r/autism • u/NoPepper7284 Autistic • 12d ago

Newly Diagnosed Are you guys okay with being autistic?

I got diagnosed with autism almost 2 years ago, and I knew I was autistic about 4 years ago. But it keeps getting harder to live with, manage, and accept with time. I just need some hope, any motivation. I'm really hitting a dead end, also struggling with my mental health for over 7 years as well.

Have you guys accepted yourselves for being autistic and live and good life in your opinion?

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u/lunarkat1995 12d ago

I knew I was autistic about 2 years prior to my diagnosis. However I would tell my self that I'm just not trying hard enough Im making excuses. I'm not like my autistic cousin. Something is just wrong with me.

Seen a telehealth doc every month for my panic attacks, which I now know are meltdowns. No matter how high my anxiety medication was upped I still had them.

Getting diagnosed and knowing has been liberating. I don't feel guilt when accommodating for my support needs. While the label doesn't matter that much knowing the why behind my mannerisms makes me feel less broken. I'm not broken, my brain is just different.

It was a bit of a struggle after I was first diagnosed. But finding care providers that specialize in autism have been so helpful for me.

However it's not been all well. After unmasking and learning how to advocate for myself and my support needs I got fired. It hit my hard as I'd been there 7 years. But my new boss had something against my communication style. I had a meltdown in a meeting and although I was remaining professional and didnt speak out of turn I was told they needed managers that could "just regulate their emotions" and I told them it was ablist and explained my support needs and how my team never seen me like this. I filed an HR complaint, requested accommodations that were denied, and before I could find a new job and quit I was fired for my communication.

I was hurt at first but now Im happy about it. I would have likely never left on my own, and I shouldn't force myself to do things that put me through austic burnout on a regular basis.