How Do You Know You're Autistic? (Autism & Adults)

How do adults discover they're autistic? The best way to know is to hear how other people came to the realisation, found out, were nudged, or in any other way, gained the knowledge that they were autistic.
Continues the story of Sky, first mentioned in the Q&A videos linked below.

#EngageAutism #AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic

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[Autistamatic]

Please be kind in your comments. Sky may wish to remain anonymous but she can see the comments as well as anybody else. I'm very grateful to her for choosing to share her story and I hope you guys are too💜

[Rae-euzb]

I’m too scared to be diagnosed in fear that I’ll be marginalised. The government put out a new rule that we much be retested for drivers licence if we’re autistic

[chrisjeffrey]

Thanks so much for sharing Sky's story. Just yesterday I was formally diagnosed with ADHD & am waiting for my ASD assessment in May. I'm 63.5 & I've struggled most of my life, with things just like Sky and others. Just finding out what's wrong, makes a huge difference after being fobbed off for years. I feel like I can stop beating myself up & start being proactive, now that I know what I'm dealing with. If it was not for content makers like you & people sharing their stories, I would still be in the dark. I'm so grateful.

[pinkelephant]

This is the best "are you autistic" video I've seen. 😢Made me cry because I can relate, I am a self diagnosed 34 year old woman

[kikitauer]

It is ironic that we as people who hate change and need certainty and security, go so often through these events and changes. I am now 42 and I can't count anymore how many times I moved, how many jobs I had, how many relationships I left behind. Thank you to Sky for sharing her story ♥

[speedodragon]

They all only decide you are autistic if you are a problem. If you are capable you are normal. If you have some issues you just need some theropy. Never do they want to believe you are autistic and functional.

[yukisanderson]

Sky is a very strong woman. I wish the best for her.

[anjachan]

I was the only one standing up for a bullied girl too ... i didn't care if they did the same to me. I wouldn't let myself be bullied.

[Tilly]

I relate very deeply. I've self-diagnosed at age 65 and finally feel like the mystery about all the ways I didn't fit in has been solved. Being "born" this late is a bit weird, but yes, I'm very sure I'm autistic. I plan to mention it to my doctor, but it won't matter. Thank you for sharing this story. I've been poking on Youtube to see more from adults with autism. There's very little on my generation. Good luck to you, Sky. I like fantasy books and was the butt of the bullies when I was a child too.

[yerald_a]

If any Americans are similarly confused, a locum Doctor is a substitute or visiting physician who is either filling in for an absent doctor, providing short-term staffing for temporary volume changes, or visits on a regular schedule to an area that doesn’t have sufficient full-time staffing.

[MrAndywills]

Definitely think my middle child is #ActuallyAutistic. Sought an assessment, just to be told (after a 15 minute telephone conversation with a "autism specialist nurse") that she couldn't be autistic, because she's a girl. Even after I reeled off numerous research papers and citations stating the woeful under diagnosis of autism in girls/women and revealing I'm autistic (also suspect my mum and my nan were also autistic). Oh, and the nurse insisted in using person first language, which made my skin crawl.

[CherrysJubileeJoyfully]

This is so much like my life its alarming. I'm lived through atrocious abuse and neglect now i shout my stories from the rooftops trying to help others the way that wold have saved me from so much of the pain.

Diagnosed at 41 waiting for Williams syndrome test ill be 43 when i finally get it. It makes everything make sense and MY REASURCH AND HARD WORK DEMANDING TO BE SEEN AND HEARD to be approved for the test.

[rockinjellyfish]

I have been diagnosed with all manner of psychiatric disorders. Including, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, parasomnias, bipolar disorder one with psychotic features, personality disorder cluster b and cluster c and complex post traumatic stress disorder and autism.
I have taken all sorts of medications and have been forcibly medicated many times. Recently I had a comprehensive review of medication and diagnosis's and had a long meeting with my psychiatrist.
She does not want to medicate me anymore. Between us we have determined that it is abusive and does not serve me.
I have never been hospitalized off medication but I have been forcibly committed and hospitalized while fully compliant with the medication fed to me or forcibly injected into my body.
I have a lot of hospital stories and arrest stories. I have never been charged with anything or done anything criminal in my life but I have be treated punitively for acting weird.
I like this video it struck a lot of chords with me and I could relate to some of the experiences described.
I struggle with hatred for humanity. I try not to see the world as Us vs Them but I sure feel it. I feel very beaten down sometimes.
I will watch more of your videos. I like how you presented this one.

[pipwhitefeather]

I can completely relate to Sky's story. Doctors have been useless in my experience. I've been to then so many times for mental health support, everything was attributed to something else. Various therapists, usually 3 seesions (NHS...) that wouldn't help me unravel what was 'wrong' with me. I realise I've been presenting these aspects of the struggles we have for so long. I got no help or support. Cut off from my family, who consider me weird and lazy. Feeling miserable today and now over sharing. I wish the referral appointment would hurry up..

[suzettescammahorn]

I feel sad hearing this story. I had some similar experiences growing up. Growing up this way is so bewildering. I wish no one ever had to experience these troubles.

[kathryngreaves]

Oh my goodness this made me cry 😢 it's a really positive story. I can completely relate to this as far as the school, the Dr and the locum Dr. I'm 100%sure I'm autistic and am waiting for my referral. I love your videos. You the best videographer I've seen. It was my son that made me go searching and have the courage to seek out more about my own experiences like many of us school in the 80s and 90s I was just seen as slow until college where I began to thrive. I'm really struggling with bringing up subjects of honesty and morals in my work place currently. I'm sure if I bring up some of my discrepancies I will be seen as a trouble maker or not a team player because it's happend so many times before in previous jobs and was pretty much told this by my colleagues in my role. I'm currently in limbo do I speak to my manager or do I just keep my head down unhappy and feeling like no one has my back. I only work a few hours a week because I can't cope with more. Any advice would be appreciated.thank you

[PravoSlavicon]

I am not diagnosed and in my school years I had good friends (until high school then some of the relationships began to change and I somehow did not keep up). It always puzzled me why I suddenly find myself/gather in a group of outcasts, misfits, sometimes artists and people after hard experiences. Most friendships were sparked by an unusual interest or ability.

[lrwiersum]

Nowadays mine would have been caught. I’m a 65 year old woman and just now figured it out. Mind blowing and life changing.

[TeamJesusGo]

Hi everybody! Im a 44 year old woman with diagnosed adhd. I am also a nurse and work in psychiatry. I believe... I am convinced I have autism. But, despite my knowledge and expertise, I too am greeted with the same responses from my doctors when asking for a referal. Last time a few days ago. I payed for my NP evaluation for adhd only out of pocket since Ive been denied that too.
This to say that, I feel so much for Sky. Im so sad she went through all that alone and everyone who was suposed to help her, protect her and guide her turned against her because itd just easier to try to make "the probkem" go away. Call it ignorance or lazyness.
Im sure this talk with the doctor was some time ago, but Im sad to say that this exact words Ive also heard. From my doctors and colleges who work in specialized psychiatry clinics. Thus, one must fight to just get the care you need and have a right to.
I wont give up, but its exhausting.
If you feel alone in a similar situation, ask for support. You dont have to do things alone.
As for me, I will continue to advocate and do my best to help as many people get diagnosed and the help and care they too diserve. Hugs! ♥️

[derekkerr]

This story is vey emotional for me. I loved how you said, "freedom to be herself". I am going through the process of self discovery now. That is exactly how I feel. Free to be myself.