AMA: I am an autistic young woman

[SowhoamI505]

Hey all, as the title says, i am autistic and i'd like for you to ask me any questions on Autism that spring to mind

Is anyone else in your family autistic? It seems to run in mine, mostly in the boys

When people say on here “autism presents very differently in girls”, what in your experiences were the differences?

(thank you for answering, btw)

@Mimmy352 there are a few who are, but are not diagnosed if that makes any sense.

@RubaiyatOfAnyone My experiences with the differences:

i am outspoken, but find others are more reserved (my BF is an example)
I notice perhaps what others don’t
from experience, girls seem more advanced in thought
sensory needs effect some but not all
I find that I don’t get whereas others may

I hope that answers your question :)

Hi, were you diagnosed as a child or adult?

@GrannyGoggins I was diagnosed at 15.5 years, but it was known way before then that i was autistic. Being that my diagnosis was so late, I had an incredibly difficult time accepting it but also felt that it was an answer to all issues which were going on at the time.

What age did you start to notice?
what age did your parents start to notice?

What age did you start to notice?
what age did your parents start to notice?

@Ughhelp Not sure when I started to notice if I’m honest as I already have a lot of medical issues going on, but my parents knew at around 3 years old

Thank you for replying @SowhoamI505
I have some nieces and nephews who may also be autistic. Worried for them as their parents disengage and grandparents heavily in denial. They are going into their teens without support.

When you received your diagnosis what support did you then get? Do you take any kind of medication and how is it helpful?

@makeminealargeoneagain initially, support was understanding what autism was. Now, I’m medicated for anxiety (separate to the autism)

How has Autism affected your education/ career? How has the resulting anxiety affected your education/ career? Can you tell a difference between the two, or are they entwined?

Asking as my dd is a similar age to your diagnosis and suffers extreme social anxiety which has prevented her attending school.