Hello everyone!
I just wanted to introduce myself to the group. I was recently diagnosed with autism last month. Looking back, I’ve always felt different, especially throughout my childhood and school years. College was particularly tough for me; the pressure of A-Levels combined with intense social anxiety led to burnout. That’s why I decided to take a gap year before heading to university.
This break gave me the time and space to reflect on my experiences in school and how my behaviour often differed from those around me. Over time, I began to recognise traits in myself that are commonly associated with autism, which eventually led me to seek a diagnosis. The process took about six months, so by the time I received confirmation, I had already started to come to terms with the likelihood of being autistic. As a result, I wasn’t too shocked when the diagnosis was confirmed.
Receiving the diagnosis brought a huge sense of relief. It gave me an explanation for so many aspects of my personality and behaviour that I’ve struggled to understand—and that others have often misunderstood. It’s helped me begin to make sense of myself, though I’m still adjusting and know that it will take time.
Even though I’m still early in my journey, I hope to eventually get involved in autism advocacy and contribute to charities. I especially want to raise awareness for girls and women who are often overlooked or misdiagnosed with conditions like anxiety or depression—something I personally went through. I spent a long time feeling alone and confused, and it wasn’t until I began learning about how autism presents in girls that I finally felt seen.
I’d really love to connect with others who’ve had similar experiences at school. I was always labelled as the "quiet girl" who rarely spoke, and that led to low self-esteem and social isolation. Making and maintaining friendships has always been a struggle for me, and at the moment, I don’t have any close friends, which can be very hard. Some days, it’s difficult to even leave the house.
Anyway, thank you for reading this long introduction! I’m just really grateful to have found a space with people who understand and share similar experiences.
