Autism Self Diagnosis is Valid | Here's Why

In this video I'm sharing a powerful quote from a self diagnosis resource published by University of Washington Autism Center.

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DISCLAIMER: Taylor Heaton is not a licensed psychologist or specialist healthcare professional. Her services do not replace the care of psychologists or other healthcare professionals. Please note that Taylor can’t take any responsibility for the results of your actions, nor any harm or damage you suffer as a result of the use, or non-use of the information available through her website, YouTube Channel, or social media accounts. Please use judgment and conduct due diligence before taking any action or implementing any plan or practice suggested or recommended by Taylor Heaton or Mom on the Spectrum. Please note that Taylor doesn't make any guarantees about the results of the information you may apply from her website, YouTube channel, and/or social media accounts. Taylor shares educational and informational resources that are intended to help you succeed in navigating life as an autistic adult. You nevertheless need to know that your outcome will be the result of your own efforts, your particular situation, and innumerable other circumstances beyond Taylor's knowledge and control. Taylor is an Amazon affiliate and may receive commissions on qualifying purchases from affiliate links. Taylor is a Flare affiliate and may receive commissions on qualifying purchases from Flare links.

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You are a beautiful person worthy of love!

#actuallyautistic #momonthespectrum #autisticadult

[nnylasoR]

My husband said, “You don’t need a diagnosis to get sympathy.”
SYMPATHY??? I don’t want people boo-hooing for me, I want them understanding and **not shaming** me.

[Winteryears]

I'm 71 and have always been odd without knowing why...my daughter suggested I'm autistic and everything I explore online backs her up. I don't think it will change much knowing, except for a huge sense of relief. In naming comes knowing. Peace to all.

[ericwelvaert]

Twenty years ago, I asked my psychiatrist if I was autistic. He told me I couldn't be, because I was "too intelligent".
Five years ago, I asked another psychiatrist the same question, and my suspicions were confirmed.

[horacenicolds]

I can't say I am completely self-diagnosed. I live in an RV in a friend's driveway. I am 79 years young. Not long ago the mother mentioned that her daughter was autistic. I have known them for about 6 years and Grace and I connected very quickly, she is 18 now. I started researching autism in women but saw nothing that rang any bells for me. One day Grace said, "you are autistic also". Suddenly my whole life made sense. Since with my problems in school, in my marriage (married for 45 years, three kids, I never seemed to make my wife happy), problems at work (I was an optician and became one of 360 Master Opticians, but was frequently at odds with my bosses). I spent 21 years in the Naval Reserve, 15 years as a boy scout leader and earned a BS degree. I don't mean to brag, but I had no reason to think I could be autistic until she said that and 79 years of questions and not really fitting in were answered, I guess I became and expert masker. I said, "yes I am, but I manifest differently than you." A few days later I was in the house with the family and mentioned what had happened and they all looked at me and said, "you didn't know you were autistic? We figured that out a long time ago. We thought you knew." so I was diagnosed by an autistic girl and her family. Would that count as being self-diagnosed? I see no value in a professional diagnosis as I am retired and somewhat independent, my kids live 300 miles away. I am delighted to find out I am autistic as my chaotic life makes better sense now. Thank you for this post. BTW I have taken several on-line tests which have verified, in my mind, that I am autistic.

[whitneymason]

My son and I are the only ones with an official diagnosis in our family, but there are many family members now who self identify as autistic. It's definitely valid in my book. 💞

[killsa]

Self diagnosed at age 50 and it made EVERYTHING make sense. I found my island of misfit toys ❤

[Joris-KarlHuysmans]

Better to self-diagnose than to be misdiagnosed.

I was diagnosed at a very young age with OCD + generalized anxiety disorder, and my psychiatrist at the time told me she also considered I could have autism, but eventually discarded the option. On which basis? No idea, I was never told why.

20 years later (just a week ago), I found out I do have autism, and all thanks to this and many other internet resources.

Never underestimate the research capacity of a person in the spectrum.

[crowkraehenfrau]

For me at almost 65 I see no gain whatsoever in battling doctors to get an official diagnosis. I know it does good for some people here in Germany...and I am happy for those of you with that experience. To me that feels like saying: yay, another serving of gaslighting please...nope...I am fine with my self-diagnosis. By now I more and more say "I'm autistic" and not "probably autistic". Thanks for this video, Taylor...reassures me.

[marthamurphy]

Just got my diagnosis. Autism confirmed.

[roxanne]

Have I found out why I’m the odd man out. I have felt so ashamed because I don’t understand what’s going on around me, like I’m socially ignorant . I had dyslexia and had to leave class for special education. But I kept telling everyone that I can be with the regular class. Not until the school was forced to reevaluate me did they finally believe me in the 8th grade. I was invited to hang out after school but it was not fun for me because it was so much work and a lot of self gaslighting. I loved riding my bike to the beach and sit for hours by myself in High School. Wow! How life changing this been. After learning the female side of this has helped me understand me. Thank you.

[navidee]

For someone like myself, being officially diagnosed at 47 isn’t going to change anything for me. What self diagnosis has done for me is give me answers to the all of the things my adhd and gad diagnoses don’t cover. I’m able to understand myself better and know how to move forward with the rest of my life with a less self destructive path than I was on. Thank you for putting this out there!

[KearaGraves]

THANK YOU FOR SAYING THIS!!!❤ You’re the realest for standing up for self diagnosed autistics even though you yourself have a formal diagnosis. THX FOR SHARING YOUR LIGHT WITH THIS WORLD💛✨

[dimpsthealien]

THANK YOU ❤ I'm a 52 y.o. female who has been misdiagnosed countless times. I have come to the realization in the last 1+ years that I am autistic. I love feeling like I fit somewhere. I've done a lot of research and self-reflection as you put it and have suffered all my life wondering what was "wrong" with me. Now I know nothing is wrong. I'm just running on a different operating system. It's so freeing to be self-discovered.

[joana.en.pyjautiste]

When you said "I acknowledge your experience", I felt like crying coz nobody does. Thank you so much🙏

[AdonisGaming]

I've spent around 6 months now, binge researching autism, hearing from youtubers like you share their stories. Telling my sisters and friends about it and I feel like Autism with low-support needs just resonates so well with how I have felt and explained my social issues throughout my life. I'm now 30 seemingly unable to do the things that most humans are expected to do with their careers, jobs etc and I just can't seem to do it. Every day that I scroll through the autism subreddit groups (multiple different ones) I constantly laugh along and see posts where other people are perfectly understanding how I feel on the inside. They seem to understand and it feels like I am scrolling through my own posts as if they were written by me. It feels good. At the moment I can't afford a diagnosis and from my understanding for adults it can be hard. But at least for now it feels like I found a label that helps me at least feel not alone in the world. Even if I don't really have friends.

[ItsDrMcQuack]

The way I see it is this: before getting a late diagnosis, you basically have to self diagnose first. Otherwise, how would you know to seek a professional evaluation? I know this doesn't ring true to everyone, but it is why I have quickly come to realize that self diagnosis is 100% valid. Of course, all your points are completely valid, especially considering the issues with professionals who may not be up to date on their knowledge.

So yes, self diagnosis is VALID!

[Euphmia]

I’m evidence of this. Discovered last year through reading that I was likely autistic. Was referred for an assessment through the NHS, but the waiting times are crazy. Ended up having to pay a lot of money to go private. Got my diagnosis a few weeks ago. I was right all along and the psychologists had no doubt. One of them has a masters degree from Oxford University.

[mtaylor]

Newly diagnosed by a professional. Its been such a liberation, yet so heartbreaking too as I have been left thinking only if I had received the diagnosis sooner, I would not have struggled so much in life. But I am embracing it. Thanks for all your brilliant work, its is really helping

[gracenosbod]

Thank you so much, Taylor! In '02, I was misdiagnosed with Bi-polar Disorder. After extensive research, I tried telling my Psychiatrist I did not have Bi-polar but was humiliated by this "professional" and just told to stay on the meds. I weaned myself off the meds. It took me 12 years to have a compassionate, attentive doc to hear me. During these years, I was being treated for depression, anxiety, PTSD, agoraphobia, and panic attacks. I was also doing research because I felt deeply we were missing something. After my therapist encouraged me to research HSPs, I knew I was getting closer. And when I met a young autistic woman, I saw myself so clearly. After another year of intensive research on autism, I asked my doc for an autism evaluation. She agreed wholeheartedly. Long story short, I received a diagnosis of bi-lateral neurocognitive disorder. Though it may be (I still doubt it) correct on some level, it does not account for many of my life experiences. The Psychologist was emphatic with his diagnosis so I never bothered to defend myself. My doc was willing to try and find someone else but I refused. After a month of grieving, I resumed my research. I'm sorry for such a lengthy comment but I've doubted myself for too long. I am a 62 yo female and I know I'm autistic! You've given me permission to say it...again because I watched your vid series on unmasking. I just needed to tell my story. I am a member of your MOTS community but I've been so hesitant to speak up and truly become an active member. Thank you again.

[brooklynn.marie]

There were/are days that I do feel awkward with a self-diagnosis and question the validity of it but all I know is the moment my therapist brought it to my attention, my life has completely changed. I've never felt like I've understood myself more and feel so free, and that's all that matters.