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Autism

Hi guys not sure if anyone else can relate I was diagnosed with autism quite some time ago and being the only one in my family who is autistic and never really knowing whether there were others on the spectrum with autism like me and growing up feeling like I was alone and struggling between knowing I've accepted who I am and still running from who I am at the same time

lillypond
lillypondPosted 18-05-2023 04:19 PM

Comments

 
DDandy
DDandyPosted 20-05-2023 10:44 AM

Hey @lillypond , I just wanted you to know that you're not alone in feeling this way. Being diagnosed with autism and being the only one in your family who shares this experience sounds like its making you feel disconnected. It's completely understandable to have conflicting emotions about accepting and embracing your identity while also struggling with it.

 

I just wanted to let you know that autism is a unique aspect of you, and it also doesn't define who you are. You have your own strengths, talents, and potential to explore and develop in the coming times. I hope connecting with others who are on the spectrum on ReachOut and other places can provide you with a sense of community and support.

Stay strong!

 
 
lillypond
lillypondPosted 20-05-2023 06:26 PM

Hey @DDandy thanks DDandy being the only one in my family who shares this experience has definitely been making me feel disconnected with strong conflicting emotions about accepting and embracing my identity while also struggling with it and not knowing what Gods plan for me is just yet or what my potential is plays a big part in that and not knowing what God wants me to do or what's next in store for me but i guess in time i have to trust that all the answers i'm searching for will eventually become clear over the coming times

 
 
 
Pho-RO
Pho-ROPosted 20-05-2023 07:46 PM

Hey @lillypond it can definitely be really tricky to balance the desire to fit in with the desire to be your authentic self. Whilst things are definitely changing for the autistic community, there's still a lot of stigma and misinformation out there. I think a lot of autistic people do find there's solace to be found in community. If you don't really know anyone in your life who is also neurodiverse, you could potentially find some groups and stuff online? I know facebook and reddit both have pretty active autistic communities. It's great to hear that your faith is so strong in this journey, and I hope you find your way forward in time - I have faith that you will. Sometimes, though it sucks (and it also sucks to hear), you gotta wait until you're a little older, and trust that you will find your people. Engaging in activities that interest you is a good way to find kinship though - do you have any special interests that you could find a social club or something for? 

 
Chloe-RO
Chloe-ROPosted 18-05-2023 09:12 PM

Hi @lillypond ,

 

Thank you for sharing. It is so true that it can take some time for people to fully accept/reject their identity as they grow up trying to find acceptance in this world. It sounds like it was a struggle for others to really understand your needs? Would you say so? At the same time, sounds like it must have been difficult for you growing up in a space where you were not as understood as you would have liked.

 

Looking back, is there anything you think could have helped to make the whole experience of 'finding yourself' a little easier?

 

I'm not sure when you were diagnosed and what it was like then, but I somehow think there is more acceptance of autism in schools now. I'm not saying they absolutely have it right, but I can definitely see reforms aimed to support those who may need that extra support in schools.

 

I hope you will be able to connect with others on the forums here who can share their experiences with you.

 
 
lillypond
lillypondPosted 18-05-2023 10:57 PM

thanks for reaching out Chloe it definitely has been a real struggle for others to really understand my needs and a real struggle growing up in a space where i was never as understood as i would have liked and definitely when i was in school i really struggled with other kids isolating me and leaving me out of their groups and never really wanting me as part of their groups and would only let me join in if a teacher asked them to i was home schooled up until officially starting real school in year 8 so i never really had that social connection with other kids growing up i hadn't been diagnosed until first starting out in year 8 when it really started to become obvious that i was really struggling so i think looking back there is definitely a lot that could have made the whole experience of finding myself a little easier if i had been diagnosed at an earlier stage and i'd had more supports throughout my schooling years and if i'd had that social connection with other kids growing up

 
 
 
Blake_RO
Blake_ROPosted 19-05-2023 02:39 PM

Hey @lillypond 

Thank you for sharing more about this with us and for being so honest. 

It is understandable how difficult it must have been for you to not have felt understood by everyone around you when you were growing up and by not having supports. It must have made school extra challenging without having that support. I was wondering if you feel more supported and understood by those around you now and if you have more supports? 

 

I'm sorry to hear that you were treated that way by other kids, that would have been very tough to deal with. I was wondering if you've been able to connect with anyone or form any new friendships since school? 

 

I'm really glad that you've been able to share this with us. Have you ever spoken to anyone else about this and shared how you're feeling? 

 

 
 
 
 
lillypond
lillypondPosted 19-05-2023 07:35 PM

Hey @Blake_RO 

thanks Natalie for replying school was definitely extra challenging without having the supports i needed to help me get through it's still been very challenging to feel connected and supported by those around me and still facing a lot of struggles with gaining supports particularly around gaining supports like support workers to help me get out and about more as limited available public transport options and not having my licence yet has meant difficulties in getting out with any friends i manage to make and having to rely on parents to drive me around rather than being able to get to places on my own has been making trying to gain my own independence very difficult i have one close friend who is autistic like me though and who also suffers through depression and who opened up to me today and i was able to share my own feelings as to what i've been going through and it was really nice to be able to talk to someone who knows what it's like to feel a little depressed and isolated and who could really relate to the depression i've been feeling recently and i've also been looking into the process of a therapist or psychologist to help go through what i've been processing at the moment i've been suffering through low mood swings for a while and my feelings of depression have been a little bad today that not even reading or colouring in have been helping me stay grounded much but trying to find other ways of grounding myself when i start to feel overwhelmed

 
 
 
 
 
Chloe-RO
Chloe-ROPosted 19-05-2023 09:10 PM

Hi @lillypond ,

 

Great to hear from you again. It sounds so encouraging to hear that you found a like-minded person to talk to today and that you found it very helpful. It is so true that when we get to connect with people, we feel less lonely. It sounds like you feel that your independence is limited because it is hard to get a support worker and you don't get have your licence? Am I right in saying that? Can you think of other ways to increase your independence?  For example, have friends come to you, and then go out together?

 

After reading about you looking for other grounding techniques, have you ever tried diamond art? Or paint-by-number? You can also have a look at some of the suggestions here.

Even putting a piece of chocolate in your mouth and really 'sensing' it can be a grounding technique.

 

What do you think? Interested to hear your thoughts.

 
Sophia1998
Sophia1998Posted 18-05-2023 04:44 PM

Hi, I also have autism and I was diagnosed when I was very little. If you ever need someone to talk to on the forum I am here. You aren’t alone. I also do not have many friends. I also have ADHD, Epilepsy, Depression and anxiety. I just recently turned 22 years old. I am nice, kind and caring. I am here for you no matter what. I like to dance and bake. 

 
Sophia1998
Sophia1998Posted 18-05-2023 04:44 PM

Hi, I also have autism and I was diagnosed when I was very little. If you ever need someone to talk to on the forum I am here. You aren’t alone. I also do not have many friends. I also have ADHD, Epilepsy, Depression and anxiety. I just recently turned 22 years old. I am nice, kind and caring. I am here for you no matter what. 

 
 
lillypond
lillypondPosted 18-05-2023 05:50 PM

Hi it's nice to know that there are others out there like me i have been struggling with depression myself in the last few weeks i am also nice kind and caring and i'm sorry to hear you don't have many friends if you ever need someone to talk to i'm here for you as well i love reading,listening to music,baking and singing I am currently 20 years old

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