Ive read a bit about how sometimes after people received their diagnosis that there was ‘regression’ in abilities and that they seemingly ‘became more autistic’ in part from learning to unmask. Something to do with certain aspects of ourselves being tied to masking so strongly. I too use to be a strong independent woman. I feel pretty incapable these days, I am much more aware of things that bother or upset me. I don’t just put a wall up anymore and suffer through things the way I use to. It’s awful to feel helpless. I hope you are able to get that diagnosis and find support. I also can link so many of the awful experiences I had to this day to being autistic. I was raised by a seemingly narcissistic single mother (who might actually be autistic, who knows - she doesn’t like me ‘trying to get in her head’ when I ask questions) she never believed me when I told her what I was going through or what had happened. She would undermine me in the doctors office when I would tell them about things - because if something was wrong with me people would think it was her fault. She use to say my father was probably autistic, she meant it as an insult and her knowledge of autism is zero. My mother created a hyper independent young woman who couldn’t ask for help to save her life. I struggle with perfectionism. Dealt with suicidal ideation the majority of my life. I instinctively isolate when I’m feeling any large emotion because I can’t bare to be a burden. My mother made up fairy tales about why I was the way I was. She use to tell me how I was going to save the world. That I was actually other-worldly. She hinted at fairy mythology mixed with her own imagination. Praised me for being an old soul. But at the same time also made fun of me and told embarassing stories on the regular. Like one time I was grounded (age 7-8?) And I smashed my wooden kids chair against the wall in a fit. When she came up to my room I was just sobbing and trying to put it back together. How is that funny? I was clearly in great distress. That bullshit about babies being able to learn to self-soothing (which is completely inaccurate) probably had something to do with her parenting methods. I haven’t talked to my mother in two years now. I shortly spoke to her for a couple months and before that it had been 4 years.

And I’m not one of those people who believes ‘your parents did the best they could’ that’s just not the case for many children. My mom often told me and my siblings she never wanted kids.

I can’t help but always enjoy artwork with lots of eyes. I really dig this. I am sure your partner was grateful!

Okay let’s see…something good something good…I guess my creativity that spreads across all aspects of my being. From my sense of humour to my art to how I can think outside the norm or being able to see things from seemingly infinite angles. Because of this I rarely feel bored.

I do however become overstimulated quite often because of this same thing. Constant ideas and opinions flying at me. So much information to take in all the time!

Like mentioned in another post how they can experience music in a way not everyone can. I also feel and truly experience music to a point of overwhelm and I never know when it’ll be a good or bad reaction because I have a really hard time realizing I am overstimulated until I crash.