LIMINAL KIN

AuDHD: Expressing Injustice Sensitivity Through Art

Caroline has always been told she is too loud, that she is too quick to speak out about what doesn’t involve her. What does that mean with her new autism diagnosis?

Illustration by the author

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Caroline isn’t real. I am trying to talk to different parts of myself through Liminal Kin, a form of internal family systems or parts work. It’s a fun way to understand complex emotions without getting too attached to the feelings I’ve tried to ignore for so long, before my diagnosis. It turns fear into my favorite emotion: curiosity.

Caroline has always been outspoken and driven — her ADHD was diagnosed early, but her autism flew under the radar until adulthood. Now she’s wondering how to reach the usually quieter, creative parts of herself and let them speak, so they don’t explode at inopportune times.

Q: How can I express my anger about injustice without being “too loud” or “too much”?

Making art when I’m alone or with people I trust has been the best way to soothe my injustice sensitivity burns.