#questioning autistic

[probablypeoplepleasering]

I really don't understand the problem with self diagnosing. Please tell me what's wrong with finding a word that describes your entire life, and then going through the DSM-5 and learning everything about it and fully understanding yourself, and then making accommodations for yourself now you really understand. Instead of having panic attacks everyday in the school toilets, I bought myself earplugs that really help me. Instead of crying after a social situation, I no longer blame myself. Instead of partaking in unhealthy coping mechanisms whenever I feel the urge to stim, I now let it out and make myself feel so much better. I let myself rest. And no, I have never said to anyone "I am autistic" because I am not diagnosed. I don't scream it to every person I meet, I'm not faking anything. I'm letting myself feel, because for the first time in forever, I realise that I'm not alone. There are people out there that feel the same way!! I'm not pathetic for crying and "acting out" after a plan or my routine change. I'm not stupid for not knowing how to speak. I'm not immature for taking longer to learn how to do things that other people find easy. I'm not alone!!! It feels like a breath of fresh air, because the DSM-5 for autism is literally my entire life written into words, and I can't even begin to explain how it feels. Maybe self diagnosis isn't valid, but what harm am I doing? I feel so so much better now I have a word for how I feel.

[freakedoutdyke]

I'm proud that you found out you're on the spectrum. Whether you're diagnosed young, into adulthood, or later in life, it can be very overwhelming coping with how it affects your life. I struggle a lot with socializing, but I try to prioritize relationships with other neurodivergent people who can easier understand and love my quirks. And of course they're plenty of neurotypical people who will love you for who you are.

It can be hard to grasp at first, but it will get easier when you identify how it impacts your day-to-day. Whether it be focus, socializing, hyperfixations, anxiety, or whatever else. If you need help understanding anything, with advice, or coming to terms with it, I'm more than happy to help. Again, I'm proud of you. ❤️

This is something i'm probably gonna remember for the rest of my life, genuinely, cried over this for a HOTTT minute in the best way. Me being undiagnosed and not getting the tools I needed means I've been distressing for other (especially diagnosed) autistic/neurodivergent people to be around long term, who, have otherwise been my best friends. This gives me hope I can develop the tools needed to sustain long term friendships/relationships with the right people, and treat them how they deserve. All while, hopefully, not beating myself up so much anymore. It was emotional reading that because it's one of the first times I've been taken seriously about that, let alone so thoughtfully.

Thank you Alizz, your choice of words alongside your general presence on this platform is something I am endlessly grateful for. Genuinely, other autistic and neurodivergent people make living feel endlessly more plausible

[worm-infestation]

returning to the dsm 5 like a long lost lover

[madsthebat]

that wild feeling when you come to the realization that what you thought were panic attacks were actually probably meltdowns

[assignedchaosatbirth]

"Just act like yourself" bitch I don't even know who I am. how bout I act like you and pretend like I have a clue what I'm doing instead.

[autism-culture-is]

questioning culture is not telling your therapist when you’re upset, not because you’re one of those “fuck therapy” kids, but because you literally forget you’re upset because you’re having so much fun ranting

.

[pileofpawns]

Wait. Wait. Feeling like there’s Some Kind Of Link between how I have attached myself to specific animals throughout my life and how I much I adored (well, and still do) Yoshi from Super Mario when I was little. It feels like the same flavor of. I don’t know. What’s probably something like a special interest in zoology shvsugsuv. Sadly I don’t remember clearly enough to confirm nor deny this.

[solidwater05]

You see, I don't think I'm autistic, but having to interact with anyone that isn't on my same apparently very strange wavelength makes me feel like I'm playing a game but all the textures are missing and the keybinds are all messed up and the chat filter is messing up everything I try to say to my teammates and everyone speaks a language I've never even heard of.

and that's not exactly an allistic experience