Autistics and Self-Discovery/Self-Identification

Some still say self-discovery and self-identification as autistic is wrong or a problem or less, but it just flat-out is not.  Many tests have sub-50% accuracy, many assessors/diagnosticians are locked-into autism as a deficit or series of deficits.

On the contrary.  Medicalisation/pathologization of our way of being is a huge problem.  Every part of the ND/autistic movement embraces self-discovered folk equal with those diagnosed by varying levels of health professional, with varying quality tests, and varying degrees of seeing autism as a bunch of defects to assess to see if sufficient pattern of deficit present.

But here are some of the REAL real problems that swirl around failing to travel merrily down an authentic self-discovery path:

- the vast numbers out there who are drowning and who will never know they are autistic (150,000,000+),

- the vast numbers who know they are autistic... but are drowning in denial,

- the vast numbers who do not identify with their children rightfully, helpfully, lovingly, to save them also from drowning,

- the vast numbers who mask without knowing and will die wearing a societally imposed mask of non-being, their autistic light hidden, their brilliance and goodness drowned.

That's four drownings you might yet dodge, so far.

STEPS TO FULLY PURSUING AUTISTIC SELF-DISCOVERY

1. STRATEGY APPLICABILITY: 

You can continue now to maybe work with perspectives and strategies that make great sense to autistics, in the hope of finding they make just as great sense to you also.

2. PEER RECOGNITION:

You might continue to share peer reflection, peer banter, peer experiences and see great sense in remaining with us all, growing with us all.

3. SELF REFLECTION: 

You can continue to journey and discover in your very own ways that are special and meaningful to you, no matter where it leads, to neurodivergency broadly, or to being autistic more specifically. 

4. READING/LEARNING:

You could treat yourself to a good book such as https://www.amazon.com/Think-Might-Autistic-Diagnosis-Self-Discovery/dp/0989597113 which starts around USD$4.99 (Kindle version, use free downloadable Kindle software on many phones and computers to read it).

5. CHECKLISTING: 

You could meditate your way through Sam Craft's list of less male-biased aspects of being autistic (it's old, so ignore the unfortunate past usage of 'Aspergers'): https://the-art-of-autism.com/females-and-aspergers-a-checklist/

6. PRE-TESTING:

You could take the 45 minute test at rdos DOT net, save your scores and graph carefully.  Re-take the test to look for movement in a month or two.  And again, also looking for movement, direction of movement, with a friend who knows aspects of you better perhaps than even yourself, someone to nudge you responses, embolden your weaker responses perhaps.  Retain score/graph - the comparison matters.

7. ASSOCIATION:

You could join an Autistic women/non-binary group to more specifically hone-in on tell-tale differences you share, seeking out more Eureka! moments that count as well-worn stepping-stones shaped to speed you along: 

https://www.facebook.com/awnnetwork.org

https://awnnetwork.org/

8. COMMENTING & QUESTIONING:

You could post and comment regularly in many autistic spaces, knowing that others have or still share your journeying, and it benefits ... all. https://www.facebook.com/groups/autisticsworldwide will welcome you 🙂

9. UNMASKING:

You could read about masking, it's dangers, the cost, and the process of unmasking here:

Adults:

https://neurodivergentrebel.com/2018/08/10/an-autistic-perspective-takethemaskoff-masking-mental-health-burnout

https://theautisticadvocate.com/2021/02/one-day-they-will-join-us-in-the-sun

https://www.facebook.com/autisticnewsfeed/posts/pfbid02qshLkpDxjpiZukbfD4JJkt4trnoZAeJzHyAeXLCgDDhXrecA5G8MwLpnzRpT5LEFl

Children: https://www.facebook.com/page/980020248675739

10. ASSISTING OTHER ENQUIRERS':

Seriously, you are already in a position to assist others wondering if they are autistic who've not travelled as far as you.  You can assist them in many ways, and you will find yourself at times provoked or challenged by them perhaps, and therefore encouraged to be in a position to focus, clarify, resolve matters for them, and for your own self too.

Very best wishes.