Friendly Introduction
So who am I? Its complicated. My name’s Joshua Stafford. I’m autistic and ADHD, and that has led to a lot of issues in life that I’ve had to overcome. One of these aspects is working. I’ve never had an easy time engaging in the working world. When I was younger and in school, I did a lot of retail and other sorts of work. It always ended the same: a burned out me trying to keep sanity any way I could. I haven’t had luck getting along with others because I’m different enough to call out for being “weird” and just smart and able enough to pass as allistic which leads to issues with support.
As I got older, and went through more and more school, collecting degrees like Pokemon so I could hopefully understand myself and others, and maybe have some ease navigating life. There wasn’t much luck there. I learned that I have a high amount of empathy (a cursed word today), and a desire to give back to everyone. I just wanted (and still want) to make people happy. It’s not easy when people view you as different.
One of the many ventures I’ve embarked on was substance use counseling. I am a licensed drug and alcohol counselor in NJ. I’m presently working toward receiving my MS in clinical mental health counseling. The thing is, I’m just not happy with that. I am great at being a drug and alcohol counselor, but I struggled with the structure and corporate aspects of the field, and never meshed with the higher ups as I was (and still am) a freedom fighter for any disenfranchised.
With COVID came my diagnosis as AuDHD, and a forced time where I was able to learn about myself, who I am, why I am the way I am, and the struggles and needs I have as an individual with autism. Corporate structures don’t like my needs. I struggle with sensory input.
One thing I’ve found that has helped me is tattooing. I’ve always been drawn to tattoos. The day I turned 18 was the day I got my first tattoo. I had it scheduled for weeks before my birthday because I knew I wanted one, and I knew I wanted to make my body a piece of art. I love art, and I love expressing myself in unique ways, and this art form was it for me. As time went on, the pieces and work I got done on me evolved and grew larger.
In May of 2025, I lost my job, and it was a turning point for me. I lost my job due to discrimination of my disabilities, and it was a wake up call that I was not happy in my current positions. I spend my time accommodating others, and it was damaging to me. In May of 2025, I bought my first tattoo machine, and started practicing on fake skins before I dove head first into my own thighs.
I was actually kind of good at this. More importantly, I enjoyed it. It removed me from my own mind, and it provided the exact sensory output I need to tune out a very crazy world.
My disability has limited me in the ways I can engage with this field, as I do not have the funds to pay for an apprenticeship like others may, and I need every dollar to survive. That being said, I am desperate for one as I would love the opportunity to continue improving, and gaining valuable experiences that will teach me the techniques and skills that will ultimately help me shape this into something that can be more than just a passion, but a career that changes my life for the better.