The moment mum told me I had Asperger's 🌊💪 | Heywire

"I sit at the 'high functioning' end of the spectrum, where the terms 'autistic' and 'Asperger's' become interchangeable."

I remember every moment of the day mum told me I had Asperger's.

Black tyres roll along the black road, bouncing and swerving around old potholes.

The two-lane river of asphalt vanishes beneath me as a yellow sign flashes by, warning mum of crossing wombats.

We're on the half-hour drive home from a sleepover at my friend's place in Wolumla, my five-year-old sister chattering away in the back seat.

Mum and I hold our own conversation. Suddenly she beckons me closer, flashing a look into the back seat as I lean in.

Her voice is a whisper.

"Promise me you won't tell everyone this," she says.

I nod my affirmation. She pauses.

"Maddi, you have Asperger's."

I was 11 when mum announced my diagnosis. The first clear thought I remember having afterward was, "well, this might explain a few things".

I get anxiety, I get lost in my own inner world, I have something called Autism Spectrum Disorder.

I sit at the 'high functioning' end of the spectrum, where the terms 'autistic' and 'Asperger's' become interchangeable.

Like other girls with autism, I tend to internalise my symptoms.

This, coupled with the lack of a local pediatrician, meant my diagnosis came much later than it could have if I was a city kid.

For most of my primary school life, I was simply labeled stupid.

Part of my condition is a severe lack of balance, also known as dyspraxia.

I remember going on a bike excursion in primary school, being left behind on my training wheels.

In many ways, this has made making friends a challenge but I have found ways of managing.

Karate, listening to music and swimming in the ocean helps me to stop time, diluting my anxiety.

I don't need balance in the water. There, for a moment, I can shut out the world and all its noise and I come out again feeling content.

While I live far from the big smoke and the copious medical benefits it offers, if I lived in the city with all its noise and bustle, I don't know if I would have gotten as far as I have.

The gentle wilderness of the far south coast has made up for the taunts and misconceptions of my early years.

So, even though receiving my diagnosis was a pivotal moment in my past, I've learned that being autistic does not have to define who I am or how I will live out my future.

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[persephone]

Me too, i crave oceans every once in a while . I can’t live without it. Beautiful video

[Missespelt]

It’s not the Asperger’s I don’t like, it’s the other people I don’t like

[TheJohn]

Maddi you have Asperger's yes and I as well. Although the neurotypical world can and will be stressful towards you, just know that you are important and special in every good way possible and I love you as a fellow Aspie and you matter to the world. All to often I pondered upon ending life prematurely, but something kept me from it all those years. As years however turn into decades, and time spent living turns more decadent, I find myself more weary and tiresome of the same old chores. It feels like I myself have nothing more left to give. I keep wishing for better times for all people and a better world where dreams can come true.

[milkshakeflake]

I have high functioning autism and now I live by the ocean too...

[importantname]

seems she is telling everyone - breach of a secret

[jarredkennedy]

I also have it and while I'm proud of Maddi for her accomplishments, it makes me sick to hear her mother told her not to spread the word about it. Way to shelter and stigmatise her, ma'am. Your daughter should not be an embarrassment to you.

[NrmanTheGhost]

I love swimming too... it makes feel so nice. I love being under the water especially

[robertjohnburton]

Interesting you use water for balance. As a kid I would walk right into large bodies of water like lakes, oceans & rivers. No fear at all, the water lapping over my head until someone would pull me out. I didn't diffientiate between the water & air, coughing up water I would charge right back in.

[Aurochhunter]

I left one of my previous jobs, because my boss simply did not understand that I have communication difficulties; even though everyone else seemed to.

[ArchangelCJ]

I used to have aspergers until they changed it to Asd, I don’t like any sounds having to do with glass, I’m sensitive to any slight brush on my arms because it feels like ants on me and other stuff

[logancoleman]

I have Asperger's and honesty I didn't get I was diagnosed with it when I was born and I was acting different than a normal friend and some people would ask me are you okay I tell them yeah but I honestly don't care that I'm autistic to me it's like I could become a famous person with Asperger's like Elon musk I tell my friends that they don't really believe me but one day one day I'm going to prove them wrong im going to do something that everyone will know me for

[callumpetrie]

I also have Aspergers thanks for sharing your story 😊

[VaultViking]

I'm an aspie mutant...can't stand the ocean but I could live in the mountains forever.

[IzabelaZuzannaKuraszkiewicz]

In ocean there are sharks.They kill Around 12 people each year.Better swim in a pool or go for a walk in a quite park if you don't like noisy places.

[brontdunstan]

I can relate to this cause i have autism

[Saturn-xoin]

I have aspergers to some times i can laugh about the name but it sucks having it like the name saounds like ass burgers

[Hana-suzg]

Just think of it as this - You are a mermaid who is out of water, so you are doing exceptionally great in your life ❤❤❤
I have recently been offered an Autism assessment which I gratefully received, and I have loved the ocean, and lakes, all my life. I am 52 - see the gifts in your state of being 🤩

[djvanmaanen]

Thank for this video, I am also, David

[JihedLammouchi]

my girlfriend just i told me I had Asperger's - i just find out about -

[luciauhrinova]

People with aspergers have not small empatia beacuse it is not make bad or good person