I have spent my whole life trying to be like everyone else, only to feel like a failure at life. I grew up in postwar Berlin. My parents were struggling to make a life for us and had no time to analyze my childhood "issues". At the time, no one even knew what neurodivergence or autism are. I am now 74 y.o. and only for the past 6 or 7 years have I been able to see all the signs of neurodivergence that contributed to the incredible difficulties in living life. I am seeing a therapist who is not really interested in exploring this aspect of my life, and I wish I could afford a professional who specializes in this field.
I’m sorry you’re not finding your therapist to be supportive. In any case, know that self-identification is totally valid in this community and you’re welcome amongst autistics wherever else you can find us.
As a recently evaluated & late-diagnosed (at 62.5yo) autist myself, I'm relating to so much that you write! I really appreciate the suggestions for how to respond to various reactions by others. I've had a tendency to script and rehearse interactions at least my entire adult life, and sometimes I'm just at a loss four words when just about everything can be potentially misunderstood.
One thing I'd like to point out if I may, regarding the response to traits for which allistics might declare, "Oh, everyone does that." The response said something like "Autists do experience many of the same things things that people do..." Seems like that statement was missing an 'other'! I imagine it was an unintentional omission. 🙂
I say, never miss an opportunity to remind or emphasize to others that autistic individuals are also people, and as fully human as those who happen to present with the more common allistic neurotype.
This is the best articulation I’ve ever read of how invalidating and dismissive and fucking soul-crushing those comments are. Thank you.
Thank You for reading. 💜
Whenever anyone says this I say, actually only 2 to 3% of people are autisitc. Because obviously they need to be told.
Same - this post makes me feel so validated. It's like you wrote about me. Thank you.
I have spent my whole life trying to be like everyone else, only to feel like a failure at life. I grew up in postwar Berlin. My parents were struggling to make a life for us and had no time to analyze my childhood "issues". At the time, no one even knew what neurodivergence or autism are. I am now 74 y.o. and only for the past 6 or 7 years have I been able to see all the signs of neurodivergence that contributed to the incredible difficulties in living life. I am seeing a therapist who is not really interested in exploring this aspect of my life, and I wish I could afford a professional who specializes in this field.
I’m sorry you’re not finding your therapist to be supportive. In any case, know that self-identification is totally valid in this community and you’re welcome amongst autistics wherever else you can find us.
As a recently evaluated & late-diagnosed (at 62.5yo) autist myself, I'm relating to so much that you write! I really appreciate the suggestions for how to respond to various reactions by others. I've had a tendency to script and rehearse interactions at least my entire adult life, and sometimes I'm just at a loss four words when just about everything can be potentially misunderstood.
One thing I'd like to point out if I may, regarding the response to traits for which allistics might declare, "Oh, everyone does that." The response said something like "Autists do experience many of the same things things that people do..." Seems like that statement was missing an 'other'! I imagine it was an unintentional omission. 🙂
I say, never miss an opportunity to remind or emphasize to others that autistic individuals are also people, and as fully human as those who happen to present with the more common allistic neurotype.
This was such a great article! 💗🩵🧡
Thanks!
You are valid. ♥️