When people talk about autism, they often stop at childhood. But adulthood does not come with fewer needs. It just comes with fewer supports.

In this episode, we talk about digital tools that help autistic adults navigate daily life with more clarity and less friction. I explore how simple apps can support executive function, communication, and emotional regulation, not as a replacement for ability, but as scaffolding for independence.

We look at practical categories including visual timers that make time visible, structured alarm systems that reduce decision fatigue, communication tools that support speech when words are hard, and trackers that help identify patterns before burnout or shutdown. These tools are not about productivity for its own sake. They are about conserving energy and protecting capacity.

This episode reframes technology as support rather than dependence. The goal is not to fix who you are. It is to build systems that allow you to live with dignity, autonomy, and connection in a world that is not always designed with you in mind.

Read the full guide here:

https://www.heyasd.com/blogs/autism/best-apps-for-adults-with-autism

Picture this. It’s early morning. You’ve just showered and you’re standing in front of the closet.

For many autistic adults, this ordinary moment isn’t neutral. It’s a decision point that can quietly drain energy before the day has even begun. The wrong seam, fabric, waistband, or fit can turn getting dressed into a full-body stress response. Not dramatic. Just exhausting.

In this episode, we talk about why clothing matters so much to autistic nervous systems and why it’s often misunderstood as fussiness or preference instead of regulation. I walk through how sensory processing works, how the body filters input, and why things like construction, fabric, and fit matter far more than trends or style rules.

We also get practical. Layering, test runs, backup hoodies, predictable outfits, and small adjustments that reduce friction and protect energy. This isn’t about finding the perfect outfit. It’s about designing mornings that don’t cost more than they give.

This episode reframes clothes as tools for regulation, not just fashion. If accessibility includes ramps and captions, it should also include wardrobes. Comfort is not a luxury. It’s infrastructure.

Read the full guide here:

https://www.heyasd.com/blogs/autism/clothes-for-autism

Sensory seeking doesn’t disappear when we grow up.

It just becomes quieter, more misunderstood, and often mislabelled as “coping badly” or “being distracted.”

In this episode, we talk about sensory seeking as an adult survival strategy, not a childhood quirk. We explore how pressure, movement, sound, texture, and repetition help regulate the nervous system, restore focus, and bring us back into our bodies when the world feels too loud or too fast.

We walk through real, practical examples including compression and weight, brown noise, movement breaks, and short sensory resets that actually fit into adult life and work. We also talk about reframing sensory needs from something to hide into something to design around, including quiet scripts for self-advocacy and ways to build a sensory toolkit that feels safe, personal, and sustainable.

This isn’t about fixing yourself.

It’s about recognising that your nervous system already knows what it needs and learning how to listen to it without shame.

Read the full guide here:

https://www.heyasd.com/blogs/autism/sensory-seeking-in-adults-with-autism

Many autistic adults grow up being told they’re rude, blunt, cold, or insensitive, even when they’re trying to be honest, clear, or kind.

In this episode, we unpack where that label comes from, why it sticks so painfully, and what’s actually happening beneath the surface. We explore autistic communication styles, the mismatch between autistic and neurotypical social expectations, and how directness often gets mistaken for disrespect.

This isn’t about teaching autistic people to mask better.

It’s about understanding the double empathy problem, reclaiming clarity as a strength, and letting go of shame that was never earned.

If you’ve ever been told to “say it nicer,” “soften your tone,” or felt misunderstood just for being yourself - this episode is for you.

More resources here:

https://www.heyasd.com/blogs/autism/are-autistic-people-rude