Looking for resources and info on adulthood as an Autistic person? Let's dive in!
It's a challenge being an Autistic adult in this day and age. Whether you:
were diagnosed as a child
discovered at a later date that you had Autistic traits
are still considering that you may be Autistic
there are few resources, mounting expectations, and frequent misunderstandings regarding the invisible nature of our disability.
Our lives can be fraught with more daily peril than our neurotypical counterparts. A tag on a shirt we didn't notice can ruin days at a time with the sensory overwhelm. The wrong food can cause a bad sensory response. Not to mention that Autism is frequently co-diagnosed with ADHD, which leaves many of us struggling to function on multiple levels.
So where do we turn to?
Autistic Resources and Therapists
Many psychiatrists and psychologists refuse to believe that someone with friends, or a partner, could be Autistic. Many refuse to diagnose adults altogether. Some have deluded themselves into thinking that later-diagnosed Autism is a fad.
There are a few supportive Actually Autistic organizations-- communities led and created by other Autistics-- such as Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) and Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network (AWN). However, we could always be doing more. We need more resources just for us.
ASAN (Autistic Self Advocacy Network) and AWN (Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network) are vital Autistic resources.
It's true that educating neurotypicals especially parents of Autistic children, as these organizations do, is vital work. However, I have found few resources meant specifically for our experience.
That's why this website exists.
Autistic Peer Support
I'm an Autistic adult, a scientist, a writer, and a professional. I will strive to provide interesting, scientific, and well-researched articles about the adult Autistic experience. Where I can, I will use knowledge gleaned from #ActuallyAutistic communities.
As many people say, "if you've met one Autistic person you've met one person with Autism." My personal story and voice could never capture the entire experience. If you want to talk about Autism, you need to talk to as many Autistic people as possible. Many of these articles will include interviews with other Autistic community members, educators, and professionals.
Lived experience, when combined, builds into collective wisdom. Peer-reviewed articles have their place, but I also believe that we can share some vital knowledge by putting our heads together and sharing our thoughts.
In addition, peer support can be a very helpful tool. Sometimes talking with someone who not only "gets it" but "lives it" too, can be as beneficial as talking to a trained therapist. In the future I might facilitate these peer support sessions for Autism.
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
Thriving as an Autistic Adult
This website will serve as a resource base for everything Autism. So, welcome to a space where we explore the reality of being an Autistic adult and all the ways we can thrive in our unique journeys. Living as an Autistic person can come with different challenges and benefits depending on our unique symptoms. We each have our own perspective, which comes with different feelings, stories, and insights, and I'll seek to spotlight as many of those as I can.
I will post information on a variety of topics, such as accepting your identity, finding your strengths, building your support system, employment, coping strategies, and far more.
Final Thoughts
I created this website because, when I first realized that I might be Autistic at 17 years old, I was almost completely alone. My family was unsupportive and it was unthinkable to mention to my friends. I hope I can be a comforting resource for you in your own journey, wherever you are in it!
Thank you for joining me on this journey!
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