Would knowing I had autism growing up made a difference? Having the right diagnosis equals the right helps and tools. Having the right diagnosis would have helped the adults around me know how to help a child whose father had died and sister was given to the system. Why did I blame myself for my dad's death? Why did I blame mysregarding my sister? A deep dive that I rarely do.
Do you feel like something is wrong with you because you have autism? My quietness and lack of connectedness to people after trauma could have been helped so differently if autism was attached. What happened at my dad's funeral could have been explained.
Getting stuck and associations can keep you in the trauma. Trying to give heart medicine to a cancer patient will not give them the right medicine. Denial does not erase autism.
I didn't know how to be me so I imitated people because I thought what they did worked and what I did didn't. The shame in me believed I didn't work. I finally realized I was not broken and did not need fixed. There's no shame in having autism. Self esteem could improve with just knowing. I realized I was good enough.
Why do I say keep being you and keep moving forward at the end of my videos?
Are you autistic and feel different? Are you afraid to tell family, friends, co-workers, future bosses, job interviews? Are you holding on to a shame because you are autistic? Do you think people will feel differently if you tell them you are autistic? Are you afraid people will deny your autism? Do you feel different?
Autism is a journey.
If you know someone who hasn't come to terms with their autism or someone dealing with shame or healing or bad associations and have not found their autistic voice in the midst of trauma, this video is for you.
And some surprises from my kids. You will talk serious but laugh a lot too at the beginning. This is a journey.
Thanks for being a part of my channel.