The metaphor of 'Acorns Produced at Different Stages' for me, captures neurodivergent growth. As an autistic individual, over time, I’ve learned that development doesn’t follow a standardised timeline. This can be compared to oak trees producing acorns when they’re ready. We grow in our own time.
Growing up, societal expectations around milestones, including language, social skills, communication, it took me longer to develop such skills. But, over time, I’ve come to see that, like seeds growing unseen, progress happens even when it’s not immediately visible.
Social skills and language took years of observation and practice for me. What may have come more naturally to others required more in terms of patience and effort on my part. Like my weekly park runs, where comparing yourself to others can be discouraging, I’ve come to realise growth isn’t about keeping pace but about moving forward in a way that’s right for me.
Doubt often made me wonder if I was learning fast enough, but I now understand the real question: Am I growing authentically? True acceptance means embracing different ways of thinking and learning. As Autism Awareness Month is here at the time of writing this, I reflect on the need for more than awareness. Acceptance can allow us all to grow without pressure, in our own time, as nature intends.
What are your thoughts on personal growth and development timelines?
Do you ever feel you weren't meeting expectations that didn’t align with your natural pace?
Have you ever had moments when you might have realised you were growing in your own way?
Do you have a metaphor or experience that helped you understand personal growth differently?
I’d be interested in hearing your experiences, thoughts and perspectives in the comments section.
It’s that time of the year again when the new academic year starts at school. And this can lead to mixed feelings for neurodiverse children, including those with autism. Feelings can include how they may readjust to the school environment again after a considerable period away. I haven’t posted for a while, as I have […]
It's that time of year again, and a short post to relate to it. Below are a number of activity ideas of my own linked to Christmas for you to have fun with. 1.Try to think of as many words as you can that are linked to Christmas, e.g star, tree. 2.If the weather is […]
In workplaces, “excellent communication skills” are often been mentioned in job specifications, but what does this really mean—especially from an autistic perspective? In this episode, I share my unique insights on the impact of diverse styles in professional settings. Being an autistic individual, I reflect on how roles like Data entry and data processing allowed […]
