New to Diagnosis and to WP

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Hello,

My name is Jack, I'm a newly diagnosed autistic teen, and I'm new here.

I was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (level 1) two months ago after my family and I tried to decipher my brain for eight years. I am also diagnosed with unspecified anxiety disorder, though I likely meet the criteria for generalized and social anxiety disorders despite the lack of an official evaluation.

My family realized I was a bit different when I was in first grade and sought an evaluation, upon which I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. I was reevaluated in seventh grade, but although I met the diagnostic criteria for autism, I wasn't "officially" diagnosed since I was dealing with intense self-stigma around it. After a miserably lonely start to tenth grade, I was desperate for answers and asked if I could be re-evaluated. My parents tracked down the psychologist from my last evaluation, and I got slapped with the label after a short telehealth meeting.

In the past couple of months, I've had some major revelations about my social and emotional past. However, the diagnosis was no magic bullet. I'm still lonely and feel like a weirdo wherever I go. I want to just "unmask," find my true self, find my people, and live in authentic bliss. But as I'm sure we all know too well, that isn't as easy as it sounds.

Anyway, I guess I should talk about other things in this intro besides the mental health stuff. I'm currently in my sophomore year of high school, trying to maintain good grades while spicing up my experience and resume with extracurriculars. I'm passionate about the performing arts and I'm in band (string bass), choir (bass vocals), and theater at school. I love helping others, so I'm currently running an Interact (community service) Club and one day I want to be that rare, amazing teacher who bridges the gap between productivity and fun in the classroom.

Thanks for reading my ramblings, and I can't wait to connect with this community!

TL;DR: I'm a high school student trying to find a community amid mixed feelings from a recent autism diagnosis.

Jack, Welcome to Wrong Planet.

Many times society tries to put labels on us. I have Asperger's Syndrome, or for short an Aspie. As a result, I have an I.Q. above normal. Life for me as a young child was difficult because I was physically/psychologically attacked by the fellow students in my school from 6-8th grade. At the end of the 8th grade, the student held a party and voted me Least Likely to Succeed. But when I entered 9th grade, I went to a class called Speed Reading which taught me how to read from the inside out. As a result I went to college and majored in nuclear physics.

So if you are anything like me, believe in yourself and your special capabilities.
What, you did not know that you had special capabilities? You do. You have abilities that some people do not posses. For example music and theater. And as you journey through life you may discover many, many more.

Hi Jack,
Welcome aboard.
I hope we can keep you entertained and informed.

^^^^ This One. ^^^^ above by jimmy m

Welcome to Wrong Planet...