#mod kath

[autism-asks]

Do you have any posts or resources on how comorbid ADHD/autism presents? If not could you still post this ask to see if any followers have resources? Also many of the links on your "Resources" page seem to be broken :(

Thanks for checking our resources page before sending in an ask! Mod Wren is currently in the process of fixing any broken links we come across.

In the mean time, maybe one of these links will be helpful to you:

https://autism-asks.tumblr.com/post/159982546821/what-is-the-difference-between-autism-adhd-and

https://strangerdarkerbetter.wordpress.com/2016/10/27/autism-with-a-side-of-adhd/

https://autism-asks.tumblr.com/post/161277964381/so-i-know-someone-can-have-autism-and-add-and-that

https://actuallyadhd.tumblr.com/post/117637029570/adhd-self-diagnosis

Are these links working for you?

-Kath

[ask-the-ddlc-and-protag]

//Update Two!\\

//Hello every- 114 followers?! Wow! Okay, so this has made my day! 

First: I’ve had more health issues in the past few months that required my full attention, but I’ll be working on the blog tomorrow since today is my birthday! 

Again, thank you all for making this blog blow up so much, and I’ll work really hard this week to make up for the time I was gone! 

Love you all, Mod Kath\\

[weeklyjohndave-blog]

[autism-asks]

Is it an normal/okay/etc for social difficulties to appear later on (like in middle and high school)? Because as a young kid people just called me bold, loud, and kind of awkward (I have a story of getting a Rubix cube for my 6th birthday and then loudly announcing that I didn't like Rubix cubes). But now I'm noticing more problems as there's more pressure to get things right.

Yes. For many autistic people autistic traits only become really noticeable when they feel very stressed or overwhelmed. Life typically becomes more demanding as you get older, including social life which becomes more complex as you get older. For many autistic people who may have been well-supported or been able to make up for any difficulties they may have already had during childhood, this happens around the time puberty hits/ in their teens or other points in their life that feel especially overwhelming or that come with a lot of change.

-Kath

[autism-asks]

How can I learn to generate more original speech? I'll never be able to change my actual self, wouldn't want to either, but I'd love to get better at responding to others with my own thoughts and not just repeating them.

As you say, you will never be able to change your actual self. It’s less important to come up with witty one liners or deep thoughtful speeches than it is important that you are putting your words together the way only you can. 

That doesn’t mean every word has to be an original one, even if not a single sentence you ever say is one you put together yourself word for word, only you can make them come out in the order and in the way that you do.

So our advice is to work on self esteem and self acceptance, to work to being in a place where you can accept, and be confident, that while the actual words may not be innovating, the way you make them happen, is. 

-Kath and Wren 

[autism-asks]

Growing up autistic is slowly coming to the realization that the people you know, who you love and who love you, never considered you human in the first place. You're supposed to be grateful they have the affection for you one has for a pet.

Hey, it sounds like you're going through a rough patch at the moment. We can’t find a question in your ask though and it also sounds like you’re talking about a situation that is very specific to you so it is difficult for us to respond to your ask. We do hope you feel better soon and find support. Please keep in mind that being autistic does not automatically mean that other people don’t consider you human. You’re welcome to send another ask if you have a question.

-Wren and Kath

[autism-asks]

Hello there, I had a question, not to self-diagnose, but I think I may be autistic. I'm a girl and I know that there are differences in how autism presents itself in different sexes, and I was wondering if you could still possibly be autistic and still be self-aware, and emotionally sensitive, since a young age. Just reflecting back on my life, my behaviors really fit the 'criteria' of autism in women, I am trying to see a specialist, but I just don't think my family will listen.

Hey there,

yes, it’s possible to be autistic and be self-aware and emotionally sensitive from a young age, depending on what you mean by being emotionally sensitive. There are autistic people who feel emotions intensely, react to situations strongly and have strong emotional reactions to or feel for other people. This might not neccessarily translate to instinctively knowing how to deal with those emotions or respond to others (although it can be learned) because not knowing how to act in social situations and relate to others is part of autism though.

-Kath

[autism-asks]

Hello, recently I have been researching a ton about autism (specifically in afab people), and I really do think I have ASD. My family does not believe me, and thinks that I want something to be wrong with me? That is definitely not true. I have a psychiatrist appt. coming up to address these concerns, but when we had out first appt. he had said that it is not likely because I am well spoken? I am just afraid that I will be misdiagnosed due to his stereotyping people with ASD, what should I do?

I’m really sorry to hear your psychiatrist seems to treat you under the assumption that autistic people cannot be well-spoken (they can).

Something very similar happened to me when I was younger and it was extremely frustrating and upsetting. What helped me was to find a doctor who I knew to be an expert on autism. Autism assessments when done properly aren’t a matter of “well, you don’t seem autistic after the first few minutes of talking to you” but rather a matter of filling out many different questionnaires, family members filling out questionnaires, both you and family being interviewed about symptoms and family history etc.

If your psychiatrist feels confident to diagnose you with or rule out autism based on talking to you briefly and doesn’t seem to be aware that it is possible for autistic people to be well-spoken or hide autistic traits, he may not be qualified and it might help to look around for someone else.

You can ask doctors how much experience they have with any given diagnosis, how many patients/ clients they’ve seen with that diagnosis, if they have experience with people masking their traits etc. to help you determine where they stand.

Good luck!

-Kath