J.K. Ullrich on Nostr: Question for the #ActuallyAutistic community: After learning about how autism ...
Question for the #ActuallyAutistic community:
After learning about how autism presents in adult women and researching the scant #psychology literature available, I'm fairly convinced I'm on the spectrum.
Since formal diagnosis is expensive and time-consuming (not to mention potentially inaccurate as a female), I doubt I'll seek one. I mostly function well, so a label isn't much benefit. It would just be useful shorthand to explain my quirks to colleagues.
But I worry that identifying myself like that might dilute the term for others with more severe symptoms. It irks me when people use #OCD—for which I do have a clinical diagnosis—to denote meticulousness. Being tidy is not the same as intrusive, paralyzing brain loops! I don't want to do the same disservice to #autism.
Should I say I'm "a little autistic" or "have autistic tendencies"? How can I respectfully convey a probable-not-proven condition? Is it better not to attempt such a claim? I'd appreciate perspectives.
After learning about how autism presents in adult women and researching the scant #psychology literature available, I'm fairly convinced I'm on the spectrum.
Since formal diagnosis is expensive and time-consuming (not to mention potentially inaccurate as a female), I doubt I'll seek one. I mostly function well, so a label isn't much benefit. It would just be useful shorthand to explain my quirks to colleagues.
But I worry that identifying myself like that might dilute the term for others with more severe symptoms. It irks me when people use #OCD—for which I do have a clinical diagnosis—to denote meticulousness. Being tidy is not the same as intrusive, paralyzing brain loops! I don't want to do the same disservice to #autism.
Should I say I'm "a little autistic" or "have autistic tendencies"? How can I respectfully convey a probable-not-proven condition? Is it better not to attempt such a claim? I'd appreciate perspectives.