Did you think you were autistic before someone suggested it?

I'm curious whether you can see it in yourself. I thought I was right and everyone else was wrong.

I suspected I was different, but squashed it, I was just extra normal. I couldn't figure out why I was confused and had bouts of depression,

I just wanted to know what was holding me back, why I had some atypical depression, and whether there was something up with how I communicated.

But there was no need for an autism test. I wasn't autistic surely.

Except the psychologists thought otherwise, 3 of them. I even argued with them, a sign in itself probably.

So did you guess, before someone suggested a screening test? Maybe the internet makes it more likely these days, but you need a reason to go looking.

Parents Reply Children
  • Of course, no problem.

    I find ADHD easier to accept because I can see how it affects my focus and energy, in a good way, but autism feels much harder.

    It touches everything, how I relate to people, how I understand social situations, how I’ve had to mask myself my whole life.

    Growing up, I often felt different and misunderstood, and even as an adult I notice the impact in my relationships and work.

    Accepting autism makes me confront all those lifelong experiences, which is validating but also overwhelming.