Diagnosed today, but I feel like a fraud

Hello! :)

I am 21, female and was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Condition today.

I have been struggling with social anxiety and depression for years, have never had more than one or two close friends, never understand sarcasm or flirting, I stim (hand flapping, finger flicking, bouncing etc), am obsessed with reading and writing (have written 2 books this year and could spend days alone, daydreaming about my stories), can’t stand sticky textures and have food issues (often meltdown when certain textures mix) among some other things. 

But now that I’ve been diagnosed with ASC I’m worried that they’ve got it wrong. I’ve done lots of research and - compared to autistic youtubers and blogs - I feel like my autism isn’t ‘severe’ enough (I’m not sure which terminology I should use - please correct me if I’m very wrong!!). I can recognise my own emotions and can often recognise joy/sadness etc in others. I loved imaginative play (alone) as a child and most loud noises, lights etc don’t bother me; I don’t mind rowdy concerts etc. I used to have routines as a child but now I have no specific routines or rituals. I’ve always been able to express my emotions and although I definitely mask when I socialise now, I can’t tell whether I was masking as a child. I am scared of eye contact now but my family can’t remember me having this issue as a child. 

Because of all this, I’m worried that the little autistic traits I do have are not valid and that I don’t belong in the autistic community. I thought this diagnosis would be a huge relief and an explanation for my challenges but it’s just left me feeling like a fraud. 

I’d very grateful for any advice or words or comfort, or experiences from anyone else who doesn’t have very many autistic traits/ feels invalid but has still been diagnosed. Thank you!!

Parents
  • I believe that there is no clear-cut line between being on the spectrum or not and that many of us including me are similar to you with just some of the more mild traits on the borderline. We are all different and don't need to tick the box for every trait of autism. When I got my diagnosis I felt like I had to exagurate some of my traits after my GP was relunctant to put me forward for it

Reply
  • I believe that there is no clear-cut line between being on the spectrum or not and that many of us including me are similar to you with just some of the more mild traits on the borderline. We are all different and don't need to tick the box for every trait of autism. When I got my diagnosis I felt like I had to exagurate some of my traits after my GP was relunctant to put me forward for it

Children
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