sjmks

I think of it like when you’re 15 and you babysit a 12 year old and a 9 year old. They stay 12 and 9 in your memory. Then suddenly you come across them on Facebook. You’re 40 and they’re 37 and 34 now; they both have kids the same age as yours and you’re like, no, that’s actually impossible. Anyone younger than you always seems SO much younger even as you age. (I say this as a cusp millennial, 1980.)

Also, I preordered your book and started reading it immediately the other day. I really appreciate that you wrote it, it’s the book I needed at exactly the right time.

I work at a large tech company and we have an employee resource group for people with disabilities, which has expanded to include neurodiversity. We have a great community of ADHD/ASD colleagues and in a short time as a member I’ve found a lot of validation and support. In my 20 year career I never felt like this at work - like I’m not alone. A colleague posted about your book last week in our Slack channel. I’m very grateful!

I’m late to this because Instagram didn’t show me your post until today so you may not see this. I just want to thank you. I’m 42, certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that I’m autistic after a year of re-examining every relationship, interaction, experience, and thought I’ve ever had in my life. But I’m not diagnosed and have been feeling like a fake. Like I just woke up one day and decided to pretend to be autistic. I’ve been struggling because I want to be diagnosed but am also deeply afraid of being evaluated and NOT getting a diagnosis.

Something clicked when I read your comment about how trans people used to need a diagnosis to access trans healthcare. When I’m struggling with a concept, I often need to be able to draw a parallel to “get it” and that really clicked with me. I think I can shift my mindset now. I feel like I’ve been withholding an authentic existence for myself just out of reach, like I don’t deserve it without that diagnosis. It’s like I know I am autistic, I know some people don’t get a professional diagnosis and that’s ok, but I MYSELF have felt like I’m not worthy of self-acceptance and an authentic existence without it.

I just watched the Paris doc last night because of a post in Anne’s FB group. Currently 80 comments, which I am still reading through.