Hello...

Hello,

I am completely new to this feature on the NAS website. I thought I would give it a go, as I stopped using social media platforms years ago to protect my mental health as much as possible.

I have just finished reading Laura James' 'The Odd Girl Out'. A very poignant and comforting read.

I was diagnosed with Autism several years ago. It was long overdue. I will be 30 in December, and realise just how difficult it can be for autistic females to become diagnosed. 

I am enthusiastic about writing, creative forms. I often question how I can write like I do, yet still be autistic. I have received positive feedback on the two creative writing modules I have completed with the Open University. 

But I also understand that autistic writers do exist. I have also identified that I struggle with dialogue when writing creatively. Yet, when I write poetry I seem to apply myself to it naturally.

What else can I say here? I suppose I am not a part of a circle of friends at this stage in my life. After my diagnosis, I started to change bad habits and realised that every 'friend', 'friends' or 'acquaintances' throughout my life were not genuine. So, maybe I have joined this NAS community as a way to become social in some way. 

Although, it must be said that I have two cats who mean the world to me :) Jessica is a 15 year old short-haired tuxedo, and Oliver, who is almost three. He seems to be a bengal, although he may be a mixed breed of possible Maine coon (difficult to tell, but definitely bengal-like in personality and in appearance). He is also known as Oliver Junior, as he is named after one very special cat who I grew up with from the age of one. He was almost 19 when he passed, and provided me with solace and joy through my childhood. It is very likely that he was also mixed breed. His talkative nature, intelligence, basil brush tail and slight mane (and long fur) may have meant he was Siberian, Maine coon or even ragamuffin. I suppose to say I have no friends at all is inaccurate. 

(Think I've typed too much here, so apologies).

Rebecca :)