I’ve been internet-diagnosed with autism plenty of times, but the one time I went to get evaluated, they said I didn’t have “it.”
But if it’s a spectrum with different combinations of different traits at different levels of intensity, maybe a diagnosis is irrelevant and what matters is what your constellation of traits actually is, regardless of an official diagnosis (which, let’s face it, is probably highly subjective outside of some constellations–that is to say, with a long enough list of psychologits, I could probably get a dx).
Personally, for me, what this means is I can look to autistic literature to see what resonates with me without worrying about the fact that I don’t share many of the hard markers for autism. For instance, my investment in the truth often conflicts with social niceties even though I can read people’s emotions. I can see myself as an unofficially atypical person in a lot of ways.
I’ll leave my resonsances in the comments below. Feel free to share yours.
arcanepotato@crazypeople.online Disability is also contextual. For many of us “sub-clinicals”, it doesn’t become an issue until we’re out of school, on our own, and trying to navigate the pressures of a job, a relationship, and maybe even a family. When stress rises, and unknown needs are not getting met, things start collapsing and it becomes a disability.
They still often won’t diagnose you, though, unless someone says you were non-verbal or something in childhood.
Yes, that is what I was trying to say with this:
But I’d appreciate clarification if you think I am still missing your point?
arcanepotato@crazypeople.online I was sort of tallking about it from the other direction, not trying to contradict you. Just speaking to the sense of losing supports or surpassing support limits. my line about diagnosing was just trying to tie things back to this idea.