Tags: #autism #ADHD #ACT #emotions #regulation
Imagine a room. There are four chairs in it.
ADHD
I have energy! Finally! Let's spend it immediately, let's do a million things, or I'll suffocate.
Autism
Stop. I've been saving this energy drop by drop. This is fuel for survival. You can't burn it all in one evening.
Crisis
Go ahead, ADHD. Go wild. The faster you burn through it, the sooner I'll have you at 9/10 again. I'm waiting.
Me
I see you all. ADHD wants to act, Autism wants to conserve, Crisis just waits. And I try to stop ADHD because I know how this story ends. This is my daily battle – negotiating with myself so I don't hand over all the energy to one of you.
Second Round
ADHD
But if I'm stopped, I'll fidget until I explode. I need at least a bit of action.
Autism
We can do a bit, but in a controlled rhythm. Structure, not chaos.
Crisis
Have fun. Either way, sooner or later you'll come to me. I have time.
Me
Maybe you have time, Crisis, but I also have my ways. I can burn only as much as I want. I can protect the reserve. You're not my story's only ending.
Third Round
ADHD
It's unfair that I'm always held back. I want to live fully!
Autism
I'm protecting us, not holding you back. Without structure there won't be a tomorrow.
Crisis
The faster ADHD goes wild, the sooner you'll return to me. At least everything is predictable there.
Me
I hear you. ADHD wants life, Autism wants safety, Crisis promises an easy end. And I choose something different – take a piece from each and continue being myself.
Fourth Round
ADHD
How much can I get? At least a bit of risk?
Autism
Only if there's structure left.
Crisis
I'll be here anyway. Always.
Me
I set the rules. ADHD gets a small dose of action, Autism gets a plan and frames. Crisis gets closed doors. Because I'm sitting on the fourth chair and I decide.
This is an autistic adaptation of ACT.
Neurotypical metaphors are worth simplifying and translating into structure, maps, and observer perspective. Instead of leaves on a river – voices on chairs. ADHD, Autism and Crisis each speak in their own voice, and on the fourth chair sits the one who watches and chooses. This way, instead of chaos, distance and a map appear.
This gives an observer perspective and the possibility to negotiate between them. It changes the inner narrative from “I am a contradiction” to “I have contradictory parts, but I am the one sitting on the fourth chair and choosing”.