MY AUTISM DIAGNOSIS STORY

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Title: Paige Layle

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Paige Hennekam
46 Kent St W.
ROYALE TOWN & COUNTRY REALTY
Lindsay, ON Canada
K9V 2Y2

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[LisetteAndMarissa]

“I’m autistic, I’m not broken”
I love that.

[destinynicholson]

"I had no actual real relationship with anybody" Those words actually describe what I've been feeling most of my life smh. Thanks for putting it into words for me.

[hazeelise]

since I found out I'm autistic, my mother has also accused me of acting more autistic and playing it up... but I really just feel like me, unmasked. so many things I would hide about myself and only do when I was alone, I now understand, so I am more open about them. instead of just ignoring my pain, I voice sensory discomfort.

[Elisaatje]

When I told my boyfriend about me possibly being autistic he wasn't surprised at all, he was really supportive. I'm so sorry yours was a selfish a-hole. I can't believe how he reacted...

[darthbane]

Glad you dumped that guy. His reputation was more important to him than your self esteem.

[thecheddarshredder]

For other people: If you are neurodivergent or have a diagnosis of sorts...did you ever think “What if it’s just my personality?” How did you reassure yourself?

[JordanJSparks]

I doooon't understand how your makeup is always literally perfect.

[wemsammnyo]

My mom is really into meditation and says stuff like "empty your mind, don't think of anything" and I'm like, "you can do that?!"

[JessnHeather]

I would love to hear more about unmasking around family after your diagnosis. I was just diagnosed at 30 years old. What was the process like, how long it took, feeling unsure of what’s real and what’s been you hiding etc.

[micheletaskey]

Omg "I don't want to be known as the guy dating the R word" I just.. Wow

[hbk]

“Because I said so” FILLS ME WITH RAGE

[chloe_]

I have never even considered the possibility of myself not being neurotypical. But I am the stressed out, straight of the edge, academically competitive, top of the class *girl.* The severe pressure I have always felt (not from my parents, literally from nothing except my own mind) was something that I just always thought every other super smart kid felt. I think maybe it’s more anxiety and OCD, but still, Paige has opened my eyes to how easily girls can mask anything.

[CalliopeFlowerFarm]

I just started the video but wow your mom's direct questions about self-harm and un-aliving are so amazing, wow. Way to go mom. More parents need to ask these direct questions.

[airie]

I agree kids definitely deserve an answer other than “Because I said so” how else will they ever learn?

[getmorbed]

I was just diagnosed with ADHD, and my therapist told me that I "can't have autism because you were masking the whole time you were getting diagnosed". That just doesn't make sense. I've had to mask all day at school. I scored "autism likely" on the test but no official diagnosis. I just feel stuck.

[patient.x]

I got diagnosed yesterday after it taking two years of assessments and meetings and it feels amazing to finally have a reason for my feelings and why my brain seemed to work differently to everyone else I knew

[angelamenjivar]

I’m 19 and have essentially been self diagnosed for about a year because it has been so extremely difficult to get a diagnosis. My psychiatrist is treating me for anxiety and thinks autism is a likely possibly but can’t diagnose me. I relate so much to being told I’m “acting more autistic now.” Ever since finding this out about myself I have been learning to accept myself, be comfortable, and unmask. Just tonight my mom and said to me “well how come you haven’t done (x) for the past 19 years?” and I started crying because I have always been like this, it has always been me, I was just hiding or suppressing the real me. My mom is very supportive, but I think it’s hard for her to understand me even when she thinks she does. Videos like this are what keep me going until I can find people in our community I’m comfortable with and accepted by and until I can get my diagnosis <3

[rachyljean]

Ugh, when you said that your mom didn't know who you were at 16 years old... I feel that on such a deep level. I'm 27, and for 26 years, my mom only knew the masked version of me, so now that I'm dropping that mask more and more... she doesn't really seem to like me anymore. It's hard, but thank you so much for sharing so I don't feel so alone anymore. :)

[amourasundaridevereaux]

Stories like this are keeping me alive while I wait for my assessment in a few weeks. I’m not broken, and there is a future waiting for me. Thank you!

[briiittany]

Has anyone found their autism traits (diagnosed or not) have gotten worse with age? I struggle more than ever in social interactions, barely make eye contact anymore. Like everything’s gotten worse.