fuck it. shout out to "high functioning" neurodivergents
the ones who can mask easily, the ones who can get social cues, the ones who have managed to go most of their life not even knowing they were ND because they didn't present as the stereotypical ND person.
the ones who can pay attention in class, understand social etiquette, who understand societial expectations
the ones who don't feel neurodivergent enough bc they don't struggle in the same ways/areas a lot of NDs do, or they can't relate to other NDs' experiences because they always understood these things easily
the ones with high empathy, the ones who DO get the joke, the ones who are constantly told that they can't possibly be neurodivergent because they don't act like what you'd expect a neurodivergent person to act like.
you are neurodivergent enough. you are valid, and so are your experiences. not struggling as much as others do in some places doesn't mean you dont struggle at all. your condition and diagnosis is valid. your symptoms are valid. YOU ARE VALID. not checking all the supposed boxes doesn't mean you aren't neurodivergent. you are enough. you are valid. you are loved. you are valued. you matter. you belong in neurodivergent spaces, you deserve to use whatever resources are available to you, you are allowed to take up space in these communities. and i am so, so proud of you.
feel free to, and actually, i encourage you to reblog this with your experiences. we belong in this community as much as anyone else. please also tag this w/ any neurodivergent conditions i may have forgotten 💙
since this is getting lots of notes I'd like to add, even if you're undiagnosed or maybe self diagnosed, for whatever reason, (i.e. can't get access to a diagnosis, not being taken seriously, or just not wanting an official diagnosis, etc.) this still applies to you. actually especially to you folks. don't think for a second you're not valid just bc you don't have the paperwork or whatever to say it
"...and that's the weather! Now, back to you, Maria."
"Thank you, Gaspare. And now, our top story tonight—local man gets clobbered by construction. Earlier today, a man was reportedly perching on a tall building. The man, according to witnesses, proceeded to say, quote, 'I see no God up here—except for me'."
"Immediately after, he was clocked on the head by an 'inexplicably speedy' brick. He proceeded to fall two stories to the ground and was immediately rushed to a doctor. One has to wonder—was it just dumb luck, or was it divine smite? More on that at 11."
"We'll be right back with the latest updates on the aftermath of the Pazzi conspiracy after this commercial break, but until then, this has been Five in Firenze."
My idiot of an OC, Victoriano.
The law of the universe seems to be that, even across centuries, the person in charge of the Auditore braincell(s) is not among the males of the species.
I got the idea (and referenced the pose a little bit) from @sparrovv 's Breaking News: Local Man Gets Cocky post.
I would love to answer questions about this idiot, btw.
I know it's a bit late in the day, but here's day 4: Air. As always, the original inspiration for this challenge is @orphiceonian and their Codextober.