Also like seriously consider if Diagnosis is safe or right for you Diagnosed between 4-5 years old Self Dx is valid and most folks who are Dxed legit dont have anything against self dx for the above reason But Bigger issue Why is Diagnosis required to access autistic social spaces?? ^^^^ Thats the real question. Like grew up autistic have no problem with you folks joining us. (So long as you don’t like use your privilege to speak over issues that are specific to diagnosis (legal shit like not being able to marry due to insurance,mental competency tests etc. (Also no you cant be like yep Im going to reclaim the RwordNo Nope No even folks who are diagnosed shouldn’t use that word as like our elders who are still alive who survived Asylums and Being called the Rword to force sterilization which is still very much happening.)
But I will Say this as well Consider being diagnosed Carefully as Diagnosis comes with a different Ball game of Legal oppression. (Not to shame. Just to let you know what most folks don’t beforehand If any of us has a choice to be and live without barriers …. None of us are going to judge you for being like I am autistic but I recognize official Dx would add stigma I don’t deserve.) We genuinely want you all to live your best lives.
•If you are diagnosed with a disability under the age of 22 Insurance dictates wether or not you will be allowed to marry.
•People if they know you are Asd or disabled will use that as a weapon to invalidate things you know and celebrate about your own identity… (Many Autistics are Lgbtq+ and or Trans people use Asd to be like “well they cant actually know they are _____ .”)
•Forced poverty is very real. If you choose not to dx thats ok! Barriers are real and we get if you weigh the options and decide against it
If you are self diagnosed there are things its 200% chill to advocate on Things
Like sensory overload
Medical comorbidities
But Autistic culture is starting to get a reputation of canceling people too
Which Autism Parents for example
Many Autism Parents are also Autistic alot of the harm they do is thier own internalized Abelism and oppression fighting isnt always the best way to help them understand themselves and their autistic family members better.
Also alot of folks who are the most anti autistic can be folks with internalized abelism. Its super real.
Sometimes not being diagnosed is a privilege to to forced or unconsentual ABA done without parent or individual permission.
But also like If you want to advocate come to some autistic social spaces or start some.
Theres exposure that is hard to get without a diagnosis (So there are some informal groups and ways of getting exposure. And most of us love You all!
Genuinely we are excited to have you join us we are excited to share and guide you. We know late dx and self dx happens and in diagnosed spaces a lot of us are super cool swapping tips.
Just know that IDD can make some accessibility hard for folks. So you have to be patient even with social issues as a-lot of you all have an access to privilege you don’t realize you have in terms of educational material being accessible.
Lastly
If you do get diagnosed
We are anti Eugenics so not pro like Intelligence shaming, non-speakers exist I for one alternate I can only speak sometimes…. When i cant speak it hurts too…
Lastly Anti Eugenics means dont make fun of IDD and Engage in Intellectual ellitism
However this doesn’t mean don’t check your assigned intelligence score as there is different barriers if you are 2E as well and ways you can use that privilege to make things more accessible for everyone. Including translating into comfortable language for folks with IDD who need that.
Part of the beauty of the spectrum is we fill in one another’s blanks we help lift one another up.
But note also if you go for an asd test and end up with something similar but not the same you are still Neurodivergent.
Neurodivergent is a large community but some common neurodiversity’s that are not discussed as often (At least positively.)
Are Schizophrenia. (Which also are kin to Autistic folks we survive together. Even if its not the same we can still support one another.)
Personality disorders aren’t Autism but are Neurodiverse and stigmatized and deserve love and respect as well.
Borderline personality, Narcissistic personality,
Etc.
If you don’t end up As autistic it doesn’t mean you aren’t a part of our community (Neurodiverse.)
also know like (Autism groups centers etc advocates in there are not against having you join us for hangout sessions or social group activities. Its ok to ask a diagnosed friend how to learn more or join our spaces if you aren’t dxed!
Also some of you might be able to help us fight ABA in medical spaces as we aren’t listened to directly as a lot of places get funded for that shit….
Thats all sorry its long love you all keep advocating just know you aren’t imposters and can advocate on things you experience like sensory and comorbidities just engage with other autistics about more complex/nuanced issues.
Also Please if you are self DX late DX the reputation we are getting for Cancel culture (And not like canceling people who did stuff thats unforgivable. But if someone doesn’t know or have privilege to access information please please don’t harp on folks who are learning. As that is not restorative justice.)
Restorative justice being how we deal with issues in disabled autistic spaces. Just because there are conflicting respect needs and social, emotional ,educational access needs.
Tone is not mad just infodump
Genuinely like talking to yall about asd (Have a ton of cool ND cultural research I’m doing that im trying to figure out how to share without being seen as elitist… when the goal is to use privilege to dismantle privilege especially eugenic. Thinking about talking about twice exceptionality more and what growing up 2E-Asd is like in disabled spaces and why Disability Autism is my main identity not Eugenic assignments.)
Lmk if any of this is helpful or something y’all have an interest in. 😎🖤
