Hello!! New here!!

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Hi all!

I'm making a post here because I suppose I'm looking for a long-term community of sorts? I'm not sure, but I hope you're all doing well. I also just adore these old fashioned forums and miss them.

I received an autism diagnosis yesterday! As a kid in the 90's, I was evaluated for Asperger's, but wouldn't you know, despite hitting all the criteria, my assessor thought that I was "too social" to qualify, so I slipped through the cracks and struggled my way through school and adulthood. Love that for me.

I've been researching autism off and on for the last several years, constantly trying to figure out what was going on with me because none of the non-committal diagnoses I'd received or not received but were implied, seem to stick or make much long-term sense. This year I really dove in, listening to content creators, audiobooks, real life people and not just the black & white criteria. That changed a lot for me. This was me. I knew it this time. So, I finally had my evaluation and met the criteria and received an autism diagnosis in my 30's! Better late than never, although I do feel bad for myself for all the things I went through, completely unaware of what was going on this whole time.

Anyway, I'm feeling really good about it.

I'm into things like virtual pets, beekeeping although I can't actually do it myself but am going to a hands-on "hive field day" later this year!, and oddly specific, The Muppets. I'm slowly going through all things Jim Henson, but that's going to take me awhile. What are you into?

Thanks for listening to my ramble! I hope to stick around!

welcome, glad you found us. Lots of good info here, and good folks.

Welcome to WP! I hope you do stick around.

I have mixed feelings regarding when is the best time to get a diagnosis.

- Obviously, if someone needs treatment or formal accommodations then they need a diagnosis
->->(If they can get by with informal accommodations then I'm not counting that.
->->->For instance, I used to keep windup and fidget toys on my desk,
->->->I didn't need special permission, people just thought it was odd.)

- Otherwise, I suspect someone might be better off not getting a diagnosis until they have gotten older and have established their credentials and credibility. I think is is better to not risk having everyone judge you based solely upon a label.
->->(I had those toys on my desk decades before I got a diagnosis.
->->->I didn't have them because I was "Autistic", I had them because I was "odd".)

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Welcome to WP!

Welcome to Wrong Planet.

You indicated that you might be an Aspie (someone with Asperger's Syndrome). Since I am an Aspie, you might have found a home. I dug a little deeper. You wrote that you were a baker. That makes sense. We can have a very acute sense of taste. You also wrote that one of your special interest was Tamagotchis. I was not familiar with that word, so I looked it up.



One other comment. Autism is displayed differently between males and females. In general females find better ways of blending into society. They are better able to hide their traits.

Ahoy-hoy.

Welcome to the Wrong Planet! ฅ՞•ﻌ•՞ฅ

Ugh, I hate that you had to experience un-validating doctors. I have had very similar experiences as someone who is assigned female at birth. They assumed that since I am able to act friendly/social, and had good grades in school that nothing was wrong with me (officially diagnosed with ADHD in 2022)!

Can I ask, what sort of audiobooks about ASD did you listen to?! I'm a huge audiobook fan and would love to listen to some books to aid in my mental health journey. I am certain that I am on the autism spectrum, but can't afford, and have no desire to pursue an official diagnosis. Congrats on your official diagnosis!

Also, I love bees!! They are so important. I would love to keep them someday in the far future (once I can own a home with a backyard). I hope you are able to keep a hive yourself someday!