Published on 12, July, 2020
I joined here around 5 months ago.
Since that time it's come to mean different things to me.
I think sharing experiences is invaluable but equally invaluable is the honesty I find here.
It's a place where we can talk about shared experience /our emotions/difficulties in a way that's impossible in the 'real' world - or at least if we speak about it there, it's unlikely to be understood.
It's a place to connect in a world where we often find connecting difficult.
I've received some PMs recently that have made me focus more on how very important this community can be to us as individuals.
Luna RIP called this her 'forum family'.
As a person who doesn't seek friendship (?or thinks she doesn't?), some surprising and valuable friendships have evolved from here for me.
How about you?
You are very welcome.That’s great! That’s why connection and belonging to our own autistic community is so important.
I look forward to getting to know you more. What are your dedicated interests?
I'm sorry this happened to you. It is possible to be assessed as not autistic, but to be able to get a second assessment and to then be assessed as autistic -- it happened to me! So don't despair. But I hope that won't happen to you.
Well, that all sounds horrific! I'm not surprised you fell silent....my heart started racing just reading about it!
Thank you for sharing - I would imagine that it was tricky to get those words out so well and clearly.
I work with lots of "professionals" (not in this field - and am one myself) so I can assure you that many, many of them/us are far from competent, let alone good. Please do not allow another human, via *** zoom to pretend they can see inside your head or heart! What absolute ********!
Stick around this place for a while. See what pops up and speaks to you. Rest assured, you won't encounter dismissive attitudes here.
I welcome you again, but also send you a manly hug of reassurance and sympathy for the "encounter" you had yesterday. Keep an open mind.
Very best regards
Thank you! It's such an overwhelmingly nice feeling.
Thank you, Number.
My knowledge on Autism up until around 2 years ago was minimal until I came to a point where I decided to research it, as I'd had a number of people (family & colleagues) mention to me how they thought i may be autistic. I'd always wonder what it was about me that made them think that. As soon as the research began i was immediately drawn into it, after so much reading I'd never felt so 'seen' in my life!
In early 2022, I decided to get a referral for an assessment, fast forward to yesterday and I had my first appointment. I was feeling apprehensive leading up to it! Unfortunately, it didn't end the best and the whole experience was rather unsettling. I had my mum and sister with me and even they felt the same. The person leading the assessment (which was also performed via Video link) made it feel more like an interrogation, came across quite rude, spoke over me from time to time, responded to some of my traits I described with "well other people do that too". By the end he explained that he doesn't believe I have autism but Generalised Anxiety Disorder, he will however confer with the team and I will receive a letter in a few weeks with the outcome and whether further assessment is required. This has made me feel like my diagnosis journey has ended even though its only just begun! Since the appointment ended, I fell into a pit of silence almost immediately and didn't quite know what to think or feel. Last night all I could do was frantically google if other people had similar experiences. I've even had the back and forth internal fight of "well they are the professionals, they must be right!" and on the flip slide feeling with every fibre of my being that I am autistic.
Finding this forum has got me through today!
Forum has helped me in the past.. maybe Sperg and Desmond and I appreciate it
Thank you
Social rejection. The feeling of being an outsider. Of not belonging.
What I will add to my earlier post is, I’m finally able to have friendships here without the stress and minefield of trying maintain them.
In case anyone is interested, here is a similar thread with comments from over 9 years ago:
https://community.autism.org.uk/f/miscellaneous-and-chat/3902/what-does-the-community-mean-to-you/22410#22410
Welcome to your autistic community! I am so glad we have already made you feel like you belong.
It means a huge amount to me - I’m so glad I found it. I can relate so much to what people write on here - and people are so kind, understanding, interesting, funny and just great to connect with. I’ve never met so many people who just ‘make sense’ to me in the way people I’ve met on here do. So many good people. Plus - if you have a question or problem this place is so great to seek advice.
Welcome Thall. Loneliness is a common trope on these pages, but often with a contented acceptance and realisation of self. Can you share anything of your story to find us here? How did you find your assessment?
That's good to hear.
Welcome
I had my first autism assessment yesterday and have just joined today. It's been nice reading other people's stories and has certainly made me feel less alone.
I sometimes try to say to people don't judge me on the words I am using listen to the message I am trying to get across.
I agree. There seems to be a flavour of truth and unabashed purity ingrained in most of the writings in this place Directness and honesty (that is devoid of hatred and vitriol) is VERY hard to find in the 'real' world. I crave people to speak their truth - good or bed - so I can learn and interact with them meaningfully. This place delivers hope for me, and due to my nihilistic tendencies, that sense of hope is invaluable to my well-being.
God bless this ship and all who sail in her.
Thank you, it’s hard to explain. I tried Facebook, if someone didn’t agree with my point of view, they would come back with the fact that I had misspelled something. That really makes their point more valid? That wouldn’t happen here.
Your final sentence is the motherland of truth and happiness.