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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

Parents

  • 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

  • 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. 

  • 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?

Reply
  • 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?

Children
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