@KatyElphinstone @Susan60 @robrecht

I have a number of points here, that may, or may not, apply, especially to those of us who are late-realised in terms of our autism.

Our internalised ablism may well fall into two camps, or even a combination of them. After spending decades trying to be normal, if perhaps always knowing we were broken and so different really. It can be hard to think of ourselves as being disabled, especially when we've spent so long coping to the point where, on the surface at least and for a given value of it, we've led successful lives.
Over our lifetimes, we may have met and known many disabled people and seen the genuine struggle and difficulties they have in life. To compare ourselves with them, in terms of our own lives, may seem wrong. I know this isn't how it's supposed to work. But, from my own point of view and having had disabled relatives and dealing with disabled people extensively through my work, the thought that I could be disabled is hard to accept, given that my level of suffering and fortitude and sheer strength to get through each day, is nothing compared to theirs. I simply don't feel worthy of the "tittle", whilst intellectually realising that, yes, I am disabled.

Part of the problem, for me at least and I suspect for many of us. Is that there is a distinction in my mind between learning and realising that I was autistic and becoming diagnosed, as in medically, autistic. Just simply realising I was autistic is more than enough. Going on to become officially diagnosed is more a function of necessity. It's about, what would this extra step earn me, rather than, is this the necessary step to take.
In other words, for me, realising I am autistic was literally life changing. It explained, well in certain respects, everything. It has allowed me access to information, tips and tricks that are making my life significantly better than it was. But, being medically diagnosed is something I see no value in at this time. The waiting lists in the UK are long enough, without adding my name to it and making it even longer for those who do need it. I have "done the maths" and spent the years doubting and challenging this realisation with all the rigour of my mind and training, which is considerable, if I say so myself. And finally, at the moment at least, I see no benefit in getting officially diagnosed. There is nothing that I could get, or achieve from it, that could make it worth it.
I know this isn't the same for everyone. That, we all have to make our own decision whether to go on to become officially diagnosed as adults, given, of course, whether this is even a viable option. But, even so, the step from realising you are autistic and the necessity of getting a diagnosis is still there. It could be the step needed for final validation, or getting access to accommodations, or simply having the paperwork necessary for safeguarding yourself. But, it is always the step between realising you are, even if possibly, autistic and having some proof of it and the struggles that come from it.

This is why I think it's important to separate realising you are autistic, from being diagnosed as autistic. The two are actually serving different purposes. Self-diagnosis, or probably better self-realisation, is about finally seeing yourself and hopefully yourself within a community. Diagnosis, is about finally being recognised, or at least defined, by society. The two, aren't actually the same.

@VeroniqueB99 @gwendolenau

Vee... On behalf of Search and Rescue teams across the world I would ask that you edit the text above your graphic to point out that this is a discredited tip and if people are looking for tips to point them towards
https://www.adventuresmart.ca/the-three-ts/#tripplanning

Or some other credible source of information for rescue situations