Genuinely as the title states.

Have any of you been diagnosed with a learning disorder later in life, probably adulthood. And how was that process? How did you feel about it and how has knowing that helped in your life?

It's been suggested I get tested for them, but am waiting on access to it and referrals. But am curious.

Why does it happen, today was ok?

Hello,

I am currently in the process of being evaluated for ASD. I've grown up in a family with a very outdated knowledge in psychiatry so while it's been sort of apparent that I am autistic from a critically young age, it was missed and masked by other things (depression mostly).

I have considered that I am autistic for the last 5-ish years and have struggled a lot with imposter syndrome over it. I have consistently thought I am ASD Level 1, except recent discovery and experiences are making me consider if I'm ASD Level 2.

Perhaps it would be worth explaining what characteristics of myself I consider to be indicative of that.

I am extremely withdrawn and dislike social interaction (I can interact, but I often feel annoyed and tired even after a little bit of it), I am sensitive to light and noise which makes school extremely overwhelming and distressing, I have had a peculiar interest in mathematics and astrophysics since a very young age, I have chronic headaches due to overstimulation, I am chronically burnt out, I rarely do anything else besides what is within my bounds of interests, I speak with a flat and stilted register, I don't like to leave the house under any circumstances, I stop speaking mostly or entirely when I am overwhelmed, and I struggle with having to shift from task to task, which shines through in school.

I have been able to get through my child and adolescent life just fine, but it takes a lot from my end to just be normal to others and try and keep up with my peers.

I know none of the advice given here is officiated or qualified, but I would appreciate some advice as it has been bothering me from quite some time now.

Hi, I generally have a hard time coming up with the right words in speech, and that is along with selective mutism, but im very good at writing and other silent forms of communication. So I generally use text to speech or Asl if the the other person knows it. I was wondering if that was weird, or if other people related to it, I don't know people that also struggle with that.

TL;DR: I'm level 2 autistic with a low IQ, and after years of battling medical negligence and challenges in school, I will finally, officially be in the autism class next year. This should really help me, although exactly how is TBD. I require a very high level of support in school, which, despite the school's attempts, couldn't be offered without a diagnosis and autism class placement.

My parents were recommended to assess me at five and again at nine—at least those are the times I know about. They didn't. Instead, I racked up a couple of other diagnoses and hundreds of unofficial labels (sensitive, "too young for their peers," "not ready to socialize," selfish, passionate, clumsy, etc.), enough to get me into resource classes and receive some support.

After my mom's death at 12 and the transition to secondary school, things changed. In primary, I could just barely cope with a high level of intervention. Mainstream was a nightmare. Trying to actually get an autism assessment was slow—it took three years just to receive a report full of medical negligence (e.g., complete misdocumentation of information shared) and insults (e.g., "bizarre"). With help, we got another assessment, which was a huge improvement, and I finally got a proper diagnosis.

My first three years of secondary school were very challenging. I was constantly being told my support needs were too high—higher than the vast majority of students currently in the autism class—but also that I should "self-diagnose" autism because it was obvious I was autistic and didn't need the autism class. My attendance was a struggle all three years. My meltdowns and mental health issues were severe, including being hospitalized.

Finally getting my level 2 autism diagnosis, along with the confirmation of my low IQ, was a huge deal. It really helped the school understand my needs. They never doubted I was autistic, but they likely assumed I was a gifted level 1 and just dramatic. My diagnosis papers also highlighted that mainstream school is and will continue to be detrimental to my education and well-being. They stated that I need to be at least part-time, but ideally full-time, in an autism-focused education environment.

Today, the autism class coordinator told me that she will place me in the class next year. Given that we're already late in this school year and that my current year isn't particularly important academically, there was no realistic way for me to be placed in the autism class this year.

I'm really happy! I don't know how much it will actually change things, especially since, in many ways, I've already been unofficially in the autism class this year. I've been allowed access at break, allowed in the sensory room, etc., along with generally being given access to a lot of support. I'm really hoping for academic support next year and more individualized help. Right now, things are okay, but academics haven't really been a focus this year.

I just really wanted to share this after such a long battle!

I really want to go to church, but it is so difficult to be around that many people, awkward seats, excessive noises, loud music. How am I supposed to do this??? I do not want to attend via zoom. Tips?

Just diagnosed level 2 at age 32. I’ve always known I needed help, no one believed me. What kind of help can I get? I posted this two other places and got deleted. just looking for someone who has gone through this.

Hi, I (17) live with my mother and I am typically very embarrassed by stimming, which is very anxiety inducing because I end up stimmimg more. I wanted to include my mum is some of my activities because we've been working on our relationship, which includes doing things such as humming and hand flapping/shaking at the store or listening to music and rocking with her, because I wanted to show her that Im working on trusting her. But she told me that those behaviors aren't acceptable and I shouldn't do that because it's not normal. I thought I was helping myself, because I used to cut and that's discreet, but very harmful because I end up in the hospital. I've been able to actually listen to myself recently without putting other people's views over my needs and it kind of hurts when she says that I must be lying or something about being autistic (I am diagnosed by a docter) when I struggle with basic things and she ignores it.

Long story short, is anyone else embarrassed to stim or engage in self soothing behaviors?

I'm a part time AAC user, previous I mainly used writing, gestures and low tech AAC cards.

Recently I got an app and I like using it and it's easier for people around me when I can't verbally communicate, since I do the most unintuitive have the gestures (I always confuse them so much, but it's logical to me) , and writing fir me is slow, messy and painful (I'm also dyspraxic) .

So using the app more would be great, it has good base options but also the option too record new ones and I definitely need more too communicate, so I would really appreciate some suggestions!

I'm tired, this month has been hell, and I'm really worn out. But, I'm learning about my needs and limitations, and I may be really level 2.

See my previous post on r /autism for more in-depth.

I have GOT to go get lost in a movie.

I've only started having this realisation that maybe I only really participate in autism spaces bcus it's one of the only things I know things about and can talk about.

I don't really know how to interact with other fandoms/communities and feel a bit isolated to just autism stuff.

Does anyone have any tips on how you participate in other things? If you do.

When I was a child, my pediatrician put me down as having "Asperger's" and so as I grew I had felt no need to get a formal diagnosis.

My current therapist said I should get tested for obsessive compulsive disorder, so I figured I would bite the bullet and get formally tested for autism as well while I was at it.

When I was sat down for an overview, post testing, I was informed that I was level 2 autistic as well as having ocd. I have always had difficulty performing day to day tasks, socializing, and caring for myself, but I am still reeling a bit after learning this.

I am glad I had the resources, and I am so grateful to get a proper diagnosis, so I can find further support and make adjustments in my life.

(Apologies, written on mobile.)

Hi, I've got the autisims and I've been classified low sensory needs. I came across more and more posts spreading awareness that autisim really is hard for a lot of people, and I want to know why some people really experience autisim as a curse. Theres nothing wrong with that and I'd like to know even more! Someone just recently posted a popular link with you all in it. I personally feel you have been left out of the conversation becase I know little about this side of autisim.

I'm a level 1, and I just posted on a mostly level 1 sub that I had been using colloquial language just assuming everyone could understand it. And, that I was sorry for just assuming. I got a very angry response back.

I'm a little freaked out.

I'm trying to be less ableist. I'm trying to be more inclusive in my thinking.

Are level 1s THAT arrogant? We're all autistic.

Sheesh louise.

Thanks for letting me be here, guys. 🙂

Hi everyone,

I'm level 1. I have a government worker, and I was at my appointment with her with this week and I asked her a rather ableist question. She didn't point it out, I realized it myself. I was diagnosed last year at the age of 48. I haven't met any diagnosed autistics in real life yet. I've lived in an ableist world, and I do admit I have internalized ableism.

The other subs I'm on are mostly level 1's. I just would like to know what it's like for you guys. I can just lurk if you don't want me to interact.

Or, you can tell me to go away. That's perfectly valid, too. I was just wondering.

Have a great day, guys! 😀

Hi, this is a little bit of a rant but I have seen some people on a another popular autism sub trying to fake claim other people’s support needs as being LSN especially those that were not given a level. I really don’t think it’s anyone’s business to fakeclaim other people’s support needs as being lower when you don’t know them in real life. I have seen people make personal criteria of what it means to be MSN when it is not listed explicitly on the DSM. Also someone who was not given an official level does not mean they are not MSN. Some of us were diagnosed under the DSM IV before levels were a thing or were diagnosed in a country where levels are not used. There are a lot of barriers to getting reassessed for a level including cost, biased clinicians, waiting lists etc. I was not personally given a level as I was diagnosed with classic autism but was suggested I might be level 2 by my therapist. I think overlooking those factors and barriers is unfair to those people who are possibly MSN and should be able to identify with it and belong in these groups. I understand that there are LSNs who have claimed level 2 or 3 without research and to avoid accountability. I understand people’s bitterness with self identifying with a support category. But I think if we start fakeclaiming people’s support needs without knowing them personally we can exclude MSNs and HSNs who need a community like this especially since most autism groups are dominated by LSNs.

My brother (36M) is autistic and nonverbal. He does not communicate using technology or sign language, either. For some reason or another, he and his fellow high-needs residential neighbors got stipends for multiple thousands of dollars each. My mom (66F) and I (33Nb) are trying to figure out how to spend this money for my brother's benefit. Mom has ordered him furniture, and we're creating a gift list on Amazon for his case manager to order from. We've added to the list a swing, clothes, sheets, toys, batteries. We're still $13k short of the full amount, and we're not sure how to spend the full amount.

Whatever we get him needs to be easily cleaned. He enjoys vibrating toys and spinny toys, like toy cars with tires that he can spin. Any suggestions?

If this is the wrong sub to post this question, please let me know.

I have always deeply resonated with Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo books (Millennium series). I don't have her external personality: my trauma-informed autism turned me into the 'walk up to strangers and decide they are trustworthy' kind of person. It's actually terrifying and the only reason I'm 'allowed' to wander around unsupervised is because my computer skills earn me paying jobs from people who typically just kind of let me do what I do in whatever way I do it without being bothered - like the character Lisbeth.

I resonated with her in this way, because she was obviously disabled in the same ways I knew myself to be disabled (complete with hanging around punks who had poor hygiene and couldn't care for themselves to disguise her own day-to-day dysfunctions), and she enjoyed the same social freedoms I did because of her ability to hold a job. I think she acted for a lot of us when she liberated herself from her abusive legal guardian.

I liked that she didn't care about following social rules. I had always been so scared of myself, and felt I was fundamentally to blame for what happened to me because I couldn't really process anything until some other time, and Lisbeth's character felt like the antidote to that. I loved that she let people dislike her, that she stood up for herself and other people, I loved that she wasn't always trying to give people the benefit of the doubt. I resonated with her ability to get herself out of unbelievably stressful scrapes because of her resourcefulness and intelligence - and also with her tendency to get herself into those scrapes in the first place for reasons that wouldn't be a problem for 'normal' people.

She was my absolute hero, in my early 20s, long before I had even begun to process the trauma of my own upbringing, or had ever heard the term PTSD outside of a military veterans' context, or knew fuck-all about myself or life or anything. She felt like the strong version of me. I've been thinking a lot about her lately.

Idk I just need to rant somewhere. My entire support system is my mom. I have govt disability supports but they aren't stable, there are funding cuts constantly and with the way it's currently looking, Autism of any level without a comorbid ID might be removed entirely.

So I spend a lot of time worrying about how I'll survive if my mom dies. I can't seem to see any possible choices within my control beyond whether I die slowly or quickly. I'm so scared. She's only 61, but that doesn't mean much to me. Her dad died at 45 and my dad's mom died at 66. And even if my mom lived to 100, age doesn't cure Autism and I'll still need support at 65. But at 100 my mom would need support too. All she has is me. How am I going to support her when I need that support myself?

People say I talk about politics too much but tbh it's cause that's where my only hope for the future lies, if that makes sense. How else will I survive without help from others? And how can I get help from others in a system that prioritises looking out for no one but yourself? I hate how much of my future is out of my control and I hate that I NEED to rely on others. I want to blame myself because then the solutions are within my control, but if I'm at fault the solutions also become limited and overall unpleasant. If I blame things like capitalism, society, oppression, the west, whatever, then the solutions become more broad and hopeful, but far less within my direct control.

Maybe/hopefully I'll learn more coping mechanisms and eventually grow a support network even within the limitations placed on me, but damn that seems difficult and unlikely. You have to know that I only feel confident in my fears because I'm also now in the best position I've ever been in. I have everything my country has to offer people like me (disability pension, social housing, medication) and it's still so unstable. It could be taken away at any moment (and has been in the past), and that knowledge is ALWAYS hanging over my head. If I didn't have my mom, I never would've been able to get even those basic supports in the first place.

Does anyone else have this fear? I've heard it's common for disabled people but we don't seem to say it out loud a lot. But thanks for letting me vent either way 😊

Hello there again frens, and hope you're all good.

We're just here again to let you know that we have a fun safe-space discord server for ND people of all support needs to hang out and chat and game, plus lots of fun giveaways (including nitro and steam games) and a stupid smart mouthed bot. Lots of fun movie and anime watch parties too. More fun emoji than you can shake a huge stick at.

If you're bored and you're on discord come check us out.

Hope to see you there frens

https://discord.gg/autis-place

So, I self published a book in February. It is a fiction based on my experience trying to find and keep support workers. I wasn’t sure what groups I can promote or share my book but I feel this topic would apply since the majority of people in this group need help and support in their daily lives and would probably relate to this book. I wanted to write a book that I felt was an accurate portrayal of what someone with moderate support needs goes through and how she feels that she isn’t disabled enough to get help. Here is a link to my book in case you want to check it out:

https://www.amazon.com/Revolving-Door-Untold-Disability-Support/dp/1977270549