Realizing My Childhood Signs of Autism Spectrum

I wondered why I didn’t get diagnosed as a kid a lot, then I remember, my dad didn’t get diagnosed until after I did, and I acted how he did a lot. Then I think of how I didn’t spend time with anyone, was the last in my class to learn how to tie my shoes, was the first in my class to read chapter books, and wonder again, then remember my parents both had full time jobs.

Definitely! I had so many signs growing up but they diagnosed me as developmental delayed. I’m still trying to fight for a diagnosis after my therapist suggested I was on the spectrum because I showed a lot of characteristics. This has by far been the hardest journey of my life though.

Yup! When I was little my best friend at the time tried to change me and all the things about me to help me fit in

Yuuuuup was literally textbook autism+adhd combo but (probably because Afab and cute it wasn’t taken seriously at all). Was literally tested for why we were failing in elementary school but because iq was super high they just decided we weren’t trying hard enough. Was never gifted kid tho was literally always failing everything and bad at making friends and understanding anything… thinking about it now makes me angry.

YES OMG! when i had sleepovers with my friends, i would create a timed schedule/routine and absolutely melt down if it was not followed. i also has encyclopedic knowledge of obscure topics (symbiotic harmony, echolocation, monster trucks—the most random subjects that i found fascinating) i would have horrible meltdowns, where i was yelling and crying and even biting. my parents just thought i was an emotional kid, haha

I absolutely have this experience. I look back at my childhood knowing my diagnosis now and wonder how my parents didn’t notice lol. I stimmed a lot, struggled socially, had meltdowns, was sensitive to light/sounds, had attention problems, was delayed in speech and reading. the list goes on 😂 It goes to show you how doctors, parents, and school systems can miss the even the most basic signs of neurodiversity