InHouseAutistic#AskingAutistics
I'm curious about how old you were, the first time you remember having a thought along the lines of 'I wonder if I might be autistic'?
And when did you know you were?
7 years for me, from 30-37.
Zack is on mastodon.cloud@EverAutistic First time I considered it was probably age 30. By age 33 I was sure enough to self-identify. Probably never would have figured it out without autistic community on the bird site.
@JustGrist
I came to the autistic bird community after listening to the SquarePeg podcast. Hearing from autistic adults was like finding out about something barely recognisable from the stuff I'd been taught about autism as a teacher. It's so infuriating!
Glad you got there a bit faster than me. I wish my self-dx it had come sooner, but glad it did. And I'm really glad I trusted myself before formal dx. I'll always be glad about that.
@EverAutistic I started following a lot of autistic ppl on the bird site bc I felt that was a gap in my disability perspective and so many experiences resonated. I read and watched some vids ppl made but was talking to other autistic folks that helped most.
I still don’t have a formal dx and don’t think I’ll seek one bc of costs, lack of services for autistic adults, and political climate in the US.
Glad for others who want a formal dx that they can get one though.
@JustGrist
Yes formal diagnosis isn't a simple issue, so I don't think there's a 'right for everyone' answer. I wanted it to help me better advocate for myself at work, but I know that it can be used against us, also.
It's horrendous that those who need one face so many barriers. Are there any countries getting this right? I haven't read about any yet :(
Yes formal diagnosis isn't a simple issue, so I don't think there's a 'right for everyone' answer. I wanted it to help me better advocate for myself at work, but I know that it can be used against us, also.
It's horrendous that those who need one face so many barriers. Are there any countries getting this right? I haven't read about any yet :(
@EverAutistic I haven’t read or heard about anywhere really getting it right tbh. I’ve talked to autistic people from several different countries and each system seems to have its drawbacks, all basically related to autistic people not being as exploitable as others would like under capitalism.