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Thank you! I was finally diagnosed 2 years right before I’ve started college, and that really helps (the testing was covered by my local vocational rehab office).

My mom helps me a lot and does teach me a lot about social things, but some things are hard for her to explain to me because she’s not autistic. Plus she has to deal with my dad, who is ten times worse than me and is obviously where I got my autism from (I think his dad had it based on behavior), but he refuses to get tested. Add in some severe ADHD for him and some ADHD and severe anxiety for me and mom has to deal with a lot. I’m also an only child, so it really helps when my friends can help teach me things.

Creative writing is one of my favorite things to do! For the contest writing, I only planned the first sentence of each part, then I just let my mind loose and waited to see what I ended up writing. I was definitely not planning to end up with a The Santa Claus/Elf/Shrek/Rise of the Guardians/everything else crossover, but I really liked it and apparently everyone else did too :)

Thank you for sharing! I'm not autistic, but I have several friends who are and share about their experiences and different resources, and it's been really helpful to know how to support them in ways I don't require support.

I know this whole community is more than happy to be understanding and patient with anyone who needs it, and I'm glad you feel comfortable enough here to share yourself and be vulnerable with us!

:x

Not autistic myself, but both my younger siblings are on the spectrum.

@Nightphoenix, it was pretty much the same with me, my mom wasn't really surprised after the testing either, she pretty much knew lol. My other medical problems certainly had priory, since I ended up in the hospital at 7 because of my severe auto immune condition, after that she was mostly a stay at home mom so she could give me the care that I needed and ready to run me back to the hospital if something went bad again. I also have arthritis at a early age that causes a lot of pain because of my immune condition. For years though, I really struggled to keep up in school who only classed it as some "learning disability" and didn't really offer much in the way of help, i had a hard time dealing with daily things (still do) and people who didn't understand why I couldn't be "normal". So when we finally had enough to cover the cost ourselves and my other medical issues were under control, my mom went and had me tested. I had to undergo a lot of physical therapy in that time and I have had emotional support dogs which has been great! They really help me deal with everyday life. The one I have now is a 1 year old girl named Blue, I named her that because she is a grayish blue color lol. :x

I used to work in a school as a Teaching Assistant. I have worked with two boys (at different times) who were both diagnosed with Autism and I went on lots of courses and learnt a lot about the condition. My younger daughter and I used to joke that we both had some Autistic traits but when she entered her late teens and then started University she began to exhibit worrying levels of anxiety. Eventually the University suggested she might be Autistic and she was tested and diagnosed at age 23. I was devastated that with the knowledge of the condition that I had I was still unable to pick it up myself. I think it was because when you live with someone you take it that this is just them being themselves coupled with the fact that, at the time, the perceived wisdom was that fewer girls had the condition than boys. (This is not true, it is just that girls are better at watching other people to see how they should behave/react).

Fast forward several years and my daughter has a job where the people are aware of her difficulties, she met a lovely guy who loves her for who she is and married her, and they have a daughter who is nearly two years old.

My daughter needs emotional support from time to time (unsurprisingly, she had quite bad post natal depression) but she has devised quite a lot of coping strategies.

If anyone is a fan of the TV programme The Big Bang Theory, our favourite quote is 'I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.' :)

@Nightphoenix, Aww yay! Thats awesome! :x What is his name?

And I have seen The Big Bang Theory before but its not a big favorite of mine (love the quote though, thats a good one!). Defiantly like The Good Doctor more (what is Scorpion?). Has anyone seen Psych? I love that show the most! :)

@HorseAngel

I don’t pay any of his training costs and do a pay it forward thing instead, which is amazing, but as a result my contract is very strict, so I’m sorry, but I can’t give you his name.

Scorpion is like the most amazing show EVER! I’m still furious that it got canceled :-(( Thank goodness for fanfiction :)

https://www.google.com/search?q=scorpion+tv+show&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari

I was diagnosed only a couple of years ago, as an older adult. It explained a lot of things!! I've followed Temple Grandin quite a bit, my therapist said I had a had a lot in common with her

I know dyslexia isn't the same as autism, but it is still a struggle to go through school because of it. I had one instructor in college who had dyslexia, and through sheer determination is a pilot for the coast guard. Just wanted to tell you because I want to say don't ever give up hope.

I have problems of my own, and am finding it frustrating to "fit in" with the people here, and I think I'm failing.

I second the suggestion that you read Temple Grandin's books, or watch the film about her. She's an amazing woman who changed the entire meat industry from the perspective of a cow!
And From what I can see you guys are doing great here, None of us can detect sarcasm very well here, without lots of emojis...

I'm autistic too! Discovered halfway through college. I find communicating online is easier than in person, so i love having this forum to chat on.

Is great to see so many of us here! :D