I AM AUTISTIC

[@666tonsofsquirrels]

Every time someone steps up and says who they truly are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place ✌️

[@sarahlwalden]

🖤🖤

[@anjachan]

that´s right.

[@tomdg13]

So much this! Especially for other people who don't fit the norm. Diversity in general makes it so much easier to belong.

[@kelliewithanienotay]

Sarah I am so pleased that you finally have a diagnosis and the answers you needed. I am a self diagnosed autistic person who always felt different, never fitted in, had poor social skills and hated any kind of change, from as far back as I can remember. I went through my life just thinking I was shy or lacked confidence. Coming from a house of loud and confident people, made me really feel like I didn't belong. Move forward to me being in my 20s and having 2 children who were both diagnosed with autism, and suddenly all the pieces began to fit. As I learned more about autism I realised that I had pretty much all of the traits myself and like you say, it gave validation to all of the suffering and frustration I had encountered all of my life. I have not pursued a diagnosis for myself as at my age now, I don't know what good it would do me but I am 100% certain I am an autistic girl who slipped through the net and is only now, coming to terms with the fact that I am different and there's no point in me trying to make new friends or be sociable because it's just not me. I'm learning to be content in the background, at home, reading my books and in the comfort of my own home and I've realised that actually, I wouldn't enjoy any of the social occasions I don't get invited to, the parties I hear of after each weekend or the chats in the staff room, so I'm no longer jealous or frustrated. I've accepted who I am and realised that pretending to be like them, socialise like them and party like them, stressed me out. Why do it to myself?!!!! I am me. I am different. I'm not sociable. I don't see things the way others do, but I can still find things to get pleasure from and enjoy and so what if it's not the things most other people think of as fun! I'm so glad you were brave enough to open up about your journey to diagnosis and how hard you found university and other aspects of your life. I think you'll find this video helps and comforts alot of people in the same situation. 💕

[@sarahlwalden]

It's a very difficult situation we are both in and I think it's very easy to forget that it is a disability. It can put you in situations that make you feel like you aren't doing good enough, or make you feel silly, but we need to just get through the situations, our 'just getting through' can be our very best. You should be really proud of yourself, especially coming to the conclusion yourself and going through that. I'm glad you found the video useful 🖤

[@haydenwinfield5397]

I'm Male I Have Autism I Was Diagnosed With Autism At Age 14 I'm 29 Years Old Now Ivé Been Living Interdependently On My Own For 3 Years So Far I'm From The Uk United Kingdom I Also Have Dyspraxia I'm Proud To Be Autistic

[@jennandcherries]

It baffles me how a lot of people say “it’s this, it’s that, I’m sure, I’m certain” when they don’t even know anything about other possibilities or have all the information. Being auADHD myself (and I’m sure people here can relate) if I want to find information about something and talk about it accurately I will read for weeks, months, sometimes years…. It’s so frustrating how a lot of people talk about things without knowing, like a lot of doctors and people who misdiagnose patients 🙄 I’m glad you got your diagnosis though, it is very freeing

[@neridafarrer4633]

I agree. I'm an AuDHDer myself. Diagnosed just the other day at 50. I figured out the ASD 6 years ago through other family members getting diagnosed and figuring out their own ASD and then two of my boys alerted me to the ADHD last year. I've done SO MUCH research, tests, and soul-searching before I went for the diagnosis. I'm having to get a loan to pay for it, but it's worth it for me.

[@RovingReader]

38 and thinking about getting tested. Thanks for your story!

[@catcalledjessie7539]

I am so happy you get to finally share this news. Cannot believe how long this took 😫 thank you for sharing xxx

[@sarahlwalden]

I'm so happy I can finally share, and yeah, it took a while 🖤

[@ellapitt8505]

I couldn't believe it when I got the notification for this video. I watch your videos because I also have a working cocker spaniel, she just turned one. But i also had an eating disorder and got diagnosed with autism about 2 years ago! It was also a massive relief to me

[@sarahlwalden]

Hahaha, no way! Maybe you stuck around because you picked it up in me even subconsciously 👀😂 I'm so glad you got your diagnosis, and I hope your recovery is going well 🖤

[@ellapitt8505]

@@sarahlwalden I definitely seem to gravitate towards other autistic people without necessarily knowing that they are! Being diagnosed was actually super helpful for recovery/ understanding myself in general. Excited to hear more about your journey! Xx

[@MaryMcDermott-gv2ee]

Thank you for sharing your experience! I can relate to so much of it. I'm 43 and finally getting assessed. I've spend my entire life knowing I was different and having people say "embrace who you are" "love yourself" "let your differences shine" but no one was willing to find out why I was different. Nor did they understand how exhausting and frustrating it is to do daily tasks for me. Countless misdiagnoses never felt right. Depression especially... I just had this conversation with a doctor finally willing to listen. Side note: it still surprises me when my husband says "most people don't think like you, it's something special." I just don't understand another way no matter how hard I try. And also, I snapped a pic of the chair I'm sitting in and my water bottle not knowing I couldn't attach an image to my comment.... same as what's in your video - good taste 🤌

[@johnbillings5260]

Congrats on your diagnosis. I test next week. I love your hair. It was very distracting. 😊

[@HarrisonsGX]

Before I spoke to my GP about autism, I'd already created a massive colour-coded spreadsheet with columns to separate out traits/difficulties I had as a child and issues I have as an adult. It was vast and they probably could have just looked at the spreadsheet as a whole and realised I was autistic without even reading it: who would do that if they're not autistic?!

[@sarahlwalden]

Very relatable! 😅

[@anjachan]

I really love seeing someone so happy. I can´t believe you waited for so long 😱

[@fleurs2725]

Congratulations! It is so lovely to see you so happy now you have your diagnosis 🙂 Thank you so much for posting this. I have been following you for a while and seeing this has made things clearer regarding your past posts. Like you, due to various things, I have figured out I am probably autistic and am considering going for assessment. Thank you again!

[@sarahlwalden]

I was over the moon 😅 Couldn't keep the happiness from showing. And yeah?? I thought that would happen for a lot of people, being like aaahh, that's why she was like that with that. I'm very surprised I didn't get a message from someone asking if I was 😂 Best of luck with your journey with it, whatever you decide, if you ever want to talk about it, I'm more than happy to chat x

[@Little_Jessx]

You’re an incredible individual. It takes a lot to talk about this and I bet you feel like a huge weight has been lifted from your shoulders. I’m proud of you and I’d love to hear your traits and struggles to understand more xxxx❤

[@sarahlwalden]

Thanks so much Jess 🖤 And it really does, I'm just so relieved I can finally talk about it on here, it's been awful trying to hide it from you guys 😅 x

[@johnweichel4238]

I am to

[@plantifuladventure]

Super interesting! Thanks for sharing!!

[@sarahlwalden]

Thanks for watching!

[@ElyssaIoannou]

Please can you go through your traits I really am very interested

[@sarahlwalden]

i’ve done those videos! you should find them in my autism playlist 🖤

[@Intentionally_jodie]

I'd really really love to no more especially about the assessment I'm only at referral stage and I just feel sick thinking about it all tbh it's so distressing all of it the day to day the wondering the life the waiting the confusion x

[@sarahlwalden]

I uploaded a video about it all so I hope you saw that, but I understand the worry about it all. It can be super super scary, and I know nothing I say will change any of how your feeling, but I hope everything goes amazing for you and your assessment goes as amazing as mine did and you have a much smaller waiting time! 🖤

[@Intentionally_jodie]

@@sarahlwalden thanks so much! Iv just watched it iv now been back to the gp and they referred me threw right to choose so its spend things up pretty quickly I was sent the paperwork yesterday online so I'm going to do that this week. Thanks so much for both videos iv been really really anxious about looking stupid and not being diagnosed in the end x

Thanks for sharing ❤

[@sarahlwalden]

Thanks for watching!

[@ir4700]

😍🤩 lovely excitement 🤩😍 can I share on my Twitter /Facebook ? (no worried if no) So many people just see doom due to lack of knowledge etc...I love to share the right messages and celebration of identification

[@sarahlwalden]

Yeah, of course, that's fine! Thank you for wanting to share!

[@pooshonkdocker]

Me three

[@Flip_Mouse]

WTH, I am a New Zealander and I'm shocked as hell. That's so wrong, I had no idea.

[@sarahlwalden]

It's pretty heart-breaking to be honest, I'm hopeful it will change but realistically I don't think it will

[@RitaaLeci]

​@Sarah-Louise where did you read about this? I'm so confused by it, they seem to do it based on the cost that your health condition or diagnosis will incur on Australian or NZ public service but I don't get what I would cost them :(( if anything my ADHD meds are the only cost but they don't seem to stop you moving there if you've got ADHD

[@sarahlwalden]

www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/preparing-a-visa-application/medical-info/acceptable-standard-of-health-criteria-for-visa-approvals Autism is specified to a severe developmental disorder, ADHD is not so is different

[@Suhailah1988]

yay haven't watched yet but I am too

[@ShannanRose]

Thankyou so much for this 🤍 I've sent you a message on insta x