Picture this: a room. There are four chairs in it.
ADHD
I'm full of energy! At last! Let's spend it right away, do a million things, or I'll suffocate.
Autism
Stop. I've been saving this energy, bit by bit. This is what we need to survive. 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 take action, while autism prefers to save energy. A crisis just waits. 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.
It’s time for the second round!
ADHD
If I'm stopped, I'll probably start fidgeting like crazy. 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. Anyway, at some point you'll come back to me. I've got time.
Me
I'm not sure if you have time, Crisis, but I've got my ways. I can burn only as much as I want. I can protect the reserve. You're not my story's only ending.
This is the third round.
ADHD
It's not fair that I'm always held back. I want to live fully!
Autism
I'm just trying to keep us safe, not hold you back. If we don't have a plan, we're done for.
Crisis
The faster ADHD goes wild, the sooner you'll be back to me. At least you can predict what's going to happen there.
Me
I hear you. ADHD wants life, Autism wants safety, and crisis promises an easy end. I decided to mix it up a bit and take a piece from each, while still being myself.
This is the fourth round.
ADHD
Hey, so I'm curious, how much can I get? At least a bit of risk?
Autism
Only if there's structure left.
Crisis
' I'll be here, no matter what. Always.
Me
I'm the one who sets the rules. ADHD gets a bit of action, and Autism gets a plan and some structure. Crisis gets closed doors. I'm sitting in the fourth chair, so I'll decide.
This is an autistic adaptation of ACT.
Metaphors that are neurotypical are worth simplifying — translating them into structure, maps, and an observer perspective. Instead of leaves on a river, there are voices on chairs. ADHD, Autism, and Crisis each have their own thing going on, and on the fourth chair sits the one who watches and chooses. This way, instead of chaos, distance and a map emerge. The narrative shifts from ‘I am a contradiction’ to ‘I experience conflicting parts — and I am the one choosing.’