@merpreb and @gingerw , good Monday morning to you.

It occurred to me that my response to your question about assessment and diagnosis was more centered on childhood Autism.

Ginger addressed at length about the assessment process for adults. I dont have too much to add at this point, other than my own experience.

There are many tests out there that one can take to give you an idea of what is going on. Many really good books and articles by well known authors. I will mention some of my favorites later. Many adults, like me, were misdiagnosed so many times. ADD is one of my "gifts." And honestly, when I took the medication for it, it helped a lot. Until 3:30pm every day.

And you know what? ADD medicine did nothing for my anxiety and depression. Nothing for the "looping" behavior that is so common in those on the Spectrum. And what about the anxiety that I was only just recently diagnosed with, but have had all of my life?

Let me tell you my non professional opinion. Of COURSE people on the Spectrum are more likely to have extreme anxiety than just the ordinary person walking down the street. When your hearing is off the charts, and you hear Everything....when all of your senses are maxed out, there is going to be a certain level of anxiety. Period.

I masked the other day at the hospital. It is so easy for me to do that, I just naturally get into that space in my head and run with it. Unconciously. Until later, when I rehash what I said and did . And I wonder why I wasn't authentic.

Today I probably looked like a homeless person, as I trekked to the neighborhood store to purchase coffee. We were out. Having coffee in the morning is a necessity. More important than being dressed appropriately or having makeup on. I looked like a Lumberjack's wife, circa 1850. Buffalo plaid flannel jacket over a Brown Praire Skirt. Yes, I was quite the sight. The jacket belongs to my husband, and it comforts me.

But you know what? The little check out girl at the register smiled at me and asked me how I was doing. Even though I was a mess. She still made that connection. That's real people , right there.

Those kinds of people are the salt of the earth, by the way. Anyway, we adult Auties tend to mask so well, want to "fit in" so well, that, we lose ourselves in the process. That prevents an accurate diagnosis, in all too many cases.

Next time I will bring up a hot topic....stimming. What is it? What does it look like? What is it's purpose? Why should we permit it?

You guys are the best. That's why I needed to check in with you, see how you're doing.

Until next time,
Mamacita Jane