I'm 30 at the end of this month and I've recently been diagnosed with autism. Ask me anything.

[evenifigoalone]

People are aware of autism's existence: not so much the actual symptoms and traits that make up the disorder.

Autism was a new diagnosis back in the 80s, and back then only the most severe cases were diagnosed. The first person ever diagnosed with autism is actually still alive, too. Over the decades since, they have learned more. There are more children diagnosed than adults because of the disorder only being recognized recently. But autistic children become autistic adults: it doesn't disappear when you turn 18.

Autism also doesn't (necessarily) mean intellectually disabled. So there's no need to talk down to us.


(The gold infinity symbol on the headphones in this picture is the autism symbol that the adult autistic community tends to prefer. We also use the rainbow infinity symbol. We hate the puzzle piece.)

 

[Riven]

Why do you hate the puzzle piece?

 

[evenifigoalone]

Why do you hate the puzzle piece?

Mostly cause it's associated with Autism Speaks. I'm still learning on why the adult autistic community hates them, but a few reasons:
-they fear monger and make autism sound like the Worst Possible Thing, which just increases stigma and misrepresents our symptoms
-they are "looking for a cure" and the vast majority of us do not want to be cured
-the only possible cure, since autism is a genetic condition, would be eugenics and we've seen what happens when you go there
-I think they also don't use their donations responsibly?

 

[holy999]

diffrence between asperger and autism ? substance/wire

 

[evenifigoalone]

diffrence between asperger and autism ? substance/wire

It's mostly a matter of severity I think.
Autism was changed to "Autism Spectrum Disorder" back in 2013. So other conditions that are/were similar are now included under the spectrum, including Asperger's. Asperger's is the mildest one.

 

[Riven]

Did you have a moment where you were like, wow... I'm 30?

 

[evenifigoalone]

Did you have a moment where you were like, wow... I'm 30?

I'm not quite there yet, will be on the 29th

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Did you have a moment where you were like, wow... I'm 30?

I had my moment when I turned 29. I still remember talking about it in Bible study then. That was 31 years ago, lol.

 

[jasonc]

30, pups that was twenty years ago for me.my wife said to me that isnt old, she was 43, she was most right then.

I had my moment when I turned 29. I still remember talking about it in Bible study then. That was 31 years ago, lol.

you are my age?

 

[Jethro Bodine]

you are my age?

I am 60 and a half. And I don’t know what grade I’m in because they don’t keep track of that for old people.

 

[jasonc]

I am 60 and a half. And I don’t know what grade I’m in because they don’t keep track of that for old people.

lol. ok i was off on my math. im ten years younger. 60 will hit me before i know it.

dad died two years ago at 73.
my fil a few months ago at 89
a friend died at 69.

dad was my age not that long ago , my fil was 66 when i married my wife. time is short and we fools often spend it so unwisely.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

lol. ok i was off on my math. im ten years younger. 60 will hit me before i know it.

dad died two years ago at 73.
my fil a few months ago at 89
a friend died at 69.

dad was my age not that long ago , my fil was 66 when i married my wife. time is short and we fools often spend it so unwisely.

People look at me kind of strange when I explain to them that I only have a few years left. And that I've begun to live my life accordingly. I agree with you that people don't soberly acknowledge the shortness of life and how the end comes up suddenly. My younger brother died at 54. My friend and best man at my wedding died 2 days later than him, also 54 years old. My next oldest brother died a year ago May at 62. My oldest sister died at 65 or 66 (not sure which) two years ago this December. My surviving sister's husband died when he was 50. Mom died at 71. Dad died at 82. Life is short. You get to the end quicker than you think. Make it count people! Send loads of love and service for Christ and the church ahead of you. Be found to have been faithful to what God has entrusted to you.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Oh, and my wife's brother died suddenly when he was about 60.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

lol. ok i was off on my math.

It's usually the first thing to go.

 

[jasonc]

It's usually the first thing to go.

Not for me if I don't rush.
I have busted out algebra on FB and solved it .some calculus as well.

I forget names .not places or events.

 

[Anaphora]

Lot of people don't understand autism. I have asperger's syndrome. Which is under the umbrella of Autism. I have cognitive impairment. Once again. Lot of folks wont understand this. Trying asking 10 people about torret syndrome. Most have no clue. Theirs many disabilities folks don't know or understand. Lot of schools aren't trained for those who have disabilities. I didn't get much out of special education. Although my speech did improve from speech therapist. I don't believe school teachers are equipped for disabled students. A specialist at health center will provide care.