How do you learn to accept being autistic? To be more specific, I see so many people in the community say how proud they are to be autistic and how great it's been for them since being diagnosed. However, I thought I'd be happy and proud too after finally being diagnosed late and feel reassured, but I've honestly felt more depressed since. Maybe it's just the ableism I receive quite often now that people know, but also, I feel very limited. I can only handle certain situations, I can't do certain things other people can do, and I've been kinda a loner my whole life because of how different I am. To get to the point, I wish I was "normal" like other people and could do and handle the things I can't handle. But with me being autistic, I wish I was proud to be different and that I was born the way I was, but I just am not. Feel free to comment your thoughts, stories, advice, or anything that may be helpful in this scenario!
i think it takes quite a while. i figured out i was autistic a couple yrs ago and im not formally diagnosed yet. im still like grappling with internalized ableism and working on unmasking my autistic traits. what helps me is having other autistic friends to talk to and reading about autism itself is helpful too, but i understand not having the energy for either of those things
Being autistic can be pretty alienating at times, but being aware of my needs and actively studying social norms (not to mask, but because I find them fascinating) has helped me become more in tune with other people's needs and improve my friendships. Not everyone has that self awareness. I've also met quite a few neurodivergent people both online and in real life, and it's a joy to connect with them and find someone who acts so similarly to me.
You aren't alone. In some ways I regret getting a diagnoses and am dealing with a lot of internalized ablism
The one thing helping me are a couple friends who say they genuinely love my autistic qualities and want me to unmask more and more
I know how you feel. I was diagnosed at a young age (even though I am mostly verbal) and for the longest time I ignored it because it didn't effect me much. I also didn't really understand autism made me different untill I was in my late teens. Im trying to come to terms with and understand it more now mostly because I have a hard time finding and keeping friends.
I also feel like I wish I was normal sometimes, and other times I really like certain aspects, like special interests, or the way my brain thinks. But it's also really hard, and I think it's okay to acknowledge that too. There's nothing wrong with feeling not great about it. I wouldn't say I feel proud I'm autistic, but I do like things about it and I also think other autistic people are cool, and I've somehow found other cool people to talk to who are autistic. Therapy has helped, and so has putting into perspective the good things and what I like or admire in others and then noticing that in myself. But it is hard. And it sucks sometimes. I can do a lot less. It's okay to acknowledge that.
I'm not proud either but not ashamed. I feel kind of afraid honestly because of all the discrimination in the world. I'm glad I'm different but it feels scary too.
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CandyFrog
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How do you learn to accept being autistic?
To be more specific, I see so many people in the community say how proud they are to be autistic and how great it's been for them since being diagnosed.
However, I thought I'd be happy and proud too after finally being diagnosed late and feel reassured, but I've honestly felt more depressed since. Maybe it's just the ableism I receive quite often now that people know, but also, I feel very limited. I can only handle certain situations, I can't do certain things other people can do, and I've been kinda a loner my whole life because of how different I am. To get to the point, I wish I was "normal" like other people and could do and handle the things I can't handle. But with me being autistic, I wish I was proud to be different and that I was born the way I was, but I just am not.
Feel free to comment your thoughts, stories, advice, or anything that may be helpful in this scenario!
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
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☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision