First-person reflections, essays, and lived experience writing for, by, and with neurodivergent communities.
Come as you are, take what you need. I’ll be here.
Stories from
Bouncy Brains.
* The Bouncy Brain Presents *
* The Bouncy Brain Presents *
Featured Post
Untitled
I decided not to edit my old posts because I want those pieces to exist as a point in history in my life that I can learn from, and then compare all the writing after that led me back to who I truly am: Someone who does not care for convenience, in fact, adamantly refuses it. Call it resilience or stubbornness or PDA. If I am anything, it is staunchly resolute.
Neurodivergence: A built-in rubric for life
I absolutely cannot even pretend to care about performing (and proving to others that I am performing "well"), hustle culture, optimization, or what new productivity trend is circulating online. I have an innate and true system, it just took me 23 years to realize it.
Always slightly out of step
Now when I think about it, I don’t see someone who wasn’t trying. I see someone who kept going without really understanding why it felt so difficult in the first place.
An Ode to Future Joy
another me at the roundtable is future Joy. she didn't say much. she didn't say anything. in fact, she showed me something. she got up from the table, pulled out a projector, and showed me what life could and will look like.
On Not Knowing: What Starting Therapy Has Taught Me About Humility
I am learning to sit with not knowing. To ask instead of assume. To listen instead of perform competence. To trust that the client is the expert on their own life, and my role is not to have all the answers but to walk beside them as they find their own.
When Autism Disables: Living the Reality of Migraine, Burnout, and Limits
Disability acceptance is not about denial. It is not about pretending these limits do not exist. It is about saying: this is real, this is valid, and I am still whole.
The Prison of Perceived Rejection: Learning to Live With RSD
I’ve been dealing with rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) my entire life, even with no awareness of what RSD was.
Masking as a Neurodivergent Therapist Intern
Masking may have been necessary once, but the work ahead is different. It is about reclaiming my space, showing up authentically, and demonstrating to myself and others that being made differently does not mean being made wrong.
When Skills Slip and Words Fail: Understanding Autistic Burnout
For anyone who feels their skills slipping or struggles to speak even when they want to, know this: you are not failing. You are experiencing a protective, temporary state your brain and body use to survive overwhelming conditions.
Unmasking Reimagined: A Late-Diagnosed Perspective
By existing in society as an AuDHD adult and refusing to hide who I am, I’ll be helping to tear down one misconception at a time.
Unmasking My Brain at 46
It confirmed what I had already suspected: I was autistic. This has always been my truth; all I had to do was stop masking long enough to see it.
What If The Problem Isn’t You?
If you’ve ever felt like the world wasn’t made for your brain, you’re not alone. You’re not too much. You’re not a problem to solve.
Share Your Voice!
The Bouncy Brain is a space for curious, thoughtful, and often nonlinear minds. We are building a safe, neurodivergent-affirming space and we want to include your voice.
If you have insights, lived experience, reflections, creative ideas, or practical tools to share around neurodivergence, inclusion, or community care, we would love to hear from you.
All are welcome.
“Neurodivergent people aren’t broken — we’re brilliant. When we’re supported, we bring hyperfocus, creative problem-solving and loyalty to our work. But we can’t contribute if we’re pushed out before we’ve even been given a fair shot.”
— Tehnyat J. Sohail, The Salt Lake Tribune
A short data visualization story that brings awareness to how autism is shown across different genders.