Carly Steel

Autism support & advice
linktr.ee/carlysteel

08/09/2026

elcome back to everyone who, like me, is currently emerging from the haze that was the summer holidays.

I feel like I disappeared off the face of the earth for six weeks… but the children are back at school, I’m back at work, and I’m slowly remembering who I am and what I do.

So… hi. I’m still here. Normal service is hopefully resuming.

18/08/2026

Many neurodivergent people spend years trying to fit in, meet expectations, avoid criticism, or appear ok on the outside. Over time, this can lead to exhaustion, burnout, loss of identity, anxiety, and a sense of not knowing who you really are.

Live in the Rise community I am running a webinar is designed for neurodivergent young people and adults who want to better understand masking, its impact, and what it means to live more authentically.

Join here or link in bio: https://riseasweare.org/community

Together, we'll explore the reasons we mask, the benefits and costs of masking, and how to begin reconnecting with your needs, preferences, strengths and identity in a way that feels safe and sustainable.

Led by Carly Steel Bsc PGCE MEd

03/08/2026

NEW WORKSHOP: A LOW-DEMAND APPROACH FOR ADULT LIFE

Thursday 6th August at 6pm
Live in the Rise community and available to watch on demand afterwards.

Demand avoidance isn’t only something that affects children. For adults, it can show up in work, relationships, household tasks, appointments, self-care and even the they want to do. Once something becomes expected, scheduled or urgent, it can suddenly feel much harder to begin.

In this workshop, we’ll explore what demand avoidance can feel like from the inside and what may be happening beneath it. We’ll look at anxiety, uncertainty, loss of autonomy, sensory overload, executive functioning, masking, and burnout.

We’ll also cover practical ways to make everyday life more manageable, including reducing the overall demand load, protecting choice, making tasks easier to begin, using body doubling and changing the way we communicate with ourselves and each other.

There will be plenty of real adult examples, including housework, work deadlines, healthcare appointments, plans, transitions and conversations with partners. We’ll also talk about boundaries and responsibilities, because a low-demand approach doesn’t mean that nobody can express their needs or that every demand can be removed.

You can join us live in the community at 6pm on Thursday 6th August. If you can’t make it, the recording will be available on demand afterwards.

28/07/2026

I love writing this part of the book. This part is called Rise and has been inspired by our non-profit and the community we are creating.

17/07/2026

One thing I've really noticed after speaking to so many people at the Neurodiversity Shows, Autism and ADHD Shows and other events this summer is how many people are waiting to start living.

They're waiting until they're less anxious or recovered from burnout.
Until they have finished school or changed jobs.
Until they feel more confident and they've worked themselves out.

We have this belief that life starts once we're "better" than we are now.

I get it, because I've been there too.

But what if there isn't a point where everything suddenly feels sorted? What if there will always be something you're working on?

Don't let your whole life become the waiting room.

Keep making space for the things that make you feel like you. People, places, interests. The little moments that remind you there's more to life than just getting through the day.

Personally, I know I can take on a lot. I naturally become an emotional anchor for the people around me, and I genuinely love being able to do that. But I've also learnt over the years that I need to step away sometimes too, to reconnect with myself, my children and the things that fill my own cup back up.

For me, that looks like a week of camping in the woods with my children, followed by a week of writing my book.

I'll be taking a proper break over the next couple of weeks, but I have a couple of mentoring spaces becoming available from September. If this feels like where you are right now, have a look at the link in my bio. I'll get back to any enquiries when I'm back or my lovely assistant Jess will be able to help you in my emails: [email protected]

Have a great summer!

Carly

07/07/2026

I can't overstate this.

I have referred many clients to their GPs for blood tests or gynaecologist for more tailored support.

Coaches, therapists and mentors have a responsibility to refer to the correct services and see each person holistically. We aren't medical professionals and sometimes you need multiple professionals involved on your care.

My priority is making sure you can advocate for the care you need and you aren't walking an unnecessary uphill battle.

06/07/2026

No magic wands here!

But I do have a tonne of lived and professional experience.

I've helped hundreds of neurodivergent people now and each person is different.

Something I have never done.....give generic solutions to individual people.

It isn't fair and it doesn't work.

You can absolutely step out of the cycle of neurodivergent burnout.

But your journey will be uniquely yours.

05/07/2026

Rest is the first step. It's a support strategy for burnout recovery but it is not a long term solution with the expectation that you return to the pace and expectations of the life that caused the burnout in the first place.

It takes a huge amount of courage to self-reflect and begin to make the changes needed to support a life that is sustainable and authentic. Often this includes setting boundaries, learning about your values and acting in alignment with them. Slowly leaving fear and shame behind.

Address

Leicestershire

Website

http://linktr.ee/carlysteel

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