Getting Answers When You “Feel Autistic”
DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU MIGHT BE AUTISTIC SOMETIMES? HEre IS ONE FREE RESOURCE TO HELP YOU FIND MORE CLARITY.
Ever wondered if you might be autistic? Depending on where you hang out online, you've probably encountered discussions about what it's like to be on the spectrum. The sensory sensitivities, communication challenges, and the fatigue from trying to fit in—do any of these resonate with you?
If they do, I get it. I grew up as "the super-weird kid," and didn’t have any friends until I turned 11. From day one of school, I felt overwhelmed by the social and sensory environment. I distinctly remember my mom having to physically drag me to school as I lay motionless on the floor. While I excelled at a few things, many seemingly simple tasks were humiliatingly difficult. Most recesses and lunchtimes were spent hiding under stairwells, reading books or writing stories about alien children finding their way home. I desperately wanted to have friends, but I felt totally confused about how friendship worked.
So, am I autistic? Technically, I don't know, but I've taken steps to find out. Here's what I did, and what you can do too.
why does it seem like “everyone is autistic now”?
It’s true that more people are being diagnosed with autism worldwide than ever before. However, it's not that more people are born on the spectrum; rather, our healthcare and society are getting better at recognizing autistic traits. Ultimately, our stereotypes about autism don’t always match the way autistic people actually behave.
If you're curious about your own differences, you're part of this growing awareness. So, what should you do?
How can you get diagnosed in BC?
Living in British Columbia, Canada, like me? Getting a diagnosis here can be challenging due to a shortage of qualified clinicians. The waiting lists are long, and the process can sometimes take years and cost thousands of dollars.
Looking for a free option? Consider using resources like Embrace Autism, where tools like the RAADS-R are available. This tool is a “self-report questionnaire designed to identify adult autistics who ‘escape diagnosis’ due to a subclinical level presentation.” That is to say: it’s better at picking up autism in people who, at some point in their lives, got pretty good at “acting ‘normal’”. This makes it particularly useful for women or those raised as women; research shows that women are socialized to be markedly better at disguising their differences.
It's a start, Right?
While online assessments aren't a substitute for a formal diagnosis, they can be a valuable starting point. If you've struggled throughout your life with feeling different, you deserve support to understand and accept yourself better.
