u/isis375

I'm wondering if anyone else is always accused of sounding like AI when they type, or if this is just me.

I've always been hyperverbal and very analytical in how I think, and I'm a former gifted kid that grew up reading constantly. I also always loved language, was originally an English major in college, and took grammar courses for fun. I also tend to learn by understanding the WHOLE structure/rationale of something before I can take it apart into pieces.

Add in pretty significant RSD so when I put something like a post or comment online, I am probably doing like a million revisions and edits to make sure the tone is right and nothing could be taken the wrong way. That plus being a late diagnosed high masking AuDHD women just makes me type out super wordy, over-explaining, overly detailed/analytical posts.

Then I get accused of sounding like AI.

Part of me thinks people use that as a way to dismiss what I'm saying. The other part of me is like - I just sound like this!

I’ve been thinking a lot about what it actually means to be an affirming clinician. This applies across everything we do - neurodivergence, culture, race, gender identity, sexuality. If you say you’re affirming, you have to be able to hear valid criticism from the people you’re claiming to affirm. If you shut it down because it feels uncomfortable, that’s not affirming. That’s protecting your identity.

Edit for clarity: When I say “affirming,” I’m referring to identity‑affirming clinical practice. Which is care that doesn’t pathologize someone’s identity and centers the lived experience of the communities we serve. I realized some people were reading “affirming” as “emotionally validating,” which isn’t what I mean here.

And this includes me. Being part of a community doesn’t make anyone automatically right. We all have blind spots shaped by the environments we grew up in. We all internalize things without realizing it. I want people in my own communities to tell me when I’m missing something or getting something wrong. That’s part of the work.

And when I’m not part of a community, I’m responsible for listening to the people who are. I don’t get to override their lived experience with my interpretation. If you’re trying to be affirming, the people living that identity get the final say on what feels harmful or helpful.

Affirming care requires reflection. It requires being willing to hear “this hurt me” or “this approach misses the mark” without collapsing into defensiveness. If you can’t tolerate being told you might be wrong, or that your framework has blind spots (like prioritizing behavioral compliance over internal nervous system regulation), you’re not practicing affirming care. You’re just using the label.