From the ANM archive · Mindfulness Monday · Original social post: 13 July 12:15
💙 When “I Can’t” Is Mistaken for “I Won’t”
This Mindset Monday, we are inviting our community to pause before judging behaviour.
Many autistic people spend years being misunderstood.
People see:
❌ Avoidance
❌ Withdrawal
❌ Missed deadlines
❌ Unanswered messages
But behind these behaviours may be:
✅ Overwhelm
✅ Anxiety
✅ Burnout
✅ PDA (Persistent Drive for Autonomy)
This Mindset Monday, we are inviting our community to pause before judging behaviour.
“I can’t” is not always “I won’t.”
For many autistic and neurodivergent people, including those who experience PDA—often understood as a Persistent Drive for Autonomy—everyday expectations can feel overwhelming, even when they relate to things we genuinely want to do.
The answer is not more shame, pressure or assumptions. It is curiosity, compassion and support.
This week, as ANM highlights Autism and PDA awareness, we are sharing our founder’s personal story of overwhelm, masking and the power of finally finding the language to understand herself.
Read the full LinkedIn blog: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-i-cant-mistaken-wont-my-journey-pda-udibe
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