Read on Twitter
#Thread
Things that made me realise I actually was autistic...
...when I got my autism diagnosis at the age of 58.
#ActuallyAutistic
#LateDiagnosis
#AllAutistics
1/
Things that made me realise I actually was autistic...
...when I got my autism diagnosis at the age of 58.
#ActuallyAutistic
#LateDiagnosis
#AllAutistics
1/
My vocabulary was very advanced for my age in childhood.
Reading books helped me make sense of a chaotic, confusing world.
Because Iām autistic.
2/
Reading books helped me make sense of a chaotic, confusing world.
Because Iām autistic.
2/
Stroking the silk edging on my blanket as a child calmed me.
Wool clothes were too scratchy and uncomfortable to wear.
Because Iām autistic.
3/
Wool clothes were too scratchy and uncomfortable to wear.
Because Iām autistic.
3/
In some relationships I was being lied to or exploited.
I didnāt always realise that I was being duped at the time.
Because Iām autistic.
4/
I didnāt always realise that I was being duped at the time.
Because Iām autistic.
4/
Change completely outside my control can be hard to cope with.
At times like that familiarity reassures and grounds me.
Because Iām autistic.
5/
At times like that familiarity reassures and grounds me.
Because Iām autistic.
5/
When Iām stressed or upset my ability to speak is compromised.
Group discussions are always very challenging for me.
Because Iām autistic.
6/
Group discussions are always very challenging for me.
Because Iām autistic.
6/
I find it hard to sustain a job for any length of time.
I put in huge amounts of effort, achieve things, then burn out.
Because Iām autistic.
7/
I put in huge amounts of effort, achieve things, then burn out.
Because Iām autistic.
7/
When I started learning to drive a car I struggled to change gear.
Once I knew how a clutch worked I could do the practical bit.
Because Iām autistic.
8/
Once I knew how a clutch worked I could do the practical bit.
Because Iām autistic.
8/
Some jokes make no sense and have to be explained to me.
Cruel humour reminds me of being bullied.
Because Iām autistic.
9/
Cruel humour reminds me of being bullied.
Because Iām autistic.
9/
If I get excited I talk a lot and wave my hands around.
Some people told me to tone it down, and suppress the real me.
Because Iām autistic.
10/
Some people told me to tone it down, and suppress the real me.
Because Iām autistic.
10/
I am very sensitive to other peopleās emotions.
I react to toxic atmospheres like a canary down a mine.
Because Iām autistic.
11/
I react to toxic atmospheres like a canary down a mine.
Because Iām autistic.
11/
From time to time I become completely engrossed in a project.
What Iām working on becomes all-consuming. I lose track of time, think of nothing else.
Because Iām autistic.
12/
What Iām working on becomes all-consuming. I lose track of time, think of nothing else.
Because Iām autistic.
12/
If I take a position on something based on my values, Iām unlikely to shift unless the facts change.
The personal consequences may be catastrophic, but Iāll stick to my principles come what may.
Because Iām autistic.
13/
The personal consequences may be catastrophic, but Iāll stick to my principles come what may.
Because Iām autistic.
13/
I find it hard to comprehend the lengths some people are willing to go to for personal gain.
Sometimes, many years later, it finally dawns on me what was actually going on.
Because Iām autistic.
14/
Sometimes, many years later, it finally dawns on me what was actually going on.
Because Iām autistic.
14/
Factions and divisions within political and social movements get me down.
I donāt want to take sides, I want to work in the common interest. This is probably seen as naive.
Because Iām autistic.
15/
I donāt want to take sides, I want to work in the common interest. This is probably seen as naive.
Because Iām autistic.
15/
I see being autistic as something wonderful, not terrible.
I will fight all attempts to cure us or gene edit us out of existence.
Because Iām autistic.
16/
I will fight all attempts to cure us or gene edit us out of existence.
Because Iām autistic.
16/
I am most fully myself with other autistic people.
Scientific tests validated traits, but they didnāt capture my soul.
Because Iām autistic.
17/
Scientific tests validated traits, but they didnāt capture my soul.
Because Iām autistic.
17/
I often feel demeaned if I read medical literature on autism.
Some of the traits that I see as positive are pathologised.
Because Iām autistic.
18/
Some of the traits that I see as positive are pathologised.
Because Iām autistic.
18/
For most of my life I felt like an irregular, ill-defined shape.
I never quite managed to fit in, however hard I tried.
Because Iām autistic.
19/
I never quite managed to fit in, however hard I tried.
Because Iām autistic.
19/
Getting an autism diagnosis opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
Iām the same person Iāve always been, but I know who I am now.
I wonāt bow down to peopleās prejudices and narrow expectations.
Because Iām autistic.
#AllAutistics
#HumanRights
#AutisticRights
20/ end
Iām the same person Iāve always been, but I know who I am now.
I wonāt bow down to peopleās prejudices and narrow expectations.
Because Iām autistic.
#AllAutistics
#HumanRights
#AutisticRights
20/ end
