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Hello!

Lealo2002

Hi, I’m Erin, I’m 23 years old and I have Level 1 Autism. I was diagnosed December last year.  I’ve always known I had autism, everyone just thought I was insane. I waited about 6 years to be told something I already knew the answer to. I was scared at first, because I thought this diagnosis was going to change me as a person. I have to remind myself that I’m still the same person I was before I got the diagnosis. I struggle with a lot of things in my daily life, some things as simple as brushing my teeth and making my bed. I was always called lazy, disgusting or my favourite one.. an attention seeker. 

Usually when people hear that you’ve got high functioning autism, they instantly think “oh so you don’t really have it, you can still look after yourself”. We all struggle in our own ways. Sensory issues have been a massive thing for me. Which has stopped me from going to social events, resulting in me losing friends and being known as untrustworthy. 

Ever since getting my Diagnosis I’ve felt lost not knowing what to do with myself. I wasn’t offered any further support, so I’ve spend months trying to figure out a plan for myself. I’m currently jobless and have been for over a year, I tend to feel lonely and bored as I’ve lost all my friends. I’m hoping to see a doctor soon to discuss further support, so that’s one positive thing.  

This is only a small part of my story, I’ve been terrified to reach out to other people that are like me, but I realised what have I got to lose. <3

  • Hello.

    Being scared to be seen is one of the biggest things to overcome because it isolates you. It is hard, but your biggest critic is usually yourself and it can often be distorted, exaggerated or wrong. What seems super embarrassing or liable to judgement is no big deal in reality. It is difficult to believe that though.

    There are often people in the same boat. While this doesn't change anything it sort of helps to know. You are still in charge of your own destiny but you are not quite so alone.

  • Good morning from America, Erin!

    I’m glad you are on here to look for connections! Don’t hesitate to chime in on some of the other threads, especially the 3 Good Things thread, where we list three positive things that have happened recently.

    In regards to being jobless, do you mind me asking if you are wanting a job? I’m an employment specialist / job coach, so I might have some advice if you’re struggling to find/keep a job.

  • in reply to Lealo2002

    That's beautiful... Harry Potter and music as your anchors? I get it.

    When everything else feels too loud or too much, those worlds - Hogwarts, spells, that perfect playlist - they're like safe rooms you can step into. No judgment, no demands, just... yours. And yeah, headphones as a comfort item? That's not weird, that's smart. It's your shield against the noise, your little bubble.

    I'm glad they're there for you. They don't fix everything, but they keep you going - and that's huge.

    What song or book chapter hits hardest when things get rough?

  • in reply to lostmyway

    Thank you so much for your reply, it really makes me feel like I’m not alone in all of this. I’m hugely into fantasy things like Harry Potter. Sometimes it’s the only thing this helps me get through the day. I also love music, I usually have my headphones on me at all times, like a comfort item. Music and Harry Potter have really changed my life in the best way. 

  • Lealo2002 said:
    We all struggle in our own ways

    Yes, Erin, definitely true.  Welcome to where we "get it".

  • Hey Erin... first off, welcome. Seriously - thank you for sharing this.

    That six-year wait? That's not just time; that's years of being gaslit by everyone around you. "Lazy," "disgusting," "attention seeker" - those words stick like glue, even when you know they're bull****. And yeah, Level 1 doesn't mean "easy" - it means invisible struggles. Brushing teeth, making bed... those aren't small. They're battles against a brain that's wired to notice every texture, every noise, every "should."

    The diagnosis didn't change you - it just named what was always there. You're still Erin. The same one who loves - whatever you love (you didn't say, but I'm guessing it's something quiet and yours). The fear that it'll "change" you? That's common. But honestly? It frees you. No more pretending you're "fine."

    Sensory stuff stealing friends? That hurts. People don't get why you bail - because they don't feel the lights like knives or the chatter like static. But losing trust? That's not on you. It's on them for not asking why.

    Jobless, lonely, bored... yeah, that's a rough loop. But you're already breaking it - reaching out here? That's huge. And seeing a doctor soon? That's momentum.

    You're not lost. You're just... at the start of a map you didn't know you had. Start small: one routine (maybe a soft toothbrush, no toothpaste if it tastes wrong). One interest (what's yours - music? Games? Collecting?). One person - like us - who won't call you insane.

    You've got nothing to lose, and everything to gain. We're glad you're here