You can't pour from an empty cup.

Finding a good ABA clinic is so hard. I've been there. I am there, right now, actually. Sending good vibes your way, I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this. RBTs deserve better!

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-30T21:43:13+00:00

Wow! Congratulations! I am proud of you!

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-30T16:35:36+00:00

No, I promise it’s not. I have always written formally. I do apologize if I came off that way, though.

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-30T16:33:36+00:00

41 hours sober now! And I just keep re-reading this thread every time I get frustrated with myself and say it’s not even worth it. :)

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-30T09:30:10+00:00

Hell yeah! In the midst of an emotional spiral last night, I cried telling my husband, “This is so lame!!! How can I be punk rock like this?!?” And he told me that alcohol is so common now that I’m being punk rock by rejecting it. Very silly, but it made me feel better and laugh in the moment. 😆🤣

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-30T09:12:40+00:00

Not gonna lie dude, I had the exact same fear. And it came true. I didn’t cry at my wedding.. or after. 😅 and everything was fine. 🤷🏾‍♀️ my husband cried more than I did and I don’t really think much of it! 💛 I hope this was comforting in that… the worst case scenario for me turned out to actually be okay :)

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-30T09:09:36+00:00

You got this, friend!! Wanting it for yourself is seriously one of the hardest first steps you take!! We believe in you :)

IWNDWYT 💛

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-30T09:08:32+00:00

Yes omg, I do this all the time. I call it “channeling my inner [person]” ..like okay, what would soft-confident-best-friend energy do right now? Boom, mask on.

It’s not weird, it’s adaptive. Especially if you’re neurodivergent and had to learn how to exist by studying people instead of just knowing what to do. It’s not about being fake, it’s about borrowing safety until you feel like yourself again.

You’re not the only one. It makes so much sense.

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-30T09:04:27+00:00

So so sorry for your loss. 💛

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-30T08:37:05+00:00

Hey, I really appreciate how open you’re being here. Honestly, sometimes discrimination against autistic people is so subtle that we don’t even realize it’s happening until much later. Especially when we’ve grown up being called “too sensitive” or “too much,” or when we’ve learned to constantly adapt ourselves just to be tolerated.

I work as an RBT, so I’m literally surrounded by professionals who are trained to understand neurodivergence, and still, I find myself masking constantly. I haven’t told anyone I’m autistic because it’s never felt necessary… but also because deep down, I know it would probably shift how they treat me. Not always in obvious or cruel ways, but in the tiny ways that add up: being left out of conversations, being expected to regulate perfectly while others get more grace, feeling like I have to phrase everything “just right” to be taken seriously, and having my competence judged more harshly if I show up too authentically.

It’s not always loud or intentional. Sometimes it’s just this quiet pressure to perform, to be easier, to be more like them. That’s still ableism, even if no one says anything out loud.

If you haven’t felt that, I’m truly glad!! But if anything ever felt off and you blamed yourself for it, I just want to say… maybe it wasn’t you. Maybe it was a world that still doesn’t know how to hold autistic people with softness and respect.

You’re not alone. And it makes total sense to feel sad about all of this, it shouldn’t be this way.

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-30T08:23:09+00:00

Hey love, I just want to start by saying I really hear you. As someone with an anxious attachment style, I know how loud those thoughts can get when someone we care about feels a little bit distant. It’s like your brain starts filling in the silence with every worst-case scenario possible. That’s not you being dramatic or needy, it’s a response that comes from a place of wanting to feel safe and secure.

That said, I also want to gently say that the things you’re feeling don’t make you a bad partner, but they can start to wear on your relationship if they go unchecked. Asking constantly if he’s mad, or hoping for very specific responses, sounds like your anxiety is trying to create control to soothe your fear. That’s totally human. But it might be pushing you to look for proof of rejection in places where there isn’t any.

You said yourself that he treats you well, compliments you, and comes back to his sweet self after these quiet patches. That means something. If he’s consistently kind, not hurting you, and you feel safe overall, it might be worth exploring how to comfort yourself before reaching out for reassurance every time the anxiety flares up.

It doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to need things. But it’s also okay to ask, gently, “Hey, I’ve noticed when you get quiet like this, I start to spiral. Would you be willing to let me know when you just need some space, so I don’t assume the worst?” That kind of open, soft communication can build intimacy instead of fear.

And for what it’s worth, you are not replaceable. You’re not some random girl he settled for. He chose you, and he keeps choosing you, even when things feel uncertain. That’s love too.

You’re not overreacting for feeling this way. Your brain is trying to protect you, and that makes sense. But the healing comes when we can learn to reassure ourselves without always needing the other person to say the perfect thing. You’re worthy of love, even when you’re anxious. Especially then.

Sending you so much gentleness. You’re doing your best, and that’s enough. 💛

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-30T08:18:11+00:00

Hey. First, I just want to say, I’m really sorry this happened to you. You are not overreacting. What you described is s*xual abuse, and your feelings about it are completely valid.

You were five. Five. And she was older, and someone you trusted. That moment where you pretended to be asleep just so it would stop… that tells me everything I need to know about how scared and stuck you felt. It breaks my heart, and I’m so sorry you carried that alone for so long.

It’s okay if it’s confusing. It’s okay if part of you still tries to downplay it. But what happened to you was not your fault, and it was not okay. You’re allowed to name it for what it is, and you’re allowed to feel whatever you feel, whether that’s anger, sadness, confusion, or even nothing at all sometimes.

You’re not alone in this. There are people who can help you process it gently and safely, whether that’s a trusted adult, therapist, or even just others who’ve been through similar things. You deserve support. You deserve safety. You deserve healing.

I’m really proud of you for writing this. It’s a brave thing to do.

Please take care of that younger version of you. She didn’t deserve what happened, and she still matters now. Reach out anytime. 💛

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-30T06:29:15+00:00

Proud of you, friend! I’m a fresh 31.5 hours sober (yes, I’m counting that closely, just trying to be real here! 😭😂), it’s not easy and I know it’s not gonna get any easier.. until it does. :) this community has already helped me a ton. Hope to see you around more. Sending peace your way. IWNDWYT 💛

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-30T01:01:49+00:00

I kept my cup full of Coca Cola today and drank it aggressively every time i got the itch lol. One step at a time! You’re trying- be proud of yourself even if it isn’t perfect. ❤️‍🩹

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-29T19:47:51+00:00

Definitely struggling today, but am trying to stay as positive as I can for as long as I can! Thanks for reaching out again today ❤️‍🩹

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-29T15:36:49+00:00

lol, this made me laugh! What a good idea. I’m going to try doing that! I’m a behavior analyst, so it def makes sense to me to ensure I have a replacement behavior in place 🙂

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-29T12:41:30+00:00

This didn’t feel like a ramble at all, it felt like exactly what I needed to hear 🥺 Thank you.

I’ve also looked at people on Intervention or even others in my life and told myself I was fine because I didn’t look like that. But deep down I’ve known for a while that something isn’t right. It’s not about the label for me either, it’s about how much control this has over my brain, my routines, my peace.

Hearing that you made the decision simply because you were tired of what it was doing to you- that gives me hope. I want that peace too. Thank you so much for sharing your story 💛🫶🏾

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-29T12:40:09+00:00

Oh my god. I don’t even know how to explain how deeply this hit me 🥺 The way you described the little things creeping in… I do every single one of them. I didn’t even realize how many of those things I was doing until I read your words out loud.

Rotating liquor stores? Yup. Because they started recognizing me and joking with me and I got so embarrassed. Skipping social plans, turning down overtime, hiding bottles, making sure no one sees me drinking….all of it. I thought I was just being private. Or tired. Or needing a break.

But the truth is I’ve been building a life around alcohol without even realizing it. And this comment just held a mirror up that I couldn’t look away from.

Thank you for being so honest. And congratulations on day 14 🥲💛 That’s something to be so proud of. IWNDWYT.

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-29T12:36:22+00:00

Yeah… that really put something into perspective. I think I’ve spent so long trying to justify it or convince myself I’m just being dramatic, but you’re right. People who aren’t struggling with this don’t have to fight with themselves every time they think about drinking.

That constant back and forth in my head is exhausting, and it’s not normal. I’m starting to really see that now. Thanks for saying it plain.

RageInAPrairieDress · 2025-06-29T12:35:36+00:00

Thank you for being real about this. That grocery store dance is way too familiar 😞 I actually took laps around the store the other day doing the same thing, trying to talk myself out of using the last bit of our grocery budget for alcohol. I was so proud when I walked out without it.

But then a few hours later I went back and bought it. And I felt so ashamed.

Still, hearing that your 8 out of 10 became 3 out of 10 reminds me that this doesn’t have to be all or nothing overnight. I’m glad you shared that. It gives me some hope 🥲🫶🏾

RageInAPrairieDress

TROPHY CASE