I’m Autistic

I’ve debated on posting this or not for about a year now, and finally figured, what the heck, why not?

So last March (2024) I found a place in St Louis that tests adults. So I scheduled an appointment and went in. The woman evaluating me ran me through a couple tests to get a read. We were together for about an hour or hour and a half. She made sure that I knew there were neither right nor wrong answers to anything that we went over. So while I was nervous I just went in honest and hoped that whatever happened helped me to answer a lot of questions.

About a week later I heard back. Going by the DSM5 scale, I am autistic. Apparently, it was obvious to a lot of people that I knew. I had always known that I’m socially awkward, but hadn’t really thought that autism was the lead up to that.

Since finding out, my whole world is seemingly different. Black is white, up is down, right is left, you get the idea. At least that’s how it was. I’m noticing things about myself that I hadn’t picked up on before. One of the questions it answered is why do I get so overwhelmed so easily, and why do I react so emotionally to every little thing.

While it’s not surprising, it is still an adjustment. I have a friend who is also autistic, and she has really been a great help. But I have known she is autistic since we met. It was never a secret between us. She also knows things about me that little to no one else knows.

I’m posting this for anyone struggling with the “What if’s?” wondering if they might be. Like I said it’s an adjustment, but don’t let it take over your life if you find out you are autistic. It’s just another part of what makes you who you are. We are still people. People who deserve decency and civility. We’re neither superior nor inferior to anyone. We’re still who we are, we just know a little more about ourselves now. I’m always available if anyone wants to talk. Sometimes it helps to talk with someone who knows and understands your struggles. Which is why I wanted to post this.
 

But it’s nothing that should change anything. Just don’t let it jack up everything like I did. The moon isn’t made of green cheese. Wrestling still isn’t real. And monkeys are not plotting to take humans down….

….at least I don’t think they are.