I relate a ton to being in that sort of limbo between feeling like autism explains so much that it would make so much sense if you're autistic but also feeling like you're making it up. I'm researching autism so much cause I think I have autism but I'm scared to talk about it with anyone in person except my older sister who thinks she may be on the spectrum too
Don't feel bad for getting a diagnosis especially when medical professional have brought it up. I see it as a big problem that some doctors share messages like "people are faking diagnosis because they see people with a diagnosis and think they have it themselves". Autism can come in many different forms. It can go from the biggest stereotype of an ASD person in media to people that to the average person just look "normal" or are even positively excentric. I got my ASD diagnosis at 12 but always felt like something was missing I described to others starting in primary school that I had felt "I had pain in my brain that didn't really hurt" or "clouds in my brain". At age 18 I started watching a politics UA-camr and Streamer who I then learned had both ASD and ADHD. This was the first time I felt the right words for what I was experiencing and I thought ritaline would help me like it did with the UA-camr. My doctor took 3 appointments to diagnose me because it was that obvious once I learned how to put it into the right words and ironically got prescribed Ritaline which I am on for the last 3 years and that has really helped me. So please don't think you are making stuff up, I essentially needed a random UA-camr to describe his experience to go "wait literally me". 20:10 When you get your diagnosis bring this up. This sounds like ADHD hyperfocus and 60% of people with ASD also turn out to have ADHD. Hyperfocus is an ADHD symptome I have myself. It would have probably made life easier if I knew about it earlier. 18:28 No matter if you get a diagnosis for a specific neurodivergence or not accommodating for your weaknesses and not being afraid to talk about it and getting help is a good thing. There are many stories of neurotypical people working with autistic people and learning that while they aren't autistic they are also happier when they get specific accommodations once offered. This is not a "autistic or not-autistic" thing. Anxiety is also not surprising and a common thing with autistic people. Its often the thing that many autistic people (myself included) are simultaniously VERY good at some things and VERY bad at others. This naturally leads to self-questioning like "Am I really good at what I am good at. I mean I can barely do this stuff others find normal". No idea how it feels for you but when I enter a room I feel like I am simultaniously the smartest and dumbest person in the room. My special interests are politics and talking/writing about things but I ironically struggle with every day organization tasks. This of course causes anxiety because I feel like I could write the best law that helps 99% of people and without help I am in the 1% that will get confused by it and mondane tasks like finding the right uni courses for the next semester. Especially because a part of me constantly gets mad at me for being stupid. At this point my solution is going to people from uni staff and telling them I will literally need step by step help. Ironically this helps me and talking to someone while filling out what I want to take I suddenly notice when they say something wrong and I remember much more information. You aren't extra or invalid for having anxiety or self doubt. Many autistic people go from essentially being unable to do the simplest task to being the most capable person with a bit of help. It is on us to normalize this because it will help the community in total to have more respect for each other and everyone feeling like they can be their best self. Being your best self is the best way to reach your potential in life and feel happy.
I am also currently getting assessed and I’m 47. I have just been diagnosed with combo ADHD and bipolar 1 (definitely I’ve been bipolar 1 since young and just now figured out ADHD) and once I started listening to mom’s who have been diagnosed with autism and ADHD and they describe and explain their inner world and experiences before and after having kids I cried because what they described and explained is very similar and sometimes almost exactly what my inner world is like and how I struggle with some things but can do my special interests etc. And how they explain their growing up experiences etc. I finally feel like I’m understanding myself and realizing how my whole life that I process differently. I can now make my external world better and work better with myself. ❤
I relate so much to your experience ❤ you’re definitely not alone. As a female, there’s a lot of pressure to be socially adapted, and it’s been such a struggle ever since adolescence
I’m 30 and I’m currently starting things off after getting burnt out from masking for the idk how many-th time. I am struggling a lot with internalized ableism. Talking with my psych for the first time about this was horrible and upsetting and I’m struggling a lot. Looking into autism has brought up a lot of bad memories and stuff but I’m gonna be okay eventually. I’m excited to follow along with you.
Hey Shaun, I'm autistic and I also have a condition called selective mutism. I'd love to connect and chat with you! Is there a way I could reach you, perhaps by email? Thanks in advance!
I relate a ton to being in that sort of limbo between feeling like autism explains so much that it would make so much sense if you're autistic but also feeling like you're making it up. I'm researching autism so much cause I think I have autism but I'm scared to talk about it with anyone in person except my older sister who thinks she may be on the spectrum too
Don't feel bad for getting a diagnosis especially when medical professional have brought it up. I see it as a big problem that some doctors share messages like "people are faking diagnosis because they see people with a diagnosis and think they have it themselves". Autism can come in many different forms. It can go from the biggest stereotype of an ASD person in media to people that to the average person just look "normal" or are even positively excentric.
I got my ASD diagnosis at 12 but always felt like something was missing I described to others starting in primary school that I had felt "I had pain in my brain that didn't really hurt" or "clouds in my brain". At age 18 I started watching a politics UA-camr and Streamer who I then learned had both ASD and ADHD. This was the first time I felt the right words for what I was experiencing and I thought ritaline would help me like it did with the UA-camr. My doctor took 3 appointments to diagnose me because it was that obvious once I learned how to put it into the right words and ironically got prescribed Ritaline which I am on for the last 3 years and that has really helped me. So please don't think you are making stuff up, I essentially needed a random UA-camr to describe his experience to go "wait literally me".
20:10 When you get your diagnosis bring this up. This sounds like ADHD hyperfocus and 60% of people with ASD also turn out to have ADHD. Hyperfocus is an ADHD symptome I have myself. It would have probably made life easier if I knew about it earlier.
18:28 No matter if you get a diagnosis for a specific neurodivergence or not accommodating for your weaknesses and not being afraid to talk about it and getting help is a good thing. There are many stories of neurotypical people working with autistic people and learning that while they aren't autistic they are also happier when they get specific accommodations once offered. This is not a "autistic or not-autistic" thing.
Anxiety is also not surprising and a common thing with autistic people. Its often the thing that many autistic people (myself included) are simultaniously VERY good at some things and VERY bad at others. This naturally leads to self-questioning like "Am I really good at what I am good at. I mean I can barely do this stuff others find normal". No idea how it feels for you but when I enter a room I feel like I am simultaniously the smartest and dumbest person in the room.
My special interests are politics and talking/writing about things but I ironically struggle with every day organization tasks. This of course causes anxiety because I feel like I could write the best law that helps 99% of people and without help I am in the 1% that will get confused by it and mondane tasks like finding the right uni courses for the next semester. Especially because a part of me constantly gets mad at me for being stupid. At this point my solution is going to people from uni staff and telling them I will literally need step by step help. Ironically this helps me and talking to someone while filling out what I want to take I suddenly notice when they say something wrong and I remember much more information.
You aren't extra or invalid for having anxiety or self doubt. Many autistic people go from essentially being unable to do the simplest task to being the most capable person with a bit of help. It is on us to normalize this because it will help the community in total to have more respect for each other and everyone feeling like they can be their best self. Being your best self is the best way to reach your potential in life and feel happy.
Thank you so much for this comment. I really appreciate it a lot!
I am also currently getting assessed and I’m 47. I have just been diagnosed with combo ADHD and bipolar 1 (definitely I’ve been bipolar 1 since young and just now figured out ADHD) and once I started listening to mom’s who have been diagnosed with autism and ADHD and they describe and explain their inner world and experiences before and after having kids I cried because what they described and explained is very similar and sometimes almost exactly what my inner world is like and how I struggle with some things but can do my special interests etc. And how they explain their growing up experiences etc. I finally feel like I’m understanding myself and realizing how my whole life that I process differently. I can now make my external world better and work better with myself. ❤
Good for you. My partner was just diagnosed a few weeks ago. I see his challenges. Never too late.
Thanks Clair!
I'm in the process of getting diagnosed at 37 yrs old.
Good luck my dude, I was just diagnosed less that 1 month ago and I’m 43.
Thanks, man!
I relate so much to your experience ❤ you’re definitely not alone. As a female, there’s a lot of pressure to be socially adapted, and it’s been such a struggle ever since adolescence
Thank you, Hannah!
I’m 30 and I’m currently starting things off after getting burnt out from masking for the idk how many-th time. I am struggling a lot with internalized ableism. Talking with my psych for the first time about this was horrible and upsetting and I’m struggling a lot. Looking into autism has brought up a lot of bad memories and stuff but I’m gonna be okay eventually. I’m excited to follow along with you.
Oh god, the internalized ableism. I feel you!
I'm suspecting autism in myself. I subscribed and can't wait for the rest of your story ❤
Thanks Sebastian!
Trying to recall if Shaun of Shaun and Jen is Geordie or not. All the best to you Shaun (even if I clicked wondering if you aren’t “that” Shaun.)
Hey Shaun, I'm autistic and I also have a condition called selective mutism. I'd love to connect and chat with you! Is there a way I could reach you, perhaps by email? Thanks in advance!