About us
Clear, calm help for autistic adults
Autistic Insights is a free collection of articles, tools and templates to help you understand yourself and make everyday life a little easier.
Not clinical. Not overwhelming. Just practical things you can read in a few minutes and use straight away.
Why we exist
Lots of autistic adults, especially people who discover they’re autistic later in life, find that useful information is scattered, hard to read, written for parents or professionals, or locked behind a paywall.
We want one calm, predictable place where you can:
- make sense of experiences like burnout, shutdowns and sensory overload
- find simple tools that help with energy, routines and everyday tasks
- explain what you need to the people around you
Who’s behind this
Hi, I’m Al. I’m autistic and ADHD, and I wasn’t diagnosed until my mid-thirties.
Growing up, I always felt different. I never quite fitted into any group, and I didn’t share the same interests as other kids. I was quiet, happiest in my own company, and noise and busy places overwhelmed me. In the back of my mind there was always one thought: I’m not normal.
A corporate career brought it all to a head. I burnt out more than once, and people read me as standoffish when I was really just overwhelmed. Eventually I went and got assessed.
The diagnosis felt like a huge weight being lifted. For the first time I had an explanation, and permission to be a bit more myself. I still mask, social situations still take a lot out of me, and being ADHD as well brings its own challenges.
I built Autistic Insights because I wish I’d had something like this years earlier: clear, practical help that doesn’t talk down to you.
What we believe
Free first
Articles and tools are free to read and use. No signup, no email, no paywall.
Honest about evidence
We label lived experience, practical tips and research separately, and link to our sources.
Everyone is different
Not everything here will fit you. Take what helps and leave the rest.
Calm by design
No pop-ups, autoplay, streaks or pressure. Change colours and text size whenever you like.
Private by default
Our tools work without accounts. What you enter stays on your device.
Shaped by you
We ask what helps and change things based on what you tell us.
What you’ll find here
- Short articlesFive-minute reads on energy, sensory needs, executive function, communication and work.
- Free tools and templatesLike the energy diary, which keeps your entries private on your own device.
- Apps we’re buildingEnergy and Calm: two gentle apps for the things a website can’t do, like daily check-ins and help in the moment.
Meet Sage
Sage is our owl. Owls notice things others miss, need quiet to recharge, and do their best thinking in their own way. Sage turns up across the site and on Instagram, wherever a friendly face helps.
Recharging
Knows that rest isn't lazy.
Turning the world down
Never leaves home without headphones.
Having an insight
Wears the gold infinity with pride.
Autistic and ADHD?
You’re very welcome here. Many autistic people are also ADHD (sometimes called AuDHD), and lots of what we cover matters to both: energy, executive function, sensory needs and routines.
Where something is likely to help with ADHD too, we label it Also relevant to ADHD. Our focus stays on autistic adults, so we’ll say when something is autism-specific.
Say hello
Tell us what helps, what doesn’t, and what you’d like to see next. Follow along on Instagram at @autistic_insights or visit our contact page.