I see some people in some places saying that we self diagnosed #autistics should just stop stop self diagnosing.
You know, I would love that. I don't want to be a #SelfDiagnosedAutistic, I want some added clarity but there's a few problems.
1: I can't afford it.
2: I live in a #RedState
3: Another state already is using #autism to try to prevent #trans affirming care for people. That's not gonna stay in #Missouri : /
You know, I'm not officially diagnosed, so it's hard for me to not feel some doubt in my belief that I'm autistic. I want to get diagnosed if only for the sake of that validation.
But I can say that since entertaining this thought, putting in research, asking questions, I feel like I'm happier with myself than I've ever been.
Before, sometimes I didn't even feel human, like I existed in a different reality from other people, and like I was broken.
@dramypsyd @autisticcyclist @SHR @actuallyautistic so much this. I need flashy lights to adorn your reply with, because this is everything right here.
This and my own very similar experience is why I will never let some asshole invalidate anyone who is on a self diagnosis journey of discovery, acceptance of self, and improvement of quality of life.
This bullshit is the root cause of autistic imposter syndrome, it fractures our already incredibly small community into even smaller pieces, and is straight superiority bullshit.
Took me until 36 to get diagnosed. Oh how different life could have been if I hadn’t listened to the voice in my head telling me “no, that’s for people who actually need it” for literally 20 years as I suffered and didn’t understand why.
To all the #SelfDiagnosedAutistic people: you are valid. Please don’t listen to assclowns who try to invalidate your lived experience and in doing so make your life and identity even harder.
Maddie ♾️
Ophelia 
👾 🏳️🌈