5 Things Autistic People Do That Others Don’t

Neurodiverse people aren’t “too sensitive.” Our brains are processing far more than most people´s. In this episode I explore five everyday behaviours often seen in autistic and ADHD people but rarely seen in others - rehearsing conversations, crashing after socialising, being overwhelmed by background noise, forgetting basic needs like food and water, and only realising what was really going on hours or days later. I share how each of these shows up in ADHD vs autism, why they’re often misread as laziness, rudeness, or drama and what’s really happening in your brain and nervous system. This episode will help you to swap shame and self‑blame for understanding and kinder ways of supporting yourself and your children. EPISODE REVEALS Whether you suffer from ADHD, Autism, or both, which is far more common than you think, learning to be kind yourself is the key to coping with the extra issues you have to deal with Replaying conversations in your head is common with ADHD because you are working hard not to forget, blurt or go off track. With autism it is a symptom of carefully using scripting to decode social rules and avoid getting it wrong. Looking fine but crashing immediately after interacting with others is often means ADHD brains have been forcing focus and inhibition, while autistic brains have been masking and analysing every interaction. Background noise wrecks focus. For ADHD minds, attention is drawn to every single sound. That creates full‑body overload. With autism all sounds arrive at once. There is no background noise, every sound has to be processed simultaneously. Forgetting self‑care, eating or drinking is rarely laziness. In ADHD hyperfocus and time blindness pull attention away from the body. While for autistic people interoception often mutes hunger and thirst. Blanking in the moment but suddenly understanding what someone is telling you hours or days later shows up in both ADHD and Autism. BEST MOMENTS "The more you know yourself, the more you understand why you're different, the easier … it gives you another tool in your toolbox to understand who you are." "Replaying conversations afterwards, and the fear of judgement over and over again in your mind. It goes round and round. What could I have done differently. You beat yourself up. This is where the kindness comes in play.” RESOURCES Famisafe Parental control App Link: https://wondersharesoftware.pxf.io/ParentingAUDHD What to Do When Your Child Shuts Down: Real-World Parenting Strategies for Neurodivergent Kids Who Shut Down, Refuse School, or Just Stop communicating with you: https://amzn.eu/d/0fBIfbhR https://www.newmetherapy.com CLIFF´S SERVICES Are you struggling with anxiety and want support from someone who has been there and come out the other side? - Message Cliff here and take advantage of his founding members offer: https://m.me/cliff.kilmister CONTACT ME Instagram: @cliff_kilmister08 Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/cliff.kilmister X - @KilmisterCliff YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingAutismandADHD HOST BIO Cliff Kilmister is a dedicated parent, advocate, and cat whisperer with firsthand experience raising a child with autism, ADHD, and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Having navigated the challenges of school refusal, meltdowns, and sensory sensitivities, Cliff brings an empathetic, real-world perspective to the podcast. When he's not helping his child thrive, he’s dodging the evil stares of his three cats, who are plotting to take over the world (fortunately, they still haven’t figured out how to use the tin opener). Cliff offers practical advice, expert insights, and personal stories to help families facing similar struggles. Cliff is focused on connecting with professionals and networks to raise awareness about the growing need for the education system to adapt to the increasing neurodiverse population. Join the community on Patreon to share experiences, access exclusive content, and work together for change! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/