Include 'In' Autism

17/02/2026

I’m tired but I’m wired 😩

I am exhausted.

My body is done. My eyes burn. My shoulders ache.
But the second the lights go out, my brain clocks in.

It’s like I come alive at night.

Not the soft, creative kind of alive.
The wired kind. The ticking kind. The replaying every conversation I’ve had kind.

I re run the day like CCTV footage.
That look. That tone. That pause.
Did I say too much? Not enough?
Did I miss something? Forget something?
Was I too direct? Too quiet? Too much?

And just when I’m done dissecting today,
tomorrow barges in.

What if I’m late.
What if I forget.
What if I don’t have the energy.
What if something changes and I’m not ready. What if, what if, what if……

So now I’m not just tired. I’m bracing myself for something. My nervous system doesn’t know I’m in bed. It thinks I’m in danger. It thinks I need to prepare. Constant fight or flight is debilitating and wears me out.

ADHD finally has silence and decides it’s brainstorming hour. Autism wants to process every detail properly.
Anxiety wants certainty that doesn’t exist.

So I lie there. Exhausted and pray sleep will come soon. My body begging for rest. My brain refusing to power down.

And people say, “just switch off.”

If I had a switch,

don’t you think I’d use it 🤷‍♀️

15/02/2026

Imposter syndrome with ADHD is a different kind of battle. Because it’s not just doubt. It’s constant mental noise.

It’s achieving something big… and immediately thinking, ‘You’ve fooled them.’

It’s building something from the ground up,
pouring your heart into it, working twice as hard as everyone else just to stay organised…and still feeling like you’re winging it.

My brain doesn’t let me sit in success.
It constantly scans for mistakes. Replays conversations to find the mistakes. Questions my decisions. Tells me I should be further ahead. Better. Sharper. More together.

Even on days when I’ve led well,spoken well,made impact ,inside I’m battling this voice that says,
“Someone’s going to realise you’re not as capable as they think.”

ADHD makes everything louder.
The self-criticism.
The overthinking.
The comparison.

I can look confident on the outside while inside I feel like I’m sprinting to keep up with a standard that keeps moving.

And the exhausting part?
I care deeply.
I try deeply.
I feel everything deeply.

So when I doubt myself, it doesn’t feel small.
It feels heavy. Like I’m carrying success in one hand
and fear of being exposed in the other.

But here’s what I’m learning:

Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean I’m incapable.
It means I’m stretching.
It means I’m stepping into rooms that once scared me.
It means I’m growing.

And ADHD doesn’t make me an imposter.
It means my brain works differently from a neurotypical brain and I’m not less.

Some days I believe that fully. Some days I’m still fighting to.

But I’m not faking this life.
I built it and I’m proud.

Marie Jevon 2026 Include ‘In’ Autism ©

15/02/2026

“You don’t have ADHD. You’re not hyper.”

I’m not hyper?

I haven’t moved in three hours ,but my brain hasn’t shut up for three seconds.

I’ve built businesses in my head .
Quit them.
Replanned my entire life.
Panicked about the future.
Replayed the past.
Ten unfinished plans.
A full life crisis before lunch.
And convinced myself the future is about to collapse

All without standing up 😩

My hyperactivity isn’t loud. It’s relentless. Just because I look calm doesn’t mean my mind isn’t sprinting.

ADHD doesn’t have to be visible to be real.

Seriously!! Stop saying that stuff to people. Haven’t you heard of RSD and imposter syndrome ,and what it does to people 🤷‍♀️

14/02/2026

Did you know you can now download the Rainbow Guide Sunderland App? 🌈

Sunderland’s much‑loved Rainbow Guide — the go‑to guide for SEND support, written by parent carers for parent carers — is now even easier to access. 💛

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, looking for support, or just need to know what services and groups are out there, the Rainbow Guide is designed to be a light in a difficult time, bringing together local organisations, friendly groups, and parent‑led support across the city.

11/02/2026

08/02/2026

Following , we wanted to share a reminder of how important it is to speak openly about how we’re feeling❤️‍🩹🗣️

Caring responsibilities, stress, and difficult situations don’t stop at the end of the day. This poster includes local and national services that provide practical advice, emotional support, and crisis response, including options for phone and text support. Most of these services operate 24/7 and can be accessed outside of our opening hours.

Caring can be unpredictable and support may be needed at any given time; we encourage carers to keep this information accessible and share where appropriate📲



Samaritans Age UK Sunderland WWIN Specialist Domestic Abuse Services Mobilise Care