Hey friends, I've put together a bonus video on Patreon covering how I made and used this mind map to outline my 'binder' in advance of my first diagnosis appointment. The video goes deeper into this mind map and it is personal, perhaps a little too much for KZread. So it's on Patreon - and you can download a high resolution PNG in The Scratching Post members discord: www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-all-tiers-103587309 Also; This is SimpleMind.

"now I created this mind-map when I wasn't sure if I was autistic" and I audibly laughed

@Autistic_AF

22 күн бұрын

I see it now! 🤣

I created a mind map - say no more.

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

The mind map was just the start - I find it a helpful way to throw down ideas and thoughts and wiggle them around until they fit where they belong!

@Otura76

27 күн бұрын

😂 thanks

@QwerAsdf-dx4rd

25 күн бұрын

exactly XD

@Kauffy901

24 күн бұрын

Exactly what I was about to say-- the moment you think "Mindmap!" you have your answer.

@NeurodivergentMom

22 күн бұрын

😂😂😂 so true. If you saw my journal and the number of mind maps 😮😊

Autistic AF "I created this mind map....." Proceeds to show a map even the most seasoned london tube driver would have nightmares about. Me "Yep, your autistic lol" I was 49 years old when I discovered I was autistic (self diagnosed), when I revealed this to my friends pratically all of them were amazed that I didn't already know this 🤣 yes I'd known I'd always been different to everyone else, I'd just put it down to having a quirky personality.

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

Your comment made me laugh so much I nearly spat my tea out everywhere. Yes - it's funny how people around us can see things that we might miss. Are any of them neurodivergent too?

@VirtualTrucker74

28 күн бұрын

@@Autistic_AF Nope, at least as far as I know they aren't, although I do have to force myself to stop secretly analysing them though. I've been doing so much research recently that even my neighbours cat is showing traits lol.

@tc4327

28 күн бұрын

omg--i, literally, was just commenting on the autistic nature of his mind map for self diagnosis. So true!

@thisnthat42

28 күн бұрын

LOL, I read the video title and saw the thumbnail and I'm no doctor but I feel like the signs may be there. ;)

@ggad1899

28 күн бұрын

ADHD do things like the map, too.

"There's something here that isn't a BROKEN thing. It's a different thing." Spot on.

@Autistic_AF

26 күн бұрын

Thank you, EsmereldaPea 🧡

That map! I wrote a 16 page essay (including a table of contents and a page of sources) about my traits and examples from my life. I sorted them by age and type. I took the AQ, CAT-Q, RAADS-R and listened to hours of medical panels about autism as well as autistic people on social media. I needed the official diagnosis because of all the aggression and gaslighting I received as soon as I tried talking about it to ANYONE. I can't understand why people are so ignorant about topics they aren't educated about. Especially, the gatekeeping done by other auDHD women was puzzling to me. And by medical professionals who weren't experts on autism.

@Autistic_AF

24 күн бұрын

🧡

@jaymondo

10 күн бұрын

You're so not alone, I hope that things change, but my daughter is going through this also.

@withyoctopus

10 күн бұрын

@@jaymondo Yes, it did. My diagnosis made it possible for me to talk about my auDHD. Therefore it's easier to communicate about differences. Of course, not everyone is open to it. Some people will be discriminatory without admitting it to themselves. But it's still better.

Just after I was formally diagnosed, I asked for and got a referral to a counselor to help me better understand possible ramifications, possible issues, possible ameliorations, etc. That counselor's first statement was "You know, you might just be introverted." I figured I was much better off doing my own research rather than trying to find a professional who might be helpful. I'm sure they exist, but...

@mr_cupcakes1808

28 күн бұрын

damn that's a very bad counselor... I'd just go "you do know I'm formally diagnosed, right?" and walk away not everyone is ready to deal with autism, some people are even less ready than most (that's why I'm postponing a formal investigation) sorry for your experience

@VirtualTrucker74

28 күн бұрын

This is the very reason I'm not currently chasing an official diagnosis. The fact that these so-called professionals practically make up their minds on less than 30 seconds of interactions with you.

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

Hey Fred, I'm so sorry that you didn't get a neuro-affirmative therapist - especially following a formal diagnosis. They are out there, but in relatively short supply -Mike

@fredflintstone904

28 күн бұрын

@@Autistic_AF - I wasn't surprised. I've had so many professionals say things like "You can't be ADD, you are a programmer" or "You are too well functioning to have ADD" I knew it would be worse when I brought up autism instead of ADD. I really liked the psychiatrist who asked me if I really wanted to be treated for my ADD because I might get depressed when I found out how screwed up my life was.

@karenholmes6565

28 күн бұрын

I sought a diagnosis through an agency that helps people with developmental disorders. They paid for my assessment. Part of why I went that route is that they know all of the shortcuts and can deal with the paperwork around getting services. I don't drive, for example. You might be able to access more support if there is such an organization where you live.

Every autistic person who self-daignosed first: "Here's the entire book I made to figure out if I'm autistic."

When they have those additional notes about things that indicate autism, like "person often asks for clarification when filling out an AQ questionnaire," they should add "person came into the office with a colour-coded mind map" to it

@oiytd5wugho

28 күн бұрын

3:20 oof, you'd be surprised. You basically had to play a perfect persona they expect in order to be "allowed" to be trans, back when I had my "assessments" (you still have to in most places.) It's really hard for autistic people, because your access to resources can depend on your ability to mask. Being gay is no longer a mental illness, but "you should have that confirmed by a shrink" wasn't an uncommon rebuttal in the olden days when someone came out as gay

@oiytd5wugho

28 күн бұрын

Also, I'm stealing your mind map ideas. I was gonna just have notes but this might be more convincing since I might write too concisely for some people

@woodookitty

25 күн бұрын

are you reading directly from my psych report LOL

@Autistic_AF

24 күн бұрын

😂

@Autistic_AF

24 күн бұрын

Take from whatever you need - and thank you for sharing your own experiences; it’s an interesting crossover between trans and autism assessments.

I didn't have a period of "Self-diagnosis" before I was handed a piece of paper telling me I was autistic, and in a way I'm jealous of those who had that period of self-discovery, because it's something that would have been profoundly useful in my situation.

@Autistic_AF

29 күн бұрын

That's actually unusual dude. You've got plenty of time for self-discovery; I don't think this period ever really ends once it's started. It's like a fire, or a flood, or... cleaning Hydra's litter tray. It never ends.

@Otura76

29 күн бұрын

I am sorry to hear that it was just handed to you that way.

@tjzambonischwartz

29 күн бұрын

@@Otura76it's a tad more complicated than that (suspicions from family members, gaslighting from medical professionals, all sorts of twists on the road getting there) but that's the general gist. I'll probably make a video about it at some point. It's a tragedy of errors.

@Visible.Friend

28 күн бұрын

TJ, was a raw deal. Sorry you went thru that.

@DeviRuto

28 күн бұрын

@@Autistic_AF I was actually surprised by my diagnosis as well. I always thought I was just naturally obnoxious, my therapist just saw the signs and suggested the diagnosis.

I have autism, but my ADHD tends to mask it, so I was told 'you're borderline' instead of getting an autism diagnosis. Also, half of anyone with autism or ADHD have both. My ADHD stinks, but my autism is what really hurts my relationships.

@MsHazelie

24 күн бұрын

Same..I was told I have too good of eye contact and back and forth in conversation to have autism by the diagnostician. She diagnosed me with ADHD innatenive type with avoidant traits and somaticazation. This was after diagnosing my son with Autism. After extensive research and self-examination, I have self diagnosed as AudHD. I was labeled "gifted" in school and did test with a high IQ. I also, I'm certain, have CPTSD from both childhood trauma and two abusive long term relationships. My Mother was diagnosed bipolar and institutionalized every year or so during my childhood. She spent years in therapy and on various medications and is still the same, only better because due to her age, financial and physical limitations, she rarely leaves her house anymore and can tune her environment to suit her. I have always been afraid of acting like her so I hyper focused on appearing as even-keeled, "normal", and functional as possible at all times-in public. And thought of myself as quite the introvert with possible social anxiety since peopling wore me out so much. But now I realize, it's the overwhelm of information and the exhaustion of masking that drains me so much when around people.

@colbyboucher6391

12 күн бұрын

I'm curious, do you think you were more obviously autistic when you were quite young? Because I've been wonderif if I've got ADHD recently but when I was a kid I was pretty clasically autistic.

Mike, Your MIndMap is as big as your heart. Yup, when you give your doctor a massive binder of research, it's a tad obvious what kind of brain you have. I love your videos, you can see all the work you put into each topic. You have a great way of putting things together for us to easily digest. hUgz, Lee

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

Thank you, Lee. Your support means a lot to me. -Mike

Audibly laughed when i saw the title and thumbnail, then watched to take notes on optimal mind mapping. Your design is equally beautiful and functional btw im impressed

@Autistic_AF

11 күн бұрын

Awh thank you!! ☺️ 🧡

I never comment but I have decided to today just to say thank you for diving 🐠into such interesting topics around autism which such great care and compassion. Your communication style has help me process my own journey. Thank you and keep up the good work 🐱

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

Hey Amber, thank YOU so much for such a lovely comment. You're going to make me cry, seriously! I'm so, so pleased that I've been able to help you with your self-discovery. It's such an honour. Thank you. -Mike

I went to google and typed in "symptoms of autism" I have 100% of them as an adult, teenager and child. Self diagnosis complete. The health care system has no way to profit from autism.

I have just got my diagnosis today, NOT after self-diagnosis, and it's all been quite a shock. After 30 years in mental health services, including years being detained in secure hospitals, a new care coordinator told me a couple of months ago she thought I might be autistic. The diagnosis has been confirmed today - as well as removing my personality disorder diagnosis. Still in shock. I think self-identification first would probably have made this a gentler process, but on the other hand I'm glad I didn't have to wait a long time on a waiting list, or have to collate all the information together for someone to diagnose me.

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

CONGRATULATIONS, Daffodil. On multiple fronts. You're not alone. Do something nice for yourself. -Mike

@karenholmes6565

28 күн бұрын

I wish I had that happen to me 20 yrs ago. I decided to quit therapy because it wasn't helpful. I am so happy for you! My niece has a bunch of mental health diagnoses. I told her she should tell them about my autism because I feel she should be evaluated. Women often get the wrong diagnosis

@saintessa

28 күн бұрын

Yeah, I'm concerned for my mother who's 60. I was diagnosed adhd as an adult - mums seeing a lot of those traits in herself but also autism. But there is the confronting thoughts of "how much of this makes one asd/I have SOME of the traits/I wouldn't tell anyone/what would the benefit of diagnosis be?"

@withyoctopus

24 күн бұрын

For a diagnosis of autism, you need at least one trait of each category (social, sensory, repetitive) in each part of your life. (toddlerhood, school, university, early adult, later adult... as much as you can remember). That's actually enough and really easy to collect when you're autistic. I had the same thoughts of "is it enough?" before I knew that.

@withyoctopus

24 күн бұрын

My great-uncle had a similar experience. But I didn't think he was ever diagnosed. He lived and died in a home for the criminally insane. I have only seen him once. He very much looked like an auDHD person. But noone seemed to be interested in diagnosing him.

That part about the auristic brain giving equal weight to all the different sights and sounds at a busy train station - how on earth could a brain NOT do it that way?? T_T

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

I KNOW!! Rebekah - I thought everyone was the same, but just “better” at it than me. Like they were newer computers and I was an older model struggling to draw the graphics on the screen fast enough to be usable.

@karenholmes6565

28 күн бұрын

I do something a bit different. I get tunnel vision. I ignore almost everything around me except what I am focusing on. My way of filtering things is to just ignore everything. That's why I get startled so easily.

@moonyfruit

16 күн бұрын

​@karenholmes6565 I do this as well as have the equal weight, it depends on so much which one it is. Though, I also suspect I am autistic with ADHD.

I haven't been formally diagnosed but I realized that a lot of my life/experiences would make a hell of a lot more sense if i was autistic after I got with my current fiance. He was diagnosed with Aspergers back when it was kind of a separate thing from autism. Like, i was telling him about how I can't stand bright lights, specific noises and textures, hating getting touched unexpectedly or by someone i don't know well enough etc and he was like, oh I have autism too. I was like "...wait what?"😂

That mindmap is amazing. Yesterday, I worked on revising my own document, and I decided to change the format to a style of communication that is much better for me - paragraphs and narratives. I feel like many of us who are late-diagnosed go through a process of self-expression and self-discovery and it is fascinating to me how we each choose to document it in our own unique ways. I've also saved screenshots and quotes I might try go incorporate into the doc one day. Thanks for inspiring me to keep adding to it and validating my self-reflection.

@Kamishi845

28 күн бұрын

I was thinking the same thing. I pretty much formatted my document like a narrative story broken up into the two core DSM components. I can't think visual in this way, it's one areas I'm extremely weak in. It's one reason I hate going to the capitol because it also uses a subway system overlapped with intercity train commuting and bus routes, and I hate trying to make sense of where to go there. But I think I'm at least a half-decent writer/storyteller when it comes to text, I know how to make a text flow, be easy to read and express emotion well, so that's what I stuck with.

At 70, self diagnosis is both liberating, validating, and something to work with, or allow myself to work less.... and very sad... because I missed out on so much... but then, doesn't anyone, neurotypical, or neurodivergent, have some mourning to do... at 70.

@coreblaster6809

28 күн бұрын

❤️

@jenny_k

28 күн бұрын

Going through the same process at 74, I sympathise. It's a confused mixture of emotions.

@amarinegripond1915

28 күн бұрын

@@jenny_k Thank you so much... I was feeling a bit unique here...

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

🧡

@Jen-CelticWarrior

19 күн бұрын

Yes! It helped to explain so much about me and my life.

The part that sucks with diagnosis, is that so many ‘official’ places require it to treat you properly. Without it they have zero patience or understanding, the moment you have the diagnosis THEN they go “Oh okay” and are suddenly patient or give you space to do what you have to to manage your condition. Most of us just really want to know the ‘Why’ we do stuff. Understand our roots so we can properly handle them how we need to. So much focus on diagnosis, leaves little room to focus on the really important bits of it. Why we do stuff, how we do it, and what can we do to help manage ourselves to have a healthy life?

@Autistic_AF

12 күн бұрын

Why, how and what - Exactly! 🧡☺️

@Flopsi80

5 күн бұрын

We ourselves have to understand the why, how and what. Because we know ourselves best.

Most of this is exactly my experience. I'm "introverted" until I'm around people who accept me (or I Believe they accept me). Otherwise I'm by myself learning about something or reading or daydreaming so I'm hopefully off bullies radar. Fawning is suuuuch a big thing too.

For me the time of self diagnosis and research was a vital part of my acceptance journey. I wouldn't have gone for formal diagnosis without it. I'm still on the journey and keep discovering more about the colours of my spectrum...

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

Wendy, always a pleasure to see you! Yes, me too. I was contemplating - and it was around this time that I put myself on a waiting list. While on the list I went even deeper - more details will be shared in the Autisticat Scratching Post community, it’s a bit too private for general KZread! -Mike

Self-diagnosed at 42! So many things I struggled (and struggle) make sense now. So liberating, and yes, a bit sad too, for half of life i couldn’t understand myself or felt ashamed why i am so not like normal people.

My son was just diagnosed, and that process really opened my eyes... I do alot of the things he does.. 😅

You need a professional to tell you what you know, but not enough professionals are available who know ANYTHING about autism, especially when you are 50, and the professionals you have found didn’t even realize that adults can have autism. That’s my experience.

@papercrowpress

18 күн бұрын

Omg yes

@Touay.

4 күн бұрын

@towzone indeed. the breadth and depth of ignorance and incompetence in the MH community wrt to autism is staggering.

@Elizabeth-if7pw

Күн бұрын

From what I've read online there is no money to be made with adult autism diagnosis. Most of the therapies and things run their course when people are children. I've been trying for years to get my son diagnosed and he's super smart so they dont really seem to care.

I honestly want an official diagnosis just to hopefully be taken seriously by family members. I'm afraid they just wouldn't believe me.

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

I see you. This was part of my decision making, also.

@mellyo7262

25 күн бұрын

I hear you, I feel the same way…

@resourcedragon

19 күн бұрын

I want an official diagnosis because I would like more formal workplace accommodation and an automatic medical certificate if I'm asked to do jury duty. The way jury duty works where I live is that a bunch of people is paneled every 6 weeks or so. Then they get assigned to a group, A, B or C (or similar). You don't find out until comparatively late at night whether your group is required the next day. Even if your group is required, you don't know if you will be selected for that day's jury. So if you need routine, or at the very least, some warning, this is _really_ stressful. And if you live alone and you have pets to care for, that is an added stress: if the jury is still deliberating at the end of the day then they like to put them in an hotel, rather than let them go home and so I am stressing about who is going to feed my cats. Even without pets there's the stress of not knowing where you are going to be that evening, what you are going to wear the next day, etc, etc.

I received my diagnosis yesterday. I am officially autistic! I walked into the neurological psychologist's office completely allistic and I emerged a bona fide autistic person! These people who do not believe in self diagnosis are really telling on themselves. I think it is a bit of ableism if I am going to be perfectly honest. It is giving me the vibes of those who question who uses the handicapped parking spaces. As if you can tell by looking at someone if they are disabled. There are plenty of disabilities that cannot be seen or perceived without special tools and skillsets, and the first step in perceiving them is to ask someone what their symptoms are. I wonder if these people go through life completely oblivious to their own state of being. Seeking diagnosis for autism is a bit like seeking a diagnosis for a cold. It can be verified by a doctor but once it is discovered there is little they're gonna do for you other than tell you how to relieve your symptoms. Most of us do not run to the doctor when we get a stuffy nose. For those who might think self diagnosis is problematic, especially other autistic people, unless you were spotted as a kid most of us had to self diagnose before we sought official diagnosis. I read that self diagnosis seems to be hugely accurate if we look at the numbers of people who ask to be diagnosed. I have read in different places it is between 80 and 90%. I haven't seen self diagnosed people talking over diagnosed autistic folks. When I was self diagnosed I was just seeking ways to make my life easier. Why would that be problematic for anyone?

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

Karen - CONGRATULATIONS 🎉🎉 ONE OF US* :-) *Although you always were.

Very thorough, thank you! Your map is much cleaner than my random scribbles in a mini notebook. Tho it’s perfect for all those random times I go, “yea that felt autistic of me - add it to the list.”

@Autistic_AF

25 күн бұрын

Thank you, Alyssa. I'm glad it was helpful :-)

Australia and NZ are those two countries, not sure about the rest of the world. Here in Oz it was the process of supporting my offspring that eventually led me to realising that I too was Autistic- I knew it for my _offspring_ , I just didn’t realise it for myself because of the sheer amount of masking parenting required of me. Ironically, I’m actually the first in the family to be formally diagnosed, which only happened last year at 58- I’m still working through what it all means; years of struggle framed in a different lens now. Funnily enough, it was supporting my trans and nonbinary offspring that led me to realising that I too, as an agender individual, am trans…. 😂

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

Congratulations, Ninsídhe - and you are a fantastic parent for supporting your family. I just need to say that. 🧡

@oiytd5wugho

28 күн бұрын

question: How do they find out about your diagnoses? My country doesn't have mandatory centralized health records and you can't demand doctors' notes saying you *don't* have every single possible disability, it's just not physically possible to do so. So, how do they make sure someone isn't just lying?

Thank you so much for being so supportive.

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

Thank you, Lisa for your kind words. You are the kindest! 🧡

Creating the mind map *should be* the diagnosis! 🤣 It's hard if you can't afford a full diagnosis. It feels like my brain is wired to need one to say that I'm autistic😔 It feels like if I don't have a formal diagnosis workplaces won't take my accommodations seriously 😔 It feels like I'm stuck in limbo it's so frustrating 😠 Great vid! Thank you!

@Autistic_AF

27 күн бұрын

Hey PossumMedic - it really is difficult - and expensive, and slow. You are not alone. 🧡

@PossumMedic

26 күн бұрын

@@Autistic_AF ❤

"Read about topics such as volcanoes, meteorology, and transport systems." I did a project about volcanoes in 4th grade and just finished reading a book about hurricanes three hours ago. I feel seen. 😊

@Catlily5

17 күн бұрын

I loved earth science in 8th grade especially volcanos.

@clicheguevara5282

10 күн бұрын

I was obsessed with volcanoes as a kid and eventually moved to the Big Island of Hawaii, where we have several. I didn't get diagnosed for another ten years after that though. My attraction to Hawaii was one of many things that suddenly made a lot of sense. Lol

@ewestner

10 күн бұрын

​@clicheguevara5282 Man, I want to go to Hawaii sooooooo badly! Hopefully I'll get there soon!

@clicheguevara5282

9 күн бұрын

@@ewestner I really hope you can!! It’s a magical place even without the volcano, but seeing that lava is just something else. Every time I go to Kilauea, it’s an intense experience. The Big Island is also very “autistic friendly” because it’s huge and sparsely populated. It’s not overstimulating and crowded like Honolulu. The Big Island has the most diverse environment on earth. We have jungles, deserts, rainforests, deciduous forests, tropical beaches, volcanoes, and snow capped mountains. You can literally go snowboarding and surfing in the same afternoon. It’s a really fascinating place. You’d love it!

I didn't realize it then but when I first met the father of my 9yr old student, he expressed worries for his son, since the father diagnosed late as an adult. I rly dread talking to most parents but I still remember how I light up chatting with him (mostly introversion as a disadvantage in a classroon with other extroverted kids, noises, etc). Even when I shared the encounter with a close colleague, they didn't seem as excited as I was. I knew all bout ADHD then, but barely on autism, till later the same year I experienced the worst burnout.

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

We seem to have a propensity to find one another; connection runs much more smoothly between neurodivergents than across the ND-NT border. -Mike

I self diagnosed my ADHD before I got the diagnose. And I of course I was right. I never took meds for it because I have no reason to do this. I have better ways to cope and train myself. I self diagnosed my ASD 6 months ago. In Germany you have to wait 4 years to get an appointment if you don't pay for the diagnostic in private. So of course there is no need to wait until you have a diagnose to work with this knowledge and make your life better with knowing it. I am an academic who has a special interest in mental health and psychology. So for me it's normal to read scientific papers and to do professional research. I even know a lot of things better than the so called specialists in psychology. I don't need their absolution to know what is best for me.

i am self diagnosed... i looked into a professional assessment a couple of times but the prices quoted me for the evaluations were way out of my budget. You have a nice way of describing and articulating things. Glad to have discovered your channel. I think your mind map is cool!

Whenever I see someone else's mind map, I must investigate it to compare it to my own mind map.

I would absolutely show up for a video about what to expect when seeking diagnosis as an adult (I am on a waiting list) !!

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

Okay! Definitely.

What an amazing piece of work. Mind maps weren't a thing when I was at school and I was only introduced to the concept during my doctorate. I never really gelled with them though, I still do lists!

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

Thank you!

To me, this is such a generous and compassionate gift...thank you! I keep taking screenshots of the various sections, in case I need to explain things to a family member or two in the future. The MindMap is beautiful...unfortunately I have to watch the last 13 minutes later because I urgently need to make myself a protein snack right now. 😂

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

I hope your protein snack was good! It was vulnerable to show this eeek but it’s helpful, I’m sure - I hope it helps you with your own thoughts and explanations. -Mike

I have this drive and need to know me and my struggles. I had a ADHD triage assessment that was very dismissive and kept pointing me to autism. I got a triage appointment for autism and resulted in being further dismissed because I have existing conditions and too many ACE's. I'm now looking to get help with my ACE's but a therapist suggested I may have PDA. I'm tired of trying to fight for my self and seeking support. Coming up against apathetic people who don't want to listen. At the moment when relevant I state "I have symptoms consistent with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD and Autism" because I only have a diagnosis of half of those conditions. Neurodiverse services and support of adults needs improving significantly in the UK .

The fact that you made a mind map should in and of itself be an indicator ;)

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

😅

I love this map so much reminds me of the research papers we used to write in school

Would love to hear more about your experience with fawning and mimicry/camouflaging if they overlap for you (at least for me I camouflage as a way to people-please). It's one of the areas I struggle with the most in life.

Early on, when you said it's like going through a 2nd puberty, that's the perfect descriptor. A few months ago, I hit my breaking point. I can't say whether it was something specific or not, but I'd had enough, and I not only wanted to know why I am the way I am, but how to cope better. I've struggled my entire life with everything. Literally everything. I'm a woman that's 33 years old and is tired of being tired. One of the things prompting me to look into autism and ADHD (I suspect I have both) was that, about 2 years ago, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Throughout my life, and not having access to proper mental healthcare, I've related a decent amount to mental conditions like bipolar, BPD, etc., but there was always a lot to those conditions that I just didn't relate to. I know I deal with anxiety and depression. Though I've only been formally diagnosed with depression. I never looked into autism or ADHD because, well, I couldn't possibly be either, right? I took one self-assessment and I scored in the middle of the autistic range. 38/50 on the AQ. I went back, thinking "maybe I just made some of my answers too extreme," and took it again trying to normalize some of my answers. 41/50 on the AQ. This incorrect thought that I'd thought I was normalizing my answers prompted me to take others. 144 on the Cat-Q. 161 on the Raads-R. 27 on the EQ. So I began watching and listening to other autistic and ADHD creators. I've never felt so not alone. The next closest time I've ever felt not alone, was when I was feeling very alone about my fibromyalgia pain, so I looked up and found a teacher that Vlogs about her fibro. Hearing someone else describe the exact pain I feel, how I feel it... that's the only other time in my life I've not felt hopelessly alone. Now, I've started following tips and suggestions from other autistic and ADHD creators, and in just those few short months I've been seeing a difference in myself. In how I cope. It really does kind of feel like that whole turn in life. Even without an official diagnosis.

@NotInMYName_AntiZionistJew

16 күн бұрын

I definitely relate to that. I usually score, having a moderate to strong chance of autistic but I definitely have ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and dysgraphia as well.

I self-dxed as autistic a year ago today. 3 days ago I was formally dxed as both autistic and adhd.

making my adhd self diagnosis mindmap as we speak

This was great, thanks for sharing your experiences. I'm so glad you mentioned smells and lights because they seem to be talked about less. For the longest time I was convinced I couldn't be autistic because my sensory profile doesn't match what I usually see online. I know it's a spectrum, but seeing others share similarities helps me with self acceptance. And I appreciate you saying autism =|= introversion. I'm an ambivert, and I do enjoy socializing quite a bit when it's related to my special interests.

I made a wakallet collection of all the different test I took and traits I have. A mind map sounds like a fun thing to do too!

Coming from a scientific background I was careful on research so that the assessment wasn’t biased. In particular keeping away from anything around the tests they do during the assessment. I was glad I did as a lot of it feels like pattern matching which led me doubt myself until they did the tests. It blew my mind when I did them and then saw my wife do them who attended with me. I waited two years for my NHS assessment, in my 50s and got my answer end March. It explained so much in my life.

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

Thanks Andy, I do believe it’s important to be aware of cognitive biases; but this entire exploration is unfortunately prone to them - and that’s where a professional opinion can help - but unfortunately here are issues there too, so we have to do the best that we can with what we have. Thanks. Andy ☺️

@andymiles5156

28 күн бұрын

It is, and you have to be aware of the traits to know what to highlight at the assessment, or the 18 page word document I handed them 😂 I initially became aware through the assessment of a family member. Fortunately my clinical psychologist assessor was also a late diagnosed autistic and couldn’t have been better. I really like the channel and your presentation style. Being in IT myself (unfortunately not self employed), I would love to see a video on how you cope with the need to do stakeholder management and win business as a self employed person. Often that can heavily revolve around networking.

@Autistic_AF

22 күн бұрын

Thank you, Andy. I appreciate your feedback - and sharing your own thoughts. Yes, business development… I thought that I could hide and code all day but boy, was I wrong. I’ve added your suggestion to my todo list, thank you!

one of the GPs in a long series of them refused to refer me to a specialist because he thought that at my stage in life a diagnosis would be unhelpful and if i wasn't diagnosed in childhood then i'm barking up the wrong tree anyway (i've never understood this pun but that's by the by). two years later i was subjected to ten months of continuous ableist abuse from a 'support' worker who had a so called duty of care towards me. when people don't follow my clear and precise instructions it creates serious problems for me and i can never get this through to anyone. anyway with my moaning over i wanted to say that this is an impressive piece of work and is obviously going to be of great use to anyone who studies it

For myself I can say: I want to know for so many different reasons. The human mind is an interesting topic to begin with. Understanding more about it helps preventing burnouts and other negative aspects of life. Knowledge is power. In this case it's the power to be at peace and happy in life.

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

YES. Understanding myself - I haven't burned out, shut down, or otherwise, since. In nearly a whole year. It DOES make such a difference. -Mike

Light touch drives me insane!! It feels me with a sense of rage and disgust that just doesn’t seem rational, yet I never thought about it too hard until I finally got into my first relationship in my late 20’s.

@Autistic_AF

16 күн бұрын

My skin is itchy just thinking about it!

I wrote I self diagnosed before getting a formal assessmemt. I did all the validated scales I could find. I also wrote out lists of indicators and contraindicators. My self assessment was MUCH more involved than my official diagnosis.

@Autistic_AF

12 күн бұрын

Oh gosh yes. An official autism diagnosis can be conducted in around half a day. Self identification typically takes a lot longer than this!

Kia ora Mike. I like the idea of a mindmap; not because it would be useful for me (I'm blind and such a thing would be about as useful as a computer mouse) but because the sighted assessor, and also my Therapist who happens to be autistic and was the one who first raised this possibility, might find it helpful. Self-awareness opens up a whole new vista of learning about one's fellow human being as wellas the self. Your content is thorough, listenable and very helpful. Ngā mihi nui.

@Autistic_AF

24 күн бұрын

Thank you. I’m sorry to hear about your blindness - I am glad your therapist has been helpful. Neuro-affirming therapists are hard to find. I appreciate your kind comments. Take care, Kia Ora. -Mike

This video was super reassuring! It actually inspired me to create a mind map of my own traits. Thank you ☺

the way I self-diagnosed myself is I had talked to more and more people that were autistic and diagnosed, and that helped me see that they are my best friends now with bottom up thinking and detailed honesty shared between us

Now I need to do a mind map first i was going to produce a synthesis of autism but this form THIS IS my solution

Whatever you used to make that mindmap, looks so mesmerizing and calming and helpful to me, I feel at ease just looking at it. I am still struggling to find ways to organize things. Always found colors to be very helpful, and a post-it style. So for whatever project I start, I always start by finding the perfect tool to visualize my thoughts. And visualizing has always been a big part of my struggles, because I didn't know I needed it. This insight into your mindmap was really interesting and fascinating and resonated with me on so many levels, it was satisfying to watch.

@Autistic_AF

16 күн бұрын

Thank you ☺️

Doh! I didn't think to include fluorescent lights in my list of sensory conflicts. Back when I worked in offices, the buzz and ugly light of fluorescent bulbs messed irritated me and I often had headaches. However, it was also a time when smoking was very common. At my first office job, smoking was technically allowed only in the large break room and outdoors, but there was only one door between my room and the break room; as a result, I averaged two migraines per week. Cigarette smoke, a subclass of roses, numerous other floral components, detergents and other cleaning agents, and kinds of other chemicals that felt intrusive in my sinuses and lungs caused me headaches, fatigue, and thus angst and sometimes bitterness for the careless assault. I'm seldom around cigarette smoke or fluorescent bulbs nowadays, so I only get a couple of migraines per year. Then again, I do get very pissy about the potent scents my housemates enjoy, and their cavalier attitudes about them. They're selling the house and all four of us are parting ways, so that's at the top of the list of things I will not miss. Speaking of moving, I'm going to have to revisit this video at another time to finish and rewatch, because I have more pressing issues at the moment. I self-diagnosed about 4 years ago after a few years of my own research, following about a decade of wondering about Asperger's (once I'd heard of it), and two or three decades before that of knowing about autism but put off by media portrayals that always seemed a poor match or patently wrong. Yesterday was my last session of formal autism assessment; and I THINK he basically told me he was giving me an ASD diagnosis while tweaking my ADHD and PTSD diagnoses, and possibly adding some OCD and others. Hooray on the ASD being official, but I would have preferred to REDUCE the list of diagnoses rather than added. I'll receive the report in a week or so. Meanwhile, I'm faced with homelessness and looking for a car, since the odds of finding housing here on my SSDI (and no Housing Choice/Section 8 voucher) is looking even more painfully slim than I had already feared. Cheapest rooms I've identified cost 150% of my income.

Lol you did all that😂 reminds me of when i did a big math equation. It was out of nowhere too! I was thinking and then i got the pencil and went crazy.

@Autistic_AF

19 күн бұрын

Yep and at a time when I didn’t tell anyone what I was thinking.

"Kept notebooks on military equipment(!) and vehicles" and "Obsession with computers" made me smile. I merged those things together in writing a database application on my Acorn Electron and filling it with details of Russian military aircraft 😅

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

Archimedes A3000 here after a BBC Micro B (The Electron was at school though!), but only around first Gulf War. I was born in Rinteln on a British Military Base - so I got very obsessive over all the various pamphlets and memos. I'm a Cold War nerd. Sounds like we'd have been friends at school :-)

@_xone

27 күн бұрын

@@Autistic_AF Ah, interesting! I grew up near the Woodbridge and Bentwaters USAF bases (part of which is now the Bentwaters Cold War Museum), I guess military aircraft as a special interest was an inevitability 😂 Coincidentally, I bought my Electron second-hand from my friend when they got an A3000! I am certain we would have been childhood friends 😁

@Autistic_AF

22 күн бұрын

I don’t know the names of those (I could look them up!) - but I’ve lived in Rinteln, Hannover, briefly Hildesheim - so mostly in the north-ish! But yes we probably would have been childhood friends! Haha.

I like the language "self identified" and "confirmed"

I've never heard about mind maps before but the second you put yours up on screen I instantly just... *knew* what it was and that it's exactly what I've unknowingly been trying to figure out how to put together. I have 64 pages (+counting) of handwritten notes and journalling in a binder documenting why I believe myself to be autistic and which I bring with me to my 2x a month sessions with my therapist & to my 4x a year psychiatrist appointments (on Disability "for bipolar II" - I don't dispute that diagnosis at all but I'm *also* autistic). I keep a Table of Contents for the binder as I add new conclusions and memories, because all that documentation is useless at my appointments if I can't easily put my finger on where I've noted something that I might need to refer to re: good wording/useful framing etc... everything carefully secured with extra binder reinforcement rings on the pages, and the Table of Contents and other important reference material safely secured in my favourite page protectors (I order a new box of them every time it looks like I'm getting down to my last 15-ish; I have 10 years of keeping binders of vegetable breeding/gardening/ecology notes that are phenomenally important to me plus it was my preferred method of working with my character sheet for playing D&D). The binder is necessary for me as... like, a running list; I think of something, I jump up, I flip to the last thing I wrote, I add what I've just thought of, then I note the topic and its page number in the Table of Contents. But it hasn't been adequate for dealing with my appointments. I was sure the Table of Contents would fix the problem. But I try to talk about something, and I get interrupted or distracted or derailed part way through, and before I can finish explaining WHY this plays into why I'm autistic, I've been moved on to a different topic the therapist/psychiatrist wants us to talk about instead (and I'm terrible at confrontations/forcing an issue... me trying to talk about whatever it is IS already me trying to force the issue). It's the interconnectedness of it all, and how each element plays into and amplifies other elements, that I can't seem to get at with them. But I haven't found a way of explaining that to them because they move us on to a new topic before I can explain how it's connected to other things. I think if I synthesize the contents of my binder into a mind map, it could help. Obviously the situation is that neither believes that I'm autistic (psychiatrist told me I couldn't be autistic because I've had friends/been married, got excellent grades, and played in orchestra/sang in choir in school; the therapist is much more willing to let me explore the idea but I think she thinks it's not the best use of our sessions). I don't really expect to convince my psychiatrist, but I don't worry too much about it so long as we don't come to a point where he thinks I need to increase the dose of my mood stabilizer to deal with bits of my life that I now know are my *autistic* self having problems interacting with life/the non-autistic world. The therapist, I think will start to see what I'm on about, if I can more usefully explain the web of interconnection. And she's far more important in my day to day ability to navigate life. Anyway, thank you for sharing this!!! Edit: when my psychiatrist tells me I can't be autistic because I got good grades in school/had friends/played French horn etc, I call that "using my mask against me."

@Autistic_AF

12 күн бұрын

Thank you, Rebecca! We do seem to go above and beyond when researching and thinking, don’t we? 🧡

@rebeccaburnell9319

12 күн бұрын

@@Autistic_AF ha, yes, definitely! 🙃

Thank you so much for making this video. It's such an important topic right now. I have a 140 IQ, my "special interest" is research, I'm painfully self aware, and I've been very interested in psychology since childhood. ...so I was more than capable of diagnosing myself. I'm honestly just embarrassed that it took so long. Lol I was told so many times as a kid that I couldn't be autistic. I guess I just eventually believed it. (Turns out I was just really good at masking and doctors didn't even know what masking was) I did about two years of *heavy* daily research before officially deciding that I was autistic (because I also have C-PTSD, which is a common comorbidity of autism, but also shares A LOT of symptoms with autism.) It was really important to me to be absolutely sure that I wasn't just mistaking my C-PTSD symptoms for autism. ...but it became very apparent that I wasn't. I mean, I didn't even develop PTSD until my late 20s. I've _always_ been autistic though - and C-PTSD only explained _some_ of my sensory issues. I'm a 90s kid from America, so unsurprisingly, all of my doctors repeatedly misdiagnosed me, put me on heavy (and unnecessary) drugs, and sent me away to group homes for "troubled teens". ...so I don't put too much stock in an "official diagnosis" anyway. Those dummies put me through a lot of trauma and drastically altered my life path. If it wasn't for self diagnosis, I'd still have no idea what's "wrong" with me. I've always half-joked that if _anyone_ is capable of self diagnosis, it's low support needs or "high functioning" autistic people. The way we absolutely obsess over topics makes us well suited to it. ...and it's not like it's rocket science or brain surgery. At the end of the day, you either fit the list of criteria or you don't. I don't need an eXpErT to tell me how to read a research paper and decide whether or not it applies to my lived experience. That's incredibly easy to do. At this point, I don't even see the point of getting officially diagnosed by a doctor other than the fact that I'm a psychology nerd, so it'll be a fun process for me. Lol ...but I already know what the answer will be. I even know what my specific sub profiles are - like having Pathological Demand Avoidance, etc. At this point, I'm literally teaching my therapist about autism because by his own admission, I know more about the subject than he does. I actually just taught him about "echolalia" today. Haha People need to understand the difference between legitimate self diagnosis and Tik Tok diagnosis. They are NOT even remotely the same thing at all.

Your mind map and sources are fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed and related to this video. Thank you for sharing. Subscribed.

@Autistic_AF

10 күн бұрын

Thank you, Brianna! 🧡

The cat at the end tho! 😆😆😆 Since the time that I was a child, I liked to take things apart then put them back together to see how they worked - pretty much anything! Not so much anymore, but the curiosity is still there! 😅 And books! The feel of them, the smell, the texture! And the words between the cover opening up a whole new world and points of view! 🥹 Books and animals! Oh! And a great cup of coffee, tea, or occasionally wine...a hot bubble bath! 🛁 Aaaah, the best things in the world! 🌍

@Autistic_AF

22 күн бұрын

Captain Polly! 🐈 🌊 Yes! The smell of books is so comforting isn’t it?

Loved this, thank you!

thanks for introducing me to this tool, it's a great way to digitally store all those scraps of paper I have lying around into something which is more structured. I may have spent the past five hours setting out my personal configuration.

@Autistic_AF

15 күн бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Join the Discord! ==> www.patreon.com/autisticaf (our Discord community is available on all tiers).

one of the reasons I’m iffy about getting an official diagnosis is because I don’t want to affect my chances of moving to another country… which sounds ridiculous because pretty much all of my family is in the US but with the way things are going right now in the US, what if I do want to move in the next decade or so? I don’t want that choice being taken from me ;/ there’s also a fear of courts making decisions based on your diagnosis (I’ve seen some horror stories of people having their custody rights revoked due to being autistic when finalizing a divorce) or the fear of doctors discrediting you/not believing you bc of official diagnosis. I don’t know maybe one day I’ll feel it necessary enough to get an official diagnosis but as of right now I think I can manage with my self diagnosis.

@Autistic_AF

25 күн бұрын

Hey Elsa, those are excellent, valid, reasons. It’s a shame but there we go. -Mike

I started thinking I am autistic when I met an autistic guy and he was literally like my father. They behaved very similarly and I thought that was odd. Then I started doing research, I read multiple books and research papers. I also met another autistic person and we had a *lot* in common. He also told me I am very "autism coded". It felt like being autistic would explain my whole life and the way I am. I am going through official diagnosis right now and I am pretty sure I am going to get an autism diagnosis and probably ADHD as well.

I recognized simplemind’s color and style from the video’s thumbnail, this program is my life!

@Autistic_AF

8 күн бұрын

It’s really good, isn’t it? 🧡

@hashemmehyar9614

7 күн бұрын

It is amazing, just like this video. I am used to looking at large organized maps like this, so much so i now see bullet points as messy, which is why the map helped me understand how you see and approach this subject, and it helped me understand autisim more. Thank you for sharing

@Autistic_AF

7 күн бұрын

Thank you for your kind feedback and for being here!

Thank you for this. I'm interested in any bit of this you care to go into, trying to figure all this out as a 48 year old. I knew all my oddities and difficulties, but I had come to the conclusion that I must just be a literal Changeling or something. Trying to refigure where the hell all these bits fit in the story of myself is quite the challenge, so your input (as well as others) is appreciated- the reframing and learning about other people's strategies in coping with this weirdness has been helpful in wrapping my head around it. Sidenote: on the white cis boys thing- we also need to add type-A personality, and structure/organization focused. The "Artsy Dreamer" type is a Very different manifestation even within the white cis boy demographic. I personally suspect that it will eventually be found that autism is a thing that is layered onto the full range of human expression of personality. Like, there is the neurotypical version then there's what happens when you add Autism Sauce (or adhd, or whatever ND)- where people Within these different broad variations share tendencies. I think that's why it's been so difficult to figure out for so long. It's the Whole Range of Human Psychology, that manifests differently when it gets run through the Autism operating system, or perhaps hardware, and I think we have the same level of similar tendency (and difference) between each other in the community that the NT's do between each other. And weirdly we collectively Recognize this is a thing, as they wind up as side character tropes in all sorts of stories. We Know these people are there (we Are these people) and there are Several beyond just the iterations of "scientist"- if you can see what I'm pointing at there. This is one of those things- I can see/feel it, but speaking it is tricky, and I wish I knew how to get the notion through to researchers. *sigh*

Love the mind map. I’m working on one similar. Just started. Please do more videos on this. I think it’s really helpful for us to understand ourselves through the lens of autism.

@Autistic_AF

19 күн бұрын

Thank you, Sheri! I will!

Doctors want to see what they are told to see. Dealing w these feelings is a secondary operation

I did something similar to a mind map, but I took a notebook and labeled several pages with main autism symptoms/topics. Then I listed everything I have that fits under each category. Much of my lists matches yours.

Thank you 💜💜 I feel seen, I can relate, and I’m so sorry to know how it feels to have been thru the challenges you’ve experienced. Such is our journey, and I do believe the development of strength to model for others is why. Also, the thumbnail for this video is you with your mind map image behind you, and as soon as I saw that, I laughed and said “aw damn, I AM autistic” ** and I say that with nothing but love. You’re rad. **does anyone who ISN’T autistic create mind maps?! Amirite?!

@Autistic_AF

9 күн бұрын

Thank you 🧡 (I’m glad you liked the thumbnail - I wasn’t sure about it lol).

thank you for the detailed walk though your process!

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

Thank YOU, Rick! More to come 🙂

These a few things I noticed about myself learning and watching a lot of youtube videos about Autism: 1. I used to have sturggled learning how to tie shoelaces and interpreting how other people did it so well. I learned it the 'proper' way literally at 16. 2. This one time, I spent a lot of time reviewing European country names and learnjng about them just so I can see how they are like spelled so I can put it into my own world. Trying to get the jist of the vibe there. I came uo with Crurecas and Brusorvia. Also Nerbani. 3. I REALLY struggle with concentrating in tests because I would notice a ton of noise from others. Foottapping, I can hear other people writing, they would also move their chairs and the worst of all, talk... either talk was in general conversations or with the teacher asking questions. I wish because of this I had some headphones with me to lock in. Especially in lunch when I am forced inside a cafeteria. I cannot concentrate on my phone at all there, I just look all around the cafeteria. Like my eyes wander everywhere than paying attention to the videos I watch. 4. When I was little, when people called my name. I wouldnt verbally answer them but just give shrug. My mom told me this. It stopped happenning at age 8. I assume this is normal behavior so whatever. 5. I was always scolded over eye contact in Elementary school. Mostly by my 4th grade teacher. 6. I was that weird annoying kid in elementary school who wouldnt shut up about FNAF and Lego Movie. 7. Both in Elementary and Midle school, I never felt like I fit in or not fit in. I didn't care at all about making friends or seeing what trends are happening/nor what other people are doing. It sounds contradictorary because in Elementary school, I always tried to push myself into a friend group in which always ended up with me getting rejected. But point still stands. 8. I remember when I panicked at a shoe store. The store was just so small and so many people were there. I wanted to leave the first second I entered and ASAP! I felt like they were all looking at me. This wasnt a 1 time occurence. It was 2 times and those were the only times I ever visited that place. Could be social anxiety though. Those were some things I would consider considerable about myself... Idk, many of these things looks like a normal experience for a typical person.

@DefeatedMelon

16 күн бұрын

I also would always prefer the insteumental versions if sings than lyrics. I liked the instrumentals much better than lyrics.

I would love a video on routines because I have adhd so I am not the best at routines but I have a certain way I like my mornings and evenings to go and I’m wondering if it’s like that.

Love how much sense this makes/you make. Thank you!

@Autistic_AF

24 күн бұрын

Aww thank YOU! 🙏

I would also spend most days at school on the perimeter of the playground or alone on the swings, just singing to myself. Almost never involved in a larger group or main part of the grounds.

I was self diagnosed for almost a year and a half before just barely being formally diagnosed. At the time of the diagnostic appointment I had a 56-page pdf of lists of my traits, experiences, and research, which I sent to my diagnostician. Self-diagnosis led me to greater personal understanding and to a professional diagnosis, which is why I appreciate it

@Autistic_AF

15 күн бұрын

Exactly! We don't come along this path lightly, like choosing a flavour of ice cream (which, realistically we already knew what we wanted well in advance anyway!) -Mike

So I saw the thumbnail of the video and thought: Autism? Mind map? _instantly adds video to my queue_ 😅 It actually got wiped from my queue, too, so I'm glad I was able to find it again! Thanks so much for the lovely video! Would you also be able to share the software you used? I'd love to make mind maps myself, but I haven't looked that deeply into which software to use

@Autistic_AF

17 күн бұрын

Oh no! It got wiped from your queue? It must have been off to hydrate! The software is SimpleMind, there’s a detailed walkthrough video on my Patreon but the software is free with a paid Pro version that I used in the video. All the best! -Mike

@TheCloverAffiliate12

12 күн бұрын

​@@Autistic_AF Yeah, and very true! I should take a lesson from that and hydrate also 😂 Thank you so much for responding and informing me! I guess I had SimpleMind Free on my tablet from some years prior, so I'll definitely start there. Can't right now, but once I'm able, I look forward to following the detailed walkthrough on your Patreon and getting the paid version of the app. Thanks again! 😄

I think this is possibly the very first time I have commented on a KZread video, but this really just explains me almost as well as it does yourself. I feel like you just made a presentation about my life and I appreciate the clarity and methodology of your approach. Thank you so much for making this video.

@Autistic_AF

22 күн бұрын

Hey Rhyan, thank you so much! That’s a very kind thing to say - and I hope this helps you with your own thoughts! -Mike

Hi from Florida just started watching . yep hitting like :)

@Autistic_AF

29 күн бұрын

Thank YOU, Otura! :-)

@Visible.Friend

28 күн бұрын

Otura, so glad you're here. hUgz from Ohio, Lee

much appreciated this, thanks mike

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

Thanks, Gale, too for your support!

@galespressos

28 күн бұрын

@@Autistic_AF Want to catch the live again. My other gale (gayle) gets different notifications, not sure why. Thank you truly. Helps sanity to have real people around… even on line and cats are definitely real people too..the cats help people be real, who they are. Have a great day, season, year, always.,,🐱 😉

Great video, I've also done many of these things, thanks for sharing with us. Also, I watched all of your previous video, I thought it was interesting too. :)

Hi Mike! Thank you for the thorough video. I've been suspecting that I am autistic for a very long time. I've felt like a misfit as far as I can remember. People around me, friends and family, tell me that I'm different, somewhat quirky. I always thought I was born this way, and in 2018, I finally accepted that I might be on the spectrum while researching what my "misfit" personality might be rooted in. It was a disintegrating realisation. By the way, I majored in psychology and have a PhD in social psychology, and although I know more about mental conditions than an average person, I didn't think that I might be autistic. Anyway, I decided to see a mental health professional for a diagnosis, not because I needed a label, but because I needed an explanation. I live in NZ and need to see a GP first to be referred to a mental health professional. The GP told me that I could not be autistic because autistic people usually have an intellectual disability, but I have a PhD. It was such a weird moment. I just left the clinic. I've been keeping a kind of autism diary in which I aim to analyse and create my personal autism themes. I might interview some family members or friends later, but my dad strongly rejects the idea of me being autistic. It'd be a lot different if my parents didn't force me to fit into a box based on social expectations, and if they were more understanding of my sensitivities. I don't have an official diagnosis, but I'm almost sure that I'm autistic. It's been a challenging journey, but it's getting better.

@Autistic_AF

15 күн бұрын

Hello Ayşe, thank you for your comment. Your name is lovely and unusual - I'd love to know how to pronounce it properly. Thank you for your detailed comment. It's sad to read in that - this is such a common experience. I've had very similar in that my GP said, "You've got a family, and a home, and you're successful so what do you want to achieve?". It is a very weird moment indeed. I'm so glad you've kept notes. For instance my mind map was literally left in a folder for over a year and I've brought it out now for a KZread video. I'm glad I kept it; it helped me to create my written notes. If you have any school or academic reports from your primary/secondary education, they're really handy. I wish I had kept more of them. Family too, especially if they're older. Self identification is as valid as it is for identifying our own sexuality. Thanks for your thoughtful comment and sharing your experience. I hope you have a lovely day -Mike 🧡

Hi, thanks for sharing this! I've only recently tried mind-mapping, and it seems pretty helpful. Your kitties are so cute!

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

Thank you, Amanda! 🐈 💜

My therapist has said I definitely tick the autism boxes but I dont want the formal one because of the limitations....

The mind map is all I needed to see 😭

@Autistic_AF

16 күн бұрын

Thanks Hannah! ☺️

This mind map is fascinating and much to relate on.The visual is most helpful and, it may sound odd, but it appeals to the artist in me as well. Thanks ! 😊

@Autistic_AF

22 күн бұрын

Hey Marissa! Thank you :) ☺️

Thank you for sharing this video👍Your mind map looks like I (diagnosed with ADHD) created it. I'm not in doubt that I'm autistic but I'm not sure if a formal diagnosis will make any difference now at my age (57 yrs old). The awareness of how my brain is functioning, and why I am how I am, along with the ADHD, has been an eyeopener, and it also helps me not being so hard on myself.

This is AWESOME!

@Autistic_AF

18 күн бұрын

Thank you, Katherine! 🧡

Thank you!

This was SO interesting Mike, thanks for sharing! I am really struggling with trying to put together a documentation of my profiles. It’s put me off getting a formal diagnosis at this point, even though I have been signposted to a particular place and it’s the right place and cost. I’m finding it so difficult, exhausting and distressing because I have significant trauma in my past from a young age and after my brain haemorrhage in 2022 I find I can’t focus for long or remember things properly the way I used to. I fear that these things and the fact that I have nobody else who knows me well enough to vouch or advocate for me or provide information about me would scupper my chances of getting diagnosed because it all muddies the waters too much. This is making me sad right now.

@Autistic_AF

28 күн бұрын

Thank you, Traci - I'm glad it was useful to you in your own documentation process. A good, neuro-afffirmative practitioner should be able to help you tease those things apart and are used to dealing with trauma. Don't feel sad; you're not alone. -Mike

i've been questioned by friends about me self diagnosing, when as a teen i was told by a licensed therapist that she thought i was autistic but since having autism would mean my family "would view me differently", I "wouldn't get a job" and if i managed to get one i "would be fired for my autistic traits", she decided to not formally diagnose me. I already struggle to get a job, having it on a little paper and in my medical records won't make it worse lol. its already happening. if i hadn't self diagnosed, i wouldn't have ever been able to understand myself as much as i do now. the infantilization of autistic adults by medical professionals is insane.

Love your mind map and comparing it to a D&D character sheet. Game on! I applaud your bravery!

@Autistic_AF

24 күн бұрын

Thank you ☺️ - the more I think about it, the closer to D&D it gets. Spell slots instead of spoons and short and long rests to replenish them. 🧙‍♂️