Zaza I've realised that I'm autistic and I've talked to my therapist and he agrees with me. I want to reach out to a support group for autistic people that my college has but I'm scared people will judge me because my diagnosis isn't official. I'm afraid people will think I'm just self diagnosing myself and trying to get attention. Should I wait for something official before I do anything?
Short answer: No, you should go.
Explanation: First, what’s wrong with getting attention? You deserve attention, everyone does. Plus, that’s what support groups are for- getting and giving attention. By design, support groups are all about a give and take within a community that shares some commonality. They’re about bringing attention to the individuals involved, not about judging one another’s “worthiness”
Secondly, it sounds like you’ve done your research and your therapist agrees with your self-diagnosis. IMHO that’s sufficient to join a support group. Remember that if things change or don’t feel right, you can leave at any time.
Thirdly, people judge others, it’s just part of life. Does that mean you don’t belong or won’t be accepted? Certainly not. Chances are, you won’t even be the only self-diagnosed person in the room! People generally don’t attend support groups to be judgemental and exclusionary, they go for the support (give/take).
The bottom line, you’re not joining this group to make fun of them, your joining to get help and help others. That means you belong and I hope you’ll go to the next meeting. I know it’s scary to join a new support group, but they’re one of the best tools out there- so go! Wishing you all the good luck, dove!