Surprise, I'm Autistic // adult discovery story

00:10 hi hello welcome
01:30 my journey so far
02:35 what led to my discovery
05:30 my RAADS-R test scores
06:45 panic attacks vs autistic meltdowns
09:45 co-morbidities, autism and trauma
10:35 my sensory issues
15:35 my social differences
20:20 learning new terminology
21:45 if you think I'm not truly autistic/why I haven't pursued medical diagnosis
23:48 "I'm so sorry to hear about your autism"
26:00 thank you for watching!!!
I know this was a long one, but there are so many areas of this issue that I didn't even touch on. Please reach out if you have questions! I would be more than happy to talk.
You can also find me on:
Instagram - / kaitlyn__page
TikTok - / ucignjvrrhakwphigpl6ot5q
Spotify - open.spotify.c...

[@joannajamerson35]

I'm 48 and I just learned that I'm autistic too. It explains so much

[@anapratt]

So proud of you for allowing yourself to be vulnerable and honest in sharing your journey.
And finally getting answers is so freeing! Definitely not a negative thing. It’s all about perspective. ❤

[@Lady_Tism]

Whew girl I would've never had the nerve to ask my teacher for patience and/or understanding without a formal diagnosis. I knew without one that I was autistic, but I felt like I had no right to say I was without the diagnosis from someone that was qualified. The self-doubt was realllllll lol.

[@jacquicherry1721]

Kaitlin,
First, I want to say how proud I am of of you. I know, all too well, how hard it is to do the research…to spend hours and hours to find answers that a part of you knew had to be out there, when perhaps few (or none) believed with you. I know the pain of being misunderstood, yet making the choice to let go of the “right” to be angry or hurt, because they don’t seem to want to understand. Yet, not having the “right” to hold any of it against them.
Your intelligence and compassion pour forth from your face, and your lips…beautifully. Wisdom, amazing for your age, is evident.
I know that I am beyond blessed to be seeing this. You’ve not only given me some answers, but also some questions that I didn’t even know how to ask.
God bless you…your sweet spirit…may it never change.
With so very much love,
Jacqui

[@kirstencallahan8128]

I wasn't planning to watch the whole 27-minute video starting past my bedtime on a worknight, but my goodness, Kaitlyn, this is so well-articulated, and so full of joy. I'm so happy for you. Thank you for making the video.

[@KaitlynPage]

I didn’t intend for it to be that long, but I wrote it all out and then tried to film it and edit it down as much as I could😅 it just became a whole ted talk whoops🙈

[@kirstencallahan8128]

@@KaitlynPage Well worth it.