Lived-experience conversations · coming soon

A chat withAnnika.

A future space to talk through autistic life with another autistic person. Honest conversation, personal perspective, and room to be a whole human—once the boundaries and booking process are ready.

See how it works ↓

Annika smiling outside in a bright pink hoodie

Human first. Autistic always.

What I’m developing

Two ways to connect.

Both ideas are still being built carefully. Neither option is open for booking, payment, or submissions yet.

01 · Live conversationComing soon

75-minute video or audio chat

A longer conversation with time to settle in, share context, ask questions, and focus on what matters to you. I tried shorter sessions; they did not leave enough room for the kind of genuine conversation I want to offer.

See what I’m developing ↓

02 · Written responseComing soon

Written peer responses are still in development.

I still care about creating an option for people who do not want or cannot comfortably have a live conversation. I am taking more time to make the process clear, accessible, and sustainable.

Read the pause note ↓

What does a chat feel like?

Comfortable, honest, and still respectful.

This is not a polished office performance. It is a real conversation with someone who understands that comfort and communication can look different for autistic people.

What you can expect from me

No pressure to make eye contact or sit perfectly still.
Camera on or off—the conversation can be video or audio.
I may look away because eye contact can feel too intimate and make speaking harder for me.
I may stim, move around, or play with my hands while we talk.
I may arrive in the jeans I wore to class, a hoodie, or other comfortable clothes.
I will be prepared, respectful, and present—and I will still come as myself.

What I expect from you

Give the intake form enough detail and energy to help me prepare for you.
Bring a few topics, questions, or experiences you would like to explore.
Wear appropriate clothing and communicate respectfully.
Join from wherever you can speak privately enough for your own comfort.
Tell me whether gentle, direct, balanced, or slower communication helps you.
Please tell me if something I say is not helping, feels wrong, or does not fit. Thoughtful disagreement will not offend me.

I’m especially good at talking about—and genuinely listening to:

self-advocacy with friendsself-advocacy at school or workunmaskingbig feelingssensory needsidentity after diagnosisgentle, direct, or balanced communicationchallenging internalized ableismwhat I needed from parents as an autistic kidcelebrating autism while acknowledging disabilityfinding language for needs and boundaries

Written peer responses

Coming soon—without rushing the process.

The form and delivery system started to become more complicated than I can responsibly manage right now. Pausing gives me room to work it through with my lawyer and build something I can actually sustain.

The idea is not gone

Accessibility still matters to me.

I still want a way for people to connect without speaking live. I am simply not accepting stories, questions, or payment until I know the process is manageable for me and clear for the people using it.

Why talk to me?

I don’t have a degree in being autistic. I am autistic.

I started sharing my life because I wanted to show up honestly. People connected with the parts that were vulnerable, funny, complicated, and familiar.

Since I began creating content, hundreds—if not thousands—of people have privately asked for personalized thoughts and support. I cannot responsibly answer everyone through DMs. That interest is one reason I am developing a structured, bounded way to offer the kind of conversation I wish I had while navigating my diagnosis.

My university education and content work shape how I listen and communicate, but they do not make me a clinician—or the voice of every autistic person. I am still learning about myself too. I really am a peer.

Is this right for me?

A good fit matters.

I would rather be honest about what I can offer than pretend I am the right person for everyone.

This might be for you if…

You’re an autistic adult who wants to talk about identity, unmasking, sensory needs, relationships, routines, or everyday autistic life.
You’re a caregiver who genuinely wants the perspective of a young autistic adult.
You want a real conversation grounded in lived experience.

This is not the right fit if…

You are looking for therapy, a diagnosis, treatment, or crisis support.
You need medical, legal, or other professional advice.
You want one person to give you the universal autistic answer.
You need support that falls outside Annika’s lived experience or clearly stated boundaries.

One honest note about my experience:

My lived experience is closest to speaking autistic adults with lower support needs. Other autistic experiences are just as real and important. I will be transparent when I do not have the experience or ability to offer the support someone needs.

Let’s talk about money

Why is my time paid?

My public content and advocacy will continue to be free. When private peer support eventually opens, payment will cover the time, preparation, attention, and individualized work involved in showing up for one person.

I also understand that paying for this kind of support is a privilege. As Annika Unmasked grows, I want to explore more accessible options without promising something I cannot offer yet. Sustainable income is what gives me the time to keep creating, learning, and building this work for the long term.

Both services are coming soon

Nothing is open for booking yet.

I am finalizing the intake process, agreements, privacy details, and safety boundaries before accepting appointments. There is no booking link or payment form connected to this website right now. The interest lists above are only for service-availability updates.

Live conversation

Coming soon

Annika Unmasked: A Chat with Annika

A future 75-minute video or audio conversation. The structure, agreements, and boundaries are being professionally reviewed before any appointments are offered.

No bookings or payments open

Written response

Coming soon

Written peer responses

This option is paused while I work out a clear and sustainable process.

No submissions or payments open