Neurodivergent Siblings

Neurodivergent Siblings Amber and Halens versions of autism. Both very different and both happy to share. Welcome to Neurodivergent Siblings This page blogs Ambers version of Autism.

Follow for an insight on how two autistic teens navigate the world on thier way to adulthood. We will share the bits that help people understand. Featuring- schooling, socialising, family, things that go well and things that she struggles with. Our explanations are raw, we don't post textbook! We hope if you do know autism you can relate and if you don't that we can teach you a little. Ask questions, share your own thoughts and stories with us we love to hear from you.

Hi it's Amber 💜 I went for dinner with Dad and Danielle and I got new perfume.I had a good day and I'm happy to see Dad ...
03/01/2026

Hi it's Amber 💜

I went for dinner with Dad and Danielle and I got new perfume.

I had a good day and I'm happy to see Dad 😀

🎁🎄
27/12/2025

🎁🎄

Amber went and chose her own gifts for whoever she wanted to buy for. Quick chat before she went and then she was left t...
14/12/2025

Amber went and chose her own gifts for whoever she wanted to buy for. Quick chat before she went and then she was left to do it herself and the independence training is clearly working.

She's also a fast shopper which is great 😂

Hi it's Amber 💜 I'm waiting for my haircut with Jess
03/12/2025

Hi it's Amber 💜

I'm waiting for my haircut with Jess

23/11/2025

Something we weren't sure would happen, Amber has completed work experience!! It has absolutely built her confidence and social interactions and she is showing more of what we've had at home.

Super proud of her

09/11/2025

Understanding processing is absolutely crucial to doing the best for your autistic loved one or student or employee.

NT brains will typically skip information they don't find useful but autistic brains don't. Look at a space in your room and describe it, but look at colours and number of objects, textures, what each object does, how they are beneficial and how they are not beneficial, are they pleasing to look at, designed for comfort, do they have a smell, what are the details of each object.

Throw in heightened sensory and the feeling of pressure to answer this in a timely manner because everyone else does it quickly but you can't say anything until everything has run through your brain because really how can you be accurate with procuring all the information. I'll tell you what I find interesting but also be worried you don't feel the same way and now I'm being looked at and a lack of patience is clearly showing so I'll say nothing or blurt out what I think I should say.

If you ask a question take a beat to wait for the answer and don't remind you're waiting for an answer, they know they're just processing first.

Nothing puts you off people more than feeling like you fail every time you speak to someone

26/10/2025

Part of Amber's autism means she isn't so forthcoming when it comes to socialising and college has focused on conversations, especially with people she doesn't know who we regularly come across like staff in places, doctors etc

It's important to know this is not linked to intelligence but anxieties and processing.

Those that have known us forever will know she would sing songs at first but not speak the words were always in there.

She also does things in leaps, she will suddenly start to do something, but again this is processing, she wants to get things right so takes her time as getting things "wrong" causes her massive anxiety (and we don't mean a bit of anxiety she shuts down completely )

So she has a stock of questions that has grown her confidence helping her have more spontaneous conversations.

Noticeable by people that know her well.

Hi it's Amber 💜 I'm making eggs for breakfast like I usually do and have no college til November. Mum is having a Hallow...
26/10/2025

Hi it's Amber 💜

I'm making eggs for breakfast like I usually do and have no college til November. Mum is having a Halloween party I'm excited!

Hi it's Amber Happy Monday morning everyone waiting for my taxi with mum cos Dad's car broke 😞
22/09/2025

Hi it's Amber

Happy Monday morning everyone waiting for my taxi with mum cos Dad's car broke 😞

08/09/2025

Things Amber needs to feel good that are unusual

- she'll dip into gravy not pour it on her food

- she does not like curtains or blinds and after her pulling down several pairs she can tolerate window sticker things ( I forget the name!)

- she has to wash all her clothes at the same time and won't wash anything until she's finished wearing it all

- she likes to wait outside from 8 am even though she doesn't get picked up til around 8.30am

-She checks what's for tea on the dot at 4 pm even if she knows we're eating later

-her college letters have to absolutely be signed on the day she brings them home

- she brings mum a hot water bottle around 6 pm every day

07/09/2025

We haven't done a tips post in a while! If you're wondering why we're qualified, well autism was first diagnosed in our family 16 years ago. Things were absolutely different then, but the methods we learnt ourselves and from autistic adults are still relevant.

1. The 6 second rule - the term is newish but theory is not. Take a pause after asking questions to give time for processing and an answer, even if your child's speech is good.

2. Really pay attention to the sensory profile of your child - we firmly believe respecting sensory is half way to making your child feel more able to deal with other things and progress with learning

3. allow positive sensory every day - one of mine loves water the other like peace and headphones - always make space for it

4. People games - as much as my two are not keen on people they have to interact with them at some point 😂 people games teach turn taking and help them to read another person

5. Intensive interaction. Essentially you're mirroring everything your child does for a period of time. Noise, actions etc to give them awareness that what they do affects other people and helps them learn to exchange

6. Do not stop stimming - honestly this one is my bug bare - it's how they regulate stress and is self management do not discourage it. If the stim is dangerous try replicating the feeling in a safer way

7. Engage the special interest as much as you can. If they're enthusiastic about something and it creates more conversation or interaction, then build on it.

8. Figure if there's a preferred way to converse - sounds ridiculous but while Amber's speech was coming through she listened better when I sang to her or put on a posh voice 😆 whatever works while it's developing then do it

9. Do not give yourself a hard time - if your child is your first introduction to autism give yourself time to learn and if you get it wrong just apologise to them. It lets them know you're doing your best and builds a stronger trusting relationship.

10. Just remember that they are very aware children and pick up on things you don't, always trust the meltdown.

Amber has some fave people and two of her favourite ladies have had babies recently so Amber has chosen a gift for them ...
28/07/2025

Amber has some fave people and two of her favourite ladies have had babies recently so Amber has chosen a gift for them today 😸

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