My 6 year Autiversary

Written in April 2024

I got my formal diagnosis on the 19th of April 2018, which is fitting because that's Autism Acceptance (or Awareness, as it was back then) Month. My friends and family became more aware and (generally) more accepting of autism as a direct result of that piece of paper. As did I.

I've written before about accepting my own autism, and how that's advanced into accepting the diversity of my own neurotype – it's not just autism going on up there. I now describe myself as AuDHD, identify with the label “dyspraxic” (identity first, because my co-ordination struggles have been and will continue to be a massive part of my existence and experience) and hyperlexic (again, that is part of my identity, part of my self, not something that's an add-on, or a trivial aspect).
 

When I look back to the time around 8 years ago when I first self-identified as autistic and compare that with now, I can see I've made a lot of progress and overcome a lot of shit in the process.

The knowledge and understanding of my neurobiology, the things I have learned not to be ashamed about, and the things I have learned that help me cope... these are all things I've really found in the last 6-8 years and while I'm still the same person, I am a different person in many ways.
 

I'm more authentically me now, I'm better at self-reflection and managing my distant connection with my emotions. I haven't changed the core of myself, but I have found a better, stronger connection with who I actually am.

Part of that is unmasking and rebuilding my sense of self from the parts that have been dismantled and stripped back. Part of it is through regular counselling to provide me with a path through this journey. Part of it is through connecting with my peers and my community. A big part of it has been accepting all of this, even when it's been tough.

One fairly major change has been getting the self-confidence to strike out on my own with neurodiversity training for workplaces.  It is proving to be a challenge in some ways, but these are the ways in which I expected it to challenge me.  I'm taking that as a sign that I know myself better now than ever before.  So, shameless plug incoming: if you need neurodiversity or autism training for your workplace or organisation, or you need consultancy, someone to ask about being neurodivergent or someone for a panel session, I am available!  Contact me to kick off the process, and check out my resources section while I get back to you.
 

*https://www.actuallyautisticadult.com/aaw-accepting-the-rest-of-my-neurodivergence

Image by sh_988 from Pixabay