I'm Autistic - My Adult Autism Diagnosis Story

Hello! Welcome! Or Welcome Back! Today I'm sharing a more personal video about my journey to finding out I'm Autistic at 27. It's mildly terrifying to be putting my diagnosis out here on the interwebs like this but if it helps just one person, it's worth it.
00:00- 1:56 - Intro
1:56 - 2:22 - What Is Autism?
2:22 - 6:25 - My Diagnosis Story
6:25 - 12:21 - Masking
12:21 - 13:27 - Stimming
13:27-17:03 - Special Interests
17:03-18:59 - Final Thoughts
Love,
Mer
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Autism Resources:
Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network: awnnetwork.org/
Embrace Autism Assessments:
embrace-autism.com/autism-spe...

[@damescholar]

Being diagnosed for autism spectrum disorder and ADHD at 64, in a private clinic. The public healthcare chucked me out, because ”I was too old” and anyway there is ”no use diagnosing me” because ”I am not severely affected”. I am a writer and plan not to retire for 10 years at least and I want to know why my life has been such a mess and I had spent so much time struggling with all kinds of issues, to finally be able to understand all the reasons, connect the dots and know who I am. But that is nothing to the people in the public healthcare. So I have saved money to be privately diagnosed - it is not cheap.

[@MeredithAleighaWells]

I'm sorry to hear it was such a tiresome journey to get answers but glad you were finally able to find some clarity.

[@ronjaj.addams-ramstedt1023]

*waves * in ADHD dx at 40, PTSD dx at 51, and autism dx at 53 - solidarity!

[@accounta4311]

I also went through the private clinic route thanks to the therapist I had at the time, I was 17 and the public school system refused over and over since I was already about to graduate

[@biaberg3448]

I got the same answers as you did. So I’m self diagnosed, that’s good enough for me.

[@cristinaroe2166]

I can relate. Still not diagnosed for autism but am with ADHD as a more mature adult. Life has felt exceptionally hard and lonely, having to work this out more or less on my own with an unsupportive family who told me that I am an embarrassment. After horrible mental health episodes, rejection, relationship explosions, suicidal ideation, abuse and more, I didn't think I'd make it thus far. My guardian angels saved me every time. So I REALLY empathise with any woman on the spectrum. At least my niece was diagnosed with ASD when she was a toddler and I pray it works out for her. As for myself, hope against hope, I want a future, I want to achiev, to relate, to grow in my Christian faith and make something of the confusing, desperate, dreadful but sometimes wonderful mess of a life I've had thus far. Keep hope, faith and love alive despite the frustrations and craziness all around! 🙏

[@AprilArick]

Everyone is different and has their own path. Everyone finds out things about themselves at different ages. It's different for everyone it's pretty amazing.

[@PuttingOnTheFoil]

Last year at 52 I realized that I am autistic. Thanks for posting your story! I relate to your experiences so much!

[@MinMay19]

I'm 27 and finding this all out for the first time too! Masking has also been a focal point for trying to unpack everything for me. I've found the challenge comes most with those who have known me longest where the mask is so ingrained that it is hard to tease apart what is me (and the action I want to or don't mind undertaking) and what is the mask. I have gotton so used to being uncomfortable and ignoring what my body was telling me because it's what I should be doing or everyone else seems fine with. Now I'm really trying to unlearn all that but it's hard when people get confused because something I was 'okay' with before I now struggle with. Or I'm moving in ways I didn't before. The specialist interests thing people get as they (and I) always just put that down to being nerdy (Musical Theatre is one of mine too alongside Film and Television)

[@cristinaroe2166]

I just want to encourage you. I am an older women, so it is good that you have received your diagnosis now To struggle with years of confusion, loss and misunderstanding makes every aspect of life exponentially worse and almost inevitably leads to mental health issues. I think you are INCREDABLY brave facing your issues head on and attempting to unmask despite the possible repercussions from others, particularly those closest relationships in your life. I am trying, much later than you to do this also, It feels like catch 22 yet, I still believe that this is the only genuine step forward possible. I think that occasionally masking might still be necessary in situations with officials and authority figures where it is not possible to act in an autistic manner without reprimands. However, to relax into yourself and find out who God created you to be however difficult must be preferable to being a fully masked individual until death. Yes, you and I will inevitably face rejection and misunderstanding. And fear. I have tried both and there is no easy way. God bless you. May your attempts bear fruit and may it be well with your soul🙏

[@darbydelane4588]

Age 57. Newly diagnosed.

[@gaiagoddess5360]

I got diagnosed at age 49! Loved this video, can relate to so much of your story!

[@therealdeal26]

Lol YAh 🤣 I guess whatever Gives You A Paycheck ehh 😆

[@SnowLily06]

​@@therealdeal26 Huh? How are they getting a paycheck?

[@therealdeal26]

@@SnowLily06 sad.. that you literally do not know that you can get a disability check for this Dis-order. SMH... Look it up 🤓 SmartyPants. It's called the Internet.

[@geoffreycope1219]

I just started doing local theater a few years ago. My directors were amazed at how I was able to switch my personality on and off when on stage. I felt like I had to perform like I was in school again. Mind you I have suffered through learning differences my whole life.

[@yoli_1_n_Only]

I have a cousin who everyone in our family knows or believes he’s autistic, EXCEPT his mother/my aunt. Fast forward many years later, I believe with every fiber of my being know my eldest daughter (25 yr old) is somewhere on the spectrum and I noticed it as early as when she was an infant prior to 1 yr old. When I wanted to get her seen for it her grandmother on both sides, her father to a lesser extent all told me I was not correct, leave her alone she’s fine. She was the super intelligent but socially awkward one in school, it’s very prominent and obvious to me and now to others, the same people INCLUDING her first few pediatricians told me I was wrong, there’s no need…. The trouble is as her mother I have tried to both protect her and prepare her for this world… I did not feel confident enough to advocate hard for her, I felt pressured and intimidated by everyone telling me I was wrong. So I don’t even know if she is aware or can accept she may be autistic. When I broach the subject, I get negative push back from her and she gets offended. I see my adult child struggling with the tools of communicating in different ways aside from her way, she so far into her own interests that she struggles in areas I feel like she could have help with. Any advice? I feel like somewhat a failure to my daughter and it’s hard to let her fail at certain things when she doesn’t know how to read a room….

[@MeredithAleighaWells]

my advice would be to see what your daughter wants/if they feel they are struggling and let them take the lead.

[@jaebcommakayla]

I like how you said "special concern" vs. "special interest". This is the first time I've heard someone make the distinction, and it's always felt weird to me to say that social justice and environmentalism were "interests" when really they are concerns!

[@Antikia]

Thank you for sharing your experience, something that really stuck with me was someone said that autism is defined or recognized based on what it looks like to people from the outside, not what it feels like for the autistic person themselves. So as women we learn to 'look normal' from the outside to fit in with our peers and fly under the radar, even though we are very much struggling

[@RainbowCurveCostuming]

Diagnosed at 38 during the pandemic I recognize a lot of your experience as an equally heavy masker. I had seriously masked so much I had almost had myself convinced I was neurotypical. Letting myself stim more obviously has been a slow process.

[@MeredithAleighaWells]

Better late than never! Happy Stimming!

[@amineurodivergent]

This is amazing, thanks so much for sharing. I chime with a tonne of this myself - I just got an ASD diagnosis at 44 (absolutely out of the blue) and have started doing my own KZbin videos about my journey. You come across incredibly natural and relatable, this is a great and clear video. I also thought EVERYONE did the exhausting copy & paste behaviours that you describe and it was such a shock to realise they didn't and this was a specific symptom of ASD. Years of suppressing hand-flapping too. Lots of readjustments and reframing!

[@tulleuchen]

"When to enter the conversation in a group setting" I still can't get the hang of that. On the one hand, I know what to do, on the other hand, I can't quite bring myself to be fake enough to do it in the way that other people do. So I end up coming in late or weirdly.

[@duikmans]

I'm in the middle of my diagnostic process at age 59. Masking has been a part of my life since I was nothing more than a toddler. I/we become very good at it very fast, and that's the problem, as you lose yourself in the process. So, picking up the bits and pieces of the real me, that are scattered all around my brain, will take some time.

[@circleofleaves2676]

I was diagnosed a few months before turning 37. Super common for girls/women/afab folk socialised as girls/women.

[@dus10dnd]

27 years... a blink of an eye. I am glad you received it. Lot of people go much longer (I went over 40 years, and I see some went over 60! crazy.). Also, yes... you are brave for sharing. I am still struggling with doing so publicly.

[@yoli_1_n_Only]

Thank you for this video, everyone is different everyone falls in a different spot on that Spectrum… and I have a 3rd autistic brother in law who was diagnosed early in his childhood and I’m wholeheartedly in the belief my daughter could liver her best life if she would embrace therapy and possibilities. Her creative mind, and attention to detail, and ability to transform herself into these elaborate characters she comes up with… I wouldn’t changed her , and I don’t condemn her either, but we’re also not as close as we could be.

[@NFSMAN50]

Hello there!!! Thank you for sharing your story, Im also on the autism spectrum as well! I was diagnosed at a young age, and all my life, I always felt different and odd from the rest and had trouble connecting with others.

[@JB-pk3bz]

My first visit, subbed! Meredith, thank you for a wonderfully open and helpful video! You explained so clearly and quickly, in ways opposite to that of educated professionals, who often beat around the bush (which is so frustrating). Thanks again! Bookmarked, so I can share with family and friends!

[@WoodshedTheory]

Thank you for sharing your story - I really resonated with it.

[@Christine83507]

Thank you for sharing your story! I related so much to your experiences. I’m in the process of getting diagnosed now, and your video made me feel much more positive about the whole thing.

[@tomasvoldrich]

Thank you for posting your story, it is really relatable. Also 👍👍 for closed captions available in video.

[@TheKaliedescope]

Thank you for pointing out knuckle cracking as a stim, that makes sense. Also I really feel you on theater teaching how to mask. Doing one play in middle school totally changed how I interacted with people. I'm glad I had that. But I wish someone had told me that it's magic that comes at a cost and that I needed to be gentle with myself about my need to recharge.

[@nancedesigns1030]

Thank you for this video its very helpful

[@MeredithAleighaWells]

I'm so glad!

[@seemesolve]

You have such beauty - and in particular a beautiful voice! You speak with fluency and your timbre is pleasant. I cannot detect even a trace of an autistic accent. How did you manage that? Is it your many years experience with singing exercises / voice training? Does it come natural or are you actively masking on camera? Sorry if this is too personal! I ask because your skills could be fit others, if you are willing to share. :) It would be handy to know your tips on developing a pleasing tone of voice. Although masking an autistic accent all the time would be detrimental to a person’s wellbeing, there are times when I would prefer when speaking not to raise other people’s heckles.

[@AverageDonaldDuckFan]

Im 19 and have thought I could possibly be autistic for years now. Im diagnosed with adhd which I know can be very, very similar to autism which is why I struggle with having people take me seriously. Im currently seeking a diagnosis, but so far, im stumped on if im just making a big deal of nothing or not.

[@MeredithAleighaWells]

Totally. My thought on all things diagnosis is that they can be either confirmation or information that and regardless, can lead you to care or resources best suited to you.

[@ronjaj.addams-ramstedt1023]

FWIW, AutDHD is a thing. I (59) am both and so is my son (24). Best of luck figuring it out. If more videos by autistic and ADHD people would be useful for you, here's a loooong playlist (it's public) kzbin.info/aero/PLnyala9uhDMgLnY0LNh0-r56NuAYBvHPL

[@Mllet3d]

After listening to you I believe my father had Adult Autism his whole life. Btw he was an actor also. Thanks for you insight🌻

[@nunyabiznez6381]

I found out at age 54. I had no idea. Not a clue. In my entire life I was very shy and socially awkward to say the least. At age 44 I was hit from behind on my bicycle by a hit and run driver and was in a coma for a while. At age 46 I had cancer and went through chemo. At age 47 I was at a picnic my oncology specialist throws for his patients every summer and he got up at a podium in front of 500 people and started talking about my case and invited me to come and speak in front of FIVE HUNDRED STRANGERS without warning. I felt ambushed and betrayed. He absolutely insisted I make an impromptu off the cuff speech with no warning no preparation and I have a hard time reading a script after weeks of practice in front of a large crowd of five. That's five people not five hundred. I did get up. I got up and walked right out of that picnic and walked 22 miles home through three towns I was unfamiliar with getting directions along the way. I never spoke to or had any contact with that clinic again and ignored all the letters and phone calls and emails they sent me. They had the audacity to contact my family and told them I was suicidal and the police came to do a welfare check and they thought it highly suspicious that I did not want to humiliate myself by making a speech like that so they took me into custody and kept me for 48 hours of suicide watch because they thought walking home 22 miles was self destructive whereas I interpreted my actions as self preservation. I was escaping emotional predators who pretended to be my friends but only wanted to exploit me for marketing purposes. When I got out of jail I found out my employer was suspending me for two weeks without pay for excessive absenteeism said absence being in jail for two days when I should have been at work. That ended up costing me all my future raises with that company and I was eventually fired. Meanwhile I decided to move from that state and get a fresh start in Florida. So a week prior to my date of departure I made an appointment with the cable people to come pick up my box so I could get back my $300 deposit. The appointment was for 10am to 2pm. My address was extremely easy to find. The building is set back ten feet from the street. Great big 12 inch street number. I lived on the corner and the street name was on the street sign. So being hypervigilant about keeping appointments I sat outside on my front step from 9 am to 3 pm waiting for the cable guy who never came. I called the cable company while still sitting on my steps and asked when they would get there and they said that he had dropped by and knocked on the door and I didn't answer. I became enraged. I waited six hours and they LIED!!! to me. So I told them I was going to drop off the box and that I didn't have time to wait again as I was moving out of state and they told me I could only turn my box in by having the cable rep come pick it up which made no sense because I picked the box up and their now permanently closed office near me. So I drove thirty miles to their office despite what they said and I walked in and told them they lied to me about attempting to pick up the box and I demanded they accept the box and refund my deposit on the spot and I was not moving from that spot until they did. Well that was followed by 48 hours on suicide watch again and that was followed by a court order for a psych exam. In all that they also did a blood sugar test and when they were done they asked if I was on insulin and I asked what I would need that for and that's when I found out I was diabetic. But then the 6 hour mandatory psych exam conducted half by a neurologist and half by a psychiatrist resulted in a diagnosis of Asperger's. At that point I was ordered to come to "family court" in three months for a hearing to determine if I was fit to remain at liberty or to be taken to a state facility to live out my life. If it was to be the later all my possessions including my collection of antique furniture, 600 years of family heirlooms, 9 generations of my mother's female line's diaries, 150 years 25,000 family photos, my collection of rare author autographed first edition books and hundreds of my pen and ink drawings would all be auctioned off with the proceeds to go to said facility. I was released on condition I wear an ankle monitor. I consulted an attorney who told me that in my case, I was not charged with any crime so the most they could do was take me into custody and permanently commit me to a mental hospital. In other words, skipping town did not technically constitute a crime. So I hired a moving container and filled it with all my irreplaceable items, sold off the rest, gathered my savings and the day after the container was shipped to Florida, I cut my ankle monitor, got in my minivan loaded with what could not fit in my shipping container and got on the interstate and drove south at 2am at the maximum speed I figured I could get away with. In an hour I was out of state and in three hours I was out of New England and in three days I was in Florida and have not looked back. By they way, at the time, there was great hysteria about autistic people committing violent crimes. It was around the same time that kid shot up the elementary school in Connecticut. So the police were all but rounding up autistic people. I contacted my attorney after I got to Florida and he told me there was a "welfare warrant" for my arrest. But he said they treat it like they would a silver alert and it doesn't to past state lines. Where I live now I don't have cable TV. I think I can live without it. In fact I haven't watched TV since I left that state. So basically with all the above It's close to a miracle I'm able to function at all but here I am, I work a job, I'm a sous chef in a restaurant and run that department. I am a food safety fanatic. Which would you prefer, the person who prepares your dinner to be a food safety fanatic or the person who prepares your food to forget whether they washed their hands after they wiped their ass just before they handle your food with bare hands? I live alone. I don't really have friends. I limit my contact with people because I have profound trust issues. I am working on making arrangements for family heirlooms to be distributed among family members who will keep them in the family and not put it all on eBay. I don't have children so If I don't do this my landlady will sell it all and keep the proceeds if I were to kick the bucket. And for the record, I am not now nor have I ever been suicidal. I'm simply 64 years old with multiple health issues with a less than average life expectancy and thinking in practical terms. It has been extremely challenging to come to terms with my Asperger's. I can't really tell too many people. When I first moved down here and mentioned it the reaction, would go something like "oh you mean you've got the same mental defect as that baby killer in Connecticut." So I just don't mention it. I have turned down a promotion four times because accepting that promotion means I have to deal with the public continuously and not only is that way outside my comfort level, I know it would only be a matter of time before I have a meltdown and some customer will demand my employer fire me. It's best if I remain in the back of the house where the worst that can happen is I scream at my line cooks for trying to serve undercooked chicken. I've been written up for that five times but so far I still have my $13 an hour job.

[@kayjay-kreations]

Diagnosed 58 what a ride

[@CatholicOnTheSpectrum]

I'm just learning I'm autistic at 32.

[@MeredithAleighaWells]

yay self discovery! what a wild ride right?

[@MrStyles784]

I made it to 39 before getting a professional diagnosis

[@MeredithAleighaWells]

@@MrStyles784 wow, I hope it was worth the wait and your getting the support you need. ❤

[@MrStyles784]

@@MeredithAleighaWells Better late than never :)

[@The_Vanished]

I think it's an amazing gift. There are neurotypicals that are disabled. Do we then ask: Does neurotypicality have the ability to function 0r survive? What do they lack? (Hint: empathy and understanding, fre thought) yeah sure we don't stoke egos with facial expressions and body language and make everyone feel so warm and fuzzy. We don't say they are disordered because of mindless hoard behavior and being exceptional little devotees to the human exploitation and then also self policing each other and bullying anyone who questions anything that does against what they seem to just accept. Just continue to accept lower wages, more hours, higher costs, higher taxes, etc. I'm not attempting to be correct but at least of had a thought. I've done several complex jobs or hobbies. If I focus on a single thing that adds value to humanity then it's a disorder because I don't mindlessly accept random rules and customs, group thinking, bandwagons, etc. The amount of bullying I've received from neurotypicals whom should most certainly be capable of understanding others have limits and strengths disregard their needs and cause distress just because there's less of us and more of them. Oh yes, we the autistics have no empathy or understanding and are sick. We point out flaws, then get punished because the parasite class wants their rules enforced by the easily mass manipulated ones. Im just saying some people are better at critical thinking and understanding problems might arise or just performing many complex jobs over their lifetime but are terrible at working fast food counters and might get pissed. Sorry, lol! I can't do mindless work and handle neurotypical abuse. They could be better at acceptance and treating others better but its not the "social norms" so better act horribly but they are only indirectly responsible so no actual responsibility for them. Suck it up buttercup! Fix yourself as as a neurotypical ad I can do for myself, treat others with respect and work using your strengts.

[@rosieposy8]

Feel similar to you. Likely audhd. Interested about your acting and performing. Heard that lots of us are very musical and able to imitate voices well. I love mt and do am dram. I wondered if my difficulties with acting stem from autism. How did you cope with acting classes? I have had shutdowns in acting through song classes as can't feel/ portray what im expected to. I would love to be better at acting. Id love to hear more about how people on the spectrum can make great actors and acting tips for aspies!!

[@MeredithAleighaWells]

I would definitely recommend popping around my channel for more acting and performing videos! I've never talked about the intersection but would say for me, the actual craft of acting is the easier part of the job. All the networking and unspoken theatre rules backstage, and social aspects are the more challenging parts.

[@toni5543]

I've waited 3 years and now finally have my assessment in 16 days. I'm so excited and so nervous lol

[@MeredithAleighaWells]

Here's hoping the rest of the month is short for ya! Hope your assessment brings you some answers/clarity!

[@toni5543]

@@MeredithAleighaWells thank you so much 🥰

[@Aliciae411]

@@toni5543how did it go?

[@cassandramartin-smith3354]

Diagnosed in July with Autisum level 2 and adhd ptsd depression and anxiety. First ex was ASD and ADHD and that social group was also that way inclined and yes teasing saying that I was adhd they swere I was adhd how the Funk I get so much done all the time and just keep going. How I fly off the handles and struggle to emotionally regulate haven't had any issues. Have avoided romantic relationships as I just can't do it can read social cues I keep pushing no partner :( also complex trauma from childhood I don't understand how other people have partners and I don't. I get angry when people pass me off so what

[@EnlightenedCarnivore]

(How can anyone not enjoy such a happy, smiley video. 😊) My wife thought I might have autism so I investigated a bit..., found Orion Kelly..., and maybe that's why the algorithm sent you to me. I'm now 99% sure what I have is an Introverted Personality rather than autism. Please don't think I'm weird but..., when you spoke of Special Interests and also cooking and nourishing your mind and body...I felt the urge to offer you a special interest of mine...(because it changed my life for the better forever. 😄). Just this, I have recently learned that human beings have not evolved to consume carbohydrates. That our bodies make all the carbs it needs via gluconeogenesis. It's true. Cut out carbs and optimal human health will occur. If you're at all interested I can point out those who are the most learned about it. All the best! 💖🙏💖

[@MeredithAleighaWells]

Aww thank you! I'm definitely not qualified to tell you whether you're on the spectrum or not but glad to have been part of your path to self discovery. As for my diet, that's something that's been pretty closely monitored with my care team and my dietician. I'm content with my current diet but I'm glad learning about gluconeogenisis has brought you fascination and joy.

[@EnlightenedCarnivore]

@@MeredithAleighaWells Hello again, Meredith. ✌😃 I'm in the middle of watching this ...👉 Carnivore Diet For Surgery Recovery | Dr. Shawn Baker & Jonathan Griffiths 👈 and I remembered your video. You might be interested in a section of it...starting at around minute 9:00. (I would've pasted the link but often comments get deleted by KZbin when I do. 🤷‍♀) Happy Saturday! 😊 PS...This explains how it all works. Sten Ekberg put it out yesterday...👉 #1 Absolute Best Way To Lower Blood Sugar

[@Aven_Snow]

I told my therapist I thought I might be autistic and she basically said not to diagnose myself over the internet ( I read the DSM-5 and ICD11 and explained the points I related to and also did all the RESEARCH BASED tests on Embrace Autism website) and that the stuff I do is normal and not to exaggerate. She also told me that even if I was autistic that I shouldn’t bother getting diagnosed cause I’m so “high functioning” 🙄

[@09cutie0pie]

Your therapist sounds very reasonable.

[@colinjones3547]

your current therapist doesn’t sound very concerned about your actual feelings or needs. find a different one.

[@lenaramoon4617]

autism spectrum disorder. It's a disability, that's one of the bigger things about diagnosis. It has to disable your life in some way.

[@Jen-GP]

I'm 49 and just got a referral for asd (2 year wait list minimum) after 15 years of suspecting and probably 7 of those trying to get the referral

[@terriem3922]

I took a theater class later in life in the hopes that it would help me on job interviews. It didn't, because I was so bad. I'm convinced the teacher gave me a B- because he knew I would accept that and never attempt theater again, and he was right. I could only remember one paragraph of a 4 paragraph speech, despite having practiced it over 10 times. I have been uncomfortable on stage since 3rd grade. Is Star Trek a special interest? I wrote down the dialogue I could remember after a show. I'm comfortable around animals.

[@MeredithAleighaWells]

yeah, acting is definitely not for everyone and that's totally okay. If it makes you feel better, I don't think I'm a savant or anything when it comes to memorizing the script, I have to study it a lot, especially after my POTS diagnosis. Star Trek could most definitely be a special interest.

[@PhilipWatson]

Did you have to pay for assessment? If so, how much did it cost? I struggle paycheck to paycheck and I suspect it's a huge privilege to be able to pay for formal diagnosis.

[@MeredithAleighaWells]

In that case, I'd recommend a center with sliding scale assessments.

[@Con_blue]

Will you make more videos about autism?

[@MeredithAleighaWells]

I'm definitely open to it. What sort of thing did you have in mind?

[@Con_blue]

@@MeredithAleighaWells Like sharing your personal experiences throughout your life while you were undiagnosed, maybe your assesment process, traits of females on the spectrum that go unoticed, reacting to autism memes etc. I've seen a lot of KZbin channels lately from women on the spectrum and they seem to become more and more popular. Some of them are "I'm autistic, now what", "Trying to unmask", Olivia Hops, Ksana Les, Mom on the spectrum and Paige Layle. Only if you want to share more about you of course.

[@vynedvyne59]

I am in the process of figuring out why my body fights me. I was late diagnosis and now they are looking at dysautomia. Yet there is something called Autistic burnout. Have you investigated that yet?

[@MeredithAleighaWells]

Autistic Burnout is not a clinical diagnosis, but rather a term used to describe a common experience among autistic individuals that occurs mainly when one's neurotype is not accommodated and you are pushing through/masking a lot. It's something I've personally experienced in addition to my dysautonomia diagnosis/symptoms.

[@heedmydemands]

❤

[@PEGGLORE]

I'm 43 and undiagnosed, but I also scored a 43 on the Autism Quotient test the other day, so don't need to go see anybody for my proper diagnosis then, since it's pretty obvious.

[@jimaholic]

❤❤❤

[@kellyschroeder7437]

How about 58 😢💔😫💞💙🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻👊👊

[@user-bt1qu6pg3n]

What’s involved in adult diagnoses

[@MeredithAleighaWells]

Depends. But generally a lot of questions and assessments.

[@tristanaricardo]

Had my asd assessment yesterday through a Christian organization and I’m feeling disappointed in how it went I’m trying to decide if I should send the doc an email touching on the things we didn’t get to talk about, I feel like we focused heavily on my anxiety and he asked me a lot of the stereotypical stuff but I resonate more as a highly masking late diagnosed female HSP. I waited over a year for this appointment, should I send the message or am I just fueling his probably assumption that I’m just anxious? 🤔🙄

[@Fairygoblet]

I had to go through two people in order to get diagnosed. I wasn't trying to get diagnosed with this specifically, but it was very clear the first person didn't know what they were talking about. Be flexible and prepared to take Avenues you wouldn't otherwise have taken. If you don't feel like this person will listen to you either way, seek help elsewhere.

[@09cutie0pie]

Maybe you are just anxious?

[@user-vw9mk3zp7h]

As a teacher at a school for autistic people, I cannot help but wonder if there should be different labels because the autism you have and what I see are so different… I know it’s a spectrum, but still. Copying clothes and using previously heard language to create language sounds like a totally normal linguistic strategy. Sounds like being socially awkward and not like the devastating condition I witness daily. Society is weird, and we are all trying to fit in. We all have special interests….

[@carolineobrien3692]

I am a late diagnosed female with ASD. I think that losing the "Asperger's" label and replacing it with ASD means lumping us all together in terms of ASD. The Asperger's diagnosis was perfect for those able to live a normal life, hold down a job, but struggle socially. We have a picture in our mind when we think of an "Aspie" - the little professor. Yes, we are all on a spectrum, and we all have similar issues, but struggling to fit in and mental health struggles is very different to being unable to live an independent life.

[@ronjaj.addams-ramstedt1023]

Well, just to begin with, she is not a child. We vary a LOT. Also, the video is edited.

[@lilcutie1239]

Autism don't have a certain look. Everyone is different.

[@CESmith]

Yes the shorthand of the word Autism and having everyone know exactly the struggles they are going through has gone away. We can bring it back a bit with the levels of support. Autism level 1 (where late diagnosed people usually are), Autism level 2 and Autism level 3. Also, specifically in dedicated Autism schools, there is a high comorbidity of an intellectual disability as well. I understand not being able to use the shorthand you were used to, but a lot of people are now understanding themselves more and accepting all of who they are instead of struggling to purge these "weird" behaviors that will never truly go away and that's a good thing in my opinion.

[@vazzaroth]

Them theater kids and neurodivergence, huh?

[@michaelvandenheuvel317]

No way to cool…😎🌂👜🎭🩰

[@juliejohnson5724]

I worked with many autistic children for many years and I just don’t see it in you. You seem like a lovely, social, well adjusted, winsome and very animated young lady.

[@MeredithAleighaWells]

Autism presents in a variety of ways that’s why it’s a called a spectrum. For every visibly Autistic person you meet, there are countless “masked” Autistic people who pass as neurotypical. This masked presentation is only more recently being researched and understood. I highly recommend the book Unmasking Autism by Devon Price as a jumping off point into this topic. They beautifully share both the academic research on and personal accounts of multiple late diagnosed autistics. p.s. One 20 minute scripted video is a very small glance into me and my life to make a diagnosis off of. Respectfully.

[@tracik1277]

Well, just for starters, she’s not a child.

[@ronjaj.addams-ramstedt1023]

@@tracik1277 , exactly!

[@tracik1277]

@@ronjaj.addams-ramstedt1023 And I thought also, why would an Autistic person necessarily not be lovely, social, well-adjusted, winsome and animated? That’s almost like if I thought all neurotypicals were ornery, egotistical, biased, arrogant and lazy-minded…

[@09cutie0pie]

Agreed

[@copperstewart5910]

I accepted the idea of "Highly Sensitive Person" in my 40s, but only in my 50s learned that contrary to early understandings, one can be hyperverbal and empathetic and be Autistic, and suddenly and for the first time so very much made sense in ways no other explanation ever encompassed. Still waiting to get formal dx, but Autism became a special interest, and I am quite sure my life-long indications are very strong for ASD1 (I would say ASD2 descriptions have applied during times of crises or burn-out), and I score very high or highest in all available instruments that approximate real assessment instruments. I am not working and am uninsured and will probably solicit from friends for the first time to fund private assessment--for some reason it is important to me, ideally from a provider who is Autistic.

[@MeredithAleighaWells]

I have so many thoughts on the term HSP/ highly sensitive person. Wishing you clarity and ease as you seek an assessment.

[@copperstewart5910]

@@MeredithAleighaWells I'm sure everything I labeled HSP in myself is an Autistic trait. I never strongly embraced that label, but did acknowledge at the time--thinking that Autistic had to mean nonverbal--that a lot about it seemed to make sense, and definitely made more sense than anxiety alone or other diagnoses Autistic people are often erroneously given. I am Queer cis-male but have never had strong gender identity and have always been perceived as feminine (even physically, thin with low muscle tone, and in my gestures and emotional display), and self-descriptions by Autistic women more often correspond to my lived experience. (I used to call myself Queer and Androgynous, but now I am more comfortable with Queer and Non-Gendered, Enby or Auti-gendered).

[@invisableobserver]

I was diagnosed at 62, diagnosed late because no one cared enough to help. I was not born autistic, it was caused by electromagnetic radiation from cell towers, cell phones, smart meters & wifi.

[@therealdeal26]

***Girl, You Are NOT AUTISTIC, i can Tell by your character of mannerisms knock it off***

[@Maksie0]

What the fuck do you know?

[@ronjaj.addams-ramstedt1023]

Reporting for both misinformation and harassment. Autism is a multi-dimensional spectrum, which means that we vary a LOT.

[@sweetbeep]

So you were injured by pharmaceuticals/toxins?