Mama_Litts
New Member
Hi All, I am currently a self-identified autistic elder (having come to this realization at age 60) awaiting a confirming diagnosis. I’d originally decided not to pursue an official diagnosis, but when I realized that I have significant challenges with Alexithymia, poor interocerption, poor proprioception, etc, and discovered that working with a specialized OT might help me in these areas, but that OTs in the US need a referral from a diagnosing professional, I decided to go ahead with assessment. I am also beginning to suspect there is an ADHD component involved (for example, I have a hard time keeping track of things, like my phone, so I set the ringer on this loud, obnoxious ringtone, so that I could hear it when I was in another room, or track it down when it had gotten buried in the couch etc. The ringtone is horrible and very antagonistic to my sensory sensitive brain, but choosing a “kinder” ringtone results in my not being able to hear or find the phone. What’s a girl to do?).
I came to my ASD realization with the help of my therapist, who brought up neurodivergence in general, and then through my own tendency to deep dive. Books, self-assessments, online resources, etc. Dig, dig, dig, dig, dig. Truthfully, I didn’t expect I’d find a wormhole to an “alternate Universe” where I finally fit in, but that’s pretty much exactly what happened. I found a niche where so very many of the seemingly confusing puzzle pieces of my life came together so easily and naturally, finally offering some cohesion to my sense of Self. And of course, with all that has come understanding, and forgiveness (for myself, for the NT ex who really tried but couldn’t get his own emotional needs met in our relationship, for my mother, who was, retrospectively, very clearly autistic). I needed UNDERSTANDING in order to find forgiveness, and I finally have that.
I’ve joined here to grow my ASD community, have the chance when I need it to tap into the Hive Mind for ideas and support, and be there for others as and when I can be of help. I’m so excited to join all of you.
I came to my ASD realization with the help of my therapist, who brought up neurodivergence in general, and then through my own tendency to deep dive. Books, self-assessments, online resources, etc. Dig, dig, dig, dig, dig. Truthfully, I didn’t expect I’d find a wormhole to an “alternate Universe” where I finally fit in, but that’s pretty much exactly what happened. I found a niche where so very many of the seemingly confusing puzzle pieces of my life came together so easily and naturally, finally offering some cohesion to my sense of Self. And of course, with all that has come understanding, and forgiveness (for myself, for the NT ex who really tried but couldn’t get his own emotional needs met in our relationship, for my mother, who was, retrospectively, very clearly autistic). I needed UNDERSTANDING in order to find forgiveness, and I finally have that.
I’ve joined here to grow my ASD community, have the chance when I need it to tap into the Hive Mind for ideas and support, and be there for others as and when I can be of help. I’m so excited to join all of you.
