Erin Dowling (she/her) @erinstwitsexual Twitter profile

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

3 years

Dear Young Adults, You can leave. If you don’t like your doctor, walk out in the middle of your appointment. Leave the party. End the date. Don’t wait until the “polite” time to leave or endure because you think you’ll make a scene. You can go.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

#ActuallyAutistic , have you ever been accused of being manipulative or malicious when you were just misunderstood? Do you feel like it is related to the way you are interpreted as an Autistic person?

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@caligirltweets Yes! I told a therapist “Some of your responses haven’t engendered trust and I don’t wish to continue this relationship.” So empowering!

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@LemonMombley There’s no research that proves there’s any benifit to homework. However, there’s a ton of research that proves spending time with family, playing outside, engaging in extra curricular activities- all benefits that improve well being overall; therefore increasing success

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@blkgirllostkeys I was recently let go by a doctor for asking him not to gaslight me about my ADHD diagnosis. He said “so you had an adult onset of ADHD?” 🙄 Sir…. that was disingenuous and unnecessary.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@JDaviesPhD “So you had an adult onset of ADHD?“ said with a snarky tone. My response: “no, I was medically neglected as a child.” 😐

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

#ActuallyAutistic , let’s say that after working on unmasking for about two years, you find out that your best friend doesn’t like the unmasked version of you, and they no longer want to be friends. They don’t see it as an issue with you being Autistic. What do you do?

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

#ActuallyAutistic , how do you feel about being told “just be yourself” when you ask for advice about networking in your career field as an Autistic person?

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@CasualCostumer @bastlynn Uhg solidarity. This is so real.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

8 years

@PLUTOCASH qualified according to whom?

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

Raise your hand if you are #ActuallyAutistic and you didn’t understand that your family was abusive until you started spending time at your friend’s houses. ✋🏻

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@shivanourpanah @ProfessorNati You can! I went on a date once and the guy was immediately rude to the waitress and I just got back up and walked out. No explanation, just a quick apology and extra tip for the waitress.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@neiltyson Was it this one? Im late to this conversation but saw this on Facebook and came here to confirm.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@1Schoolhouse A changing who existed in a perpetual liminal state between a childlike unworldliness and uncanny wisdom. Her propensity towards mischief and capriciousness made her tiresome and fearsome to her family. They grieved their loss endlessly. (Autistic ADHD)

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@awesomebrandi Yup! I believe now that my mothers irritability was her being overstimulated. Among other things, but this one was significant because it directly speaks to the abuse I went through.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@gotmykickson66 I hear you! I also have chronic pain and I am disabled. My approach is to document everything in a binder and I’m not afraid to escalate. In fact my therapist told me that there’s no need to screen for Autism in Adults, and I escalated it all the way to a compliance committee

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

“I don’t see you as your disabilities” is not the encouraging statement you think it is. Any #ActuallyAutistic or #DisabilityTwitter want to help me explain why?

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@mightbeautistic Done pretending to ignore subtext. I bring it to the surface and it unnerves the NTs every time.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

4 years

@docm77 “When I'm sometimes asked 'When will there be enough (women on the Supreme Court)?' and my answer is: 'When there are nine.' People are shocked. But there'd been nine men, and nobody's ever raised a question about that." - Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

ADHD meds are helping. My thoughts are clearer and I’m less exhausted. I’m not interrupting myself with my own thoughts as much. I guess I have ADHD. 🙃 #ADHD #adhdtwitter #neurodivergent

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@0liviajulianna I remember hearing my history teacher say this in Elementary school. Even then I was like… what were the states rights ABOUT then?? She was adamant. And I got in trouble. They still teach this nonsense in Texas schools.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

Please tell me why I retweeted the exact same sentiment and not a living soul was bothered. I’ll wait.

René Brooks | Black Girl, Lost Keys

@blkgirllostkeys

3 years

It’s strange how offended some folks are over this. Lateness is unacceptable to you for whatever reason (which is totally ok). The person is habitually late. What about that says continue making plans that require punctuality? At what point is the expectation unreasonable?

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@Farronox Lol I love it! She knew!

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@lyta_gold This is 100% incorrect. This is like saying ADHD doesn’t exist, you’re just antsy.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@OrangePaulp Yes! Someone recorded my Autistic meltdown for nefarious reasons recently. So harmful.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

This is so true and got me thinking! Isn’t it weird that even at conferences filled with teachers and therapists and advocates - really great people!- there’s still the group who doesn’t like you for whatever Neurodivergent trait they happen to see as an annoying character flaw.

René Brooks | Black Girl, Lost Keys

@blkgirllostkeys

3 years

People: Why should I have to tolerate you being late? Me: You don’t, and I’d prefer you didn’t. Let’s not meet up anymore. People: . . . Me: Oh, this was the part where I promise to try harder and feel like you’re secretly grading me over five minutes, right? No thanks.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

4 years

@ZombieCleo I hope she’s ok. Thank you for sending her help as best you could. The comments here are disappointing. She was asking for help and you gave it to her. Others would just mock her or blame her, like some of these commenters are. From someone who has had many near misses - thanks.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

Dear Young Adult self, Stop saying you’re ok so you don’t make a scene. Make a scene. Love, The Middleaged Version

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

Who else has been called rude when they had no idea how they were being rude? #ActuallyAutistic

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@adamfare1996 Semantics is the meaning of words, and that matters. Someone “commits” a crime, a mistake, or an immoral act. There’s imbedded judgment and stigma attached to that word. “died of suicide” or something similar is removes the stigma and gives dignity to the person who suffered.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

Please respond to my abusive ex whose words are ringing in my ears atm. He said, “I shouldn’t have to tell you to make me dinner when I get home from work.” 😑 What would you say to that?

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@carrol2_j If this wasn’t so common…. I’m in a similar situation, and apparently men leaving their sick partners is common enough that nurses warn women about it when they are in the hospital. How do people live with themselves? All the anxiety and distress this causes makes things worse.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

To people worried that people who are into #bdsm are just traumatized and that’s why they’re into kink. So? And? Some people play extreme sports to get dopamine and adrenaline. Some people take drugs. Being a trauma survivor does NOT invalidate your choice to be kinky.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@arrowsmithlesl1 In the street even! 😂💕

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@lyta_gold “Giftedness” is neurodivergence. The reason they have separate smaller classes is because most of them are autistic or have all the neurodivergent attributes that get gaslighted, like sensory sensitivity and anxiety and perfectionism. It’s a real thing and not just “smart kids.”

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@preston_shipp At least we agree that human problems require human effort to solve.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@isaiah_bb I guess they’ve been to at least one protest, because that’s a pretty common chant. And they understand that 3M isn’t the “rich” we want to eat I mean tax. It’s like 10 people.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@BrysonButcher10 @lutiuchis What is considered rude has definitely changed. Older generations tend to think they have a right to comment on other peoples bodies and health issues, where the new generations feel that that is rude.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

1 year

Example: Bring a notebook and pen to your doctor appointment, and when they inevitably say some gaslighting BS about ADHD or Autism, stare at them blankly for a full uncomfortable 5 seconds, and then write it down without letting them see the page. It unnerves them.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@saltphoenix @JimothyBurg1ary @Anarcish Ah dang it I thought I had an original thought lol

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

You know when you’re emotionally abused and neglected for a long time and they convince you that your reasonable response is completely out of line? That’s why these responses are helping.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@0liviajulianna Definitely consider running for local office. Your interview on MSNBC was fantastic.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@autienelle This tweet is giving me so much joy. Hendrix, my body guard for 20+ yrs, decided to sail away on a cruise ship forever just before COVID. I miss his quiet yet ferocious nature. I hope he’s with someone who loves him like I did.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

I’m speaking to someone who needs this message. Siblings don’t have a right to abuse you. They don’t have the right to hit you, to hold you down, to break down doors to get to you, to antagonize you to tears, to mock you, or publicly humiliate you.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@MattNel23 It’s possible for it to be disabling to some, and not others. I’m always a fan of allowing people to self identify as they choose. If he doesn’t want to be considered disabled, great. If someone else does, also great.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

If it was bad enough that you took a screenshot to save something someone said - don’t block out their name. We’re naming names now.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

You deserve a lover who takes away the lies and brings you hope, coffee, and poetry. - Frida Kahlo

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@GeminiTayMC This seems like a recipe for burn out. You need to play however you’re happy. Seems like Empires storyline is kinda coming to a close anyway?

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@sa_bux__ @atburtka Can I be proud of you too?

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

If you know someone who has chronic pain or I has mental health problems, let them nap at your house. Really grateful to people who understood I needed to be around people but not engage when I was in the worst place mentally and physically.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

I would like 10 attentions please. Thank you.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@lauralake3 @YasminYonis Yes! This happens and it’s not fair. I ask a lot of questions. “What do you mean by that?” “Is there a different way you can explain that?” And I follow up each appointment with a message in MyChart detailing anything that made me uncomfortable.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

You don’t have to tell anyone. You can get the vaccine and then just keep it a secret. If you’re feeling social pressure against it but you want to get it.. you can just not tell people. It’s ok. #CovidIsNotOver #Vaccinated #DeltaVariant

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@0liviajulianna I Love humanity in theory, but in practice people generally are disappointing.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@ProfAlang They know how terrifying they are and he used that to terrorize you. I hope you’re able to process this trauma with someone. 💕

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

I’m always suprised at the amount of people who know that unemployment rates for Autistic people are about 80% but think the reason I can’t hold a job very long is a personal flaw. #ActuallyAutistic

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

“I’ll pray for you.” Thanks, I’ll dance naked in an oak grove for you.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

4 years

@davidwappel That’s a really generous gift. How brave of him to ask and how kind of you to oblige.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@preston_shipp I feel like there’s extra steps in this process that aren’t necessary.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

7 years

My rapist is known as TopDrop or TiltedKilt in Portland Maine. His real name is Hugh. I name him alongside Sean Grey, rope artist and photographer in Dallas. Charlie Glickman. Reid Mihalko. I encourage you to add the name of your abuser to the list. I believe you. #metoo

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@GeraintWorks Breaking down long term goals into smaller increments is one of those “hidden curriculum” skills autistic students struggle with. They need explicit instructions while NTs seem to be able to learn these skills by some sort of osmosis.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@hmm_cook High anxiety but a calm face. Heart pounding and sweaty hands but smiling and laughing. Appearing aloof or standoffish (quiet and disengaged). Customer service voice. Stim suppression. No echolalia.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@BrysonButcher10 @lutiuchis Gen Z and Gen A prioritize their own health more so than any other generation before them, and are more willing to advocate for themselves when they are being marginalized. I love YA and kids so much. I really admire and I am inspired by their no BS attitudes.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

My birthday is tomorrow and I have an interview. Wish me luck!

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

When I went through my divorce my ex husband used my childhood journal against me in court. My attorney told me to stop writing things down. He wouldn't return the journal. This is probably also my villain origin story. Or at least the reason I keep writing.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@ginnyhogan_ Because I’m one of those people who had a “bad picker” because of severe trauma but I did a lot of work on boundary setting and self worth. Our 6th anniversary was this week!

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@ProfessorCrush That’s…. They gaslit you about gaslighting. 🫠 My brain just melted a little bit. What did you say?

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@AutisticCoach_ 🥺 you’re speaking to my exact situation. 😭 whyyyyyy I’m so exhausted of this

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@macdoin @ingloriousgigi Wow doctors experience this too! Thank you for sharing that

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

What’s the worst consequence you’ve endured when you spoke truth to power?

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

I’m 42 today! 🥳

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

These are making me feel better.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

Ask yourself why it’s illegal to be paid for doing sexual activities… unless there’s a camera in the room and it’s published for public consumption. #sexworkiswork #sexualfreedom

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@AutisticCoach_ Such a love hate relationship. They help me when I’m feeling sad or anxious or uncomfortable, but I hate being wet and I don’t like how things stick to you if your damp.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

For the love of god. Millennials are 40. If you’re still on social media talking down to millennials like they are teenagers, you’re just making yourself sound ancient.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

So I’ve been looking for yrs for a DR who can do #EMDR . Sometimes they don’t even know what that is, or they don’t think it’s a real thing, or I don’t have access to it bc insurance My new LCSW asked me if I’ve heard of EMDR and bilateral tapping and I was like …. 👀👀 #CPTSD

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@AutisticCallum_ Kid? lol 😆

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

Pretty sure my dog has PTSD. She cries softly sometimes at night. But she sure does look cute in her black hoodie. One like = one pet. #servicedog #AdoptDontShop

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@eve_faber @RebeccaCokley @Twitter I’ve never seen a doctor admit they didn’t know something 😳 You must be a really really good doctor.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@Deezovariez This is real! I’m so sorry that happened to you. Drs are powerful gatekeepers and it’s so difficult to get something off your medical record once it’s there 💕

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

Congratulations to both @GeminiTayMC and @impulseSV for reaching 900k subscribers this month. Amazing talent and lovely people. #hermitcraftseason8 #Minecraft 🥳

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

I remember feeling like a charlatan when I wrote this early last year because I wasn’t formally diagnosed yet. But that’s just internalized gaslighting! It’s so hard to get diagnosed, it took me 10 years. If you’re in pain, I believe you. No doctors note needed. #Fibromyalgia

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

Why come when you tell me I should pray to jebus, you’re saving me, but when I tell you to go into an oak grove and chant to appease the Underworld, you get offended. 😞 Unfair.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

A year ago a doctor told me fibromyalgia didn’t exist. I switched doctors and then still had to advocate for myself to get a referral to a rheumatologist. He diagnosed me, and it opened up services never in my reach before. #RealPainStories #PainAwarenessMonth @national_pain

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

What if 😍

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@ItsSoLinz @UncorkedWitch I did this too when I was getting my fibromyalgia diagnosis. For years no one listened. Recently My PCP didn’t believe me and I had to advocate for months for even a referral. The Rheumatologist spoke to me for 10 minutes and diagnosised. Keep asking!

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

1 year

@TicsnTatts Pretending that you like someone because they are useful.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

Things I do to advocate for myself when there’s no option for other Drs: 1. Keep a documentation binder and carry it with you to every appointment. Make a point of showing they you are documenting every response and interaction. Do it in front of their face. Ask them to clarify

Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

Dear Young Adults, You can leave. If you don’t like your doctor, walk out in the middle of your appointment. Leave the party. End the date. Don’t wait until the “polite” time to leave or endure because you think you’ll make a scene. You can go.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

10 years

I'm proud of the young activists in #Ferguson . they've become powerful advocates for justice. We need more like them.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

Read your doctors notes. They hate that and it will annoy them, but you’ll be surprised at how the narrative gets twisted. I get mine through MyChart. You can ask them to clarify and amend. I approach my doctor appointments like they are business meetings. Data. Record keeping.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

At this point if you’re showing off your gaming setup and there’s hogwarts legacy on your desktop, you are 💯 making a statement, and that’s the ick for me. Gross.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

8 years

You know what is sorely lacking from adult sex education? Teachers.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

I love that I have friends in their 60s who are enjoying putting cute cat stickers on their laptop for the first time.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

@impulseSV good luck on your health journey! Be sure to let us know when your campaign is over so those of us who don’t want to hear about weight loss can start watching your stream again.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

8 years

Be clear with your consent. Don't ask for Netflix and chill when what you want is Hulu and BDSM. #consentcounts #huluandbdsm #sexpositive

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

3 years

Make sure to include dates in your documentation. “I asked to be screened for Autism/ADHD on April 6. Today is August 3. When can I have a referral?” “On June 7 you stated _____. On July 12____ occurred.”

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

8 years

If you listen close enough you can hear all the sex toy retailers and educators throwing @Lelo_Official products in the trash. #CharlieSheen

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@ohthefreemanity There were leftovers and he asked me how to eat them… “Do I just spoon it out? Or….?” Did…. Did you just ask me how to serve yourself chicken and rice?

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@adamfare1996 If there’s a “misunderstanding” with a co-worker or admin, it is 100% bc someone assumed I meant something I didn’t say, didn’t bother asking for clarification, and then acted on that assumption as if it were fact.

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Erin Dowling (she/her)

@erinstwitsexual

2 years

@quality_nguyen I experienced these same kind of “commitment tests” as a teacher and it drove me bananas. The assumption being that if I went home I didn’t care about the kids? I lost a lot of precious time with my own son because I was manipulated by this allistic, corporate double-speak.

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