​There's a term that gets used about people like me. High functioning. I understand why people use it — and I don't like it. But I also understand what it means to the people on the outside looking in.
It means you show up. You meet the deadlines. You seem organised, confident, capable. You might even be working above the standard. And so the assumption is made — you're fine. More than fine.
What nobody sees is what it costs.

The Gap Nobody Talks About
When you have ADHD or autism — or both — things that other people do easily take three times the mental effort. Sending an email. Making a phone call. Starting anything. Replaying the conversation you just had, wondering if you seemed rude because you forgot to ask how they were.
That alone is enough to drain you.
You've become a master of innovation just to keep up. Lists. Reminders. Routines. Scripts. Memory prompts. Systems that other people don't need — just to look like everyone else. And sometimes, you even convince yourself you're fine.
But you're not coping. You're surviving. There's a difference.