As a teenager I was diagnosed with ADHD (formerly ADD) and the only thing I was told about it was to take medication, but nothing about having a different neurotype and being neurodivergent. Having also been diagnosed with several other disorders, my autism was overlooked due to it presenting very different in girls and women.
In graduate school, we were taught about how it presented in children, not adults. And majority of research is from studying white boys. This leaves all girls, women, and people of color out, and a lack of education in mental health of the differences. I didn’t learn I was on the spectrum until I was in my 30’s. I have been in therapy since I was a teenager, and not one person along the way thought I could be Autistic, due to high-masking.
Over the last couple years I started exploring the possibility of being Autistic with my therapist, and pursued formal diagnosis with a psychologist.
I am Autistic, and have ADHD (AuDHD). Self-diagnosis of neurodivergence is valid due to many reasons, however I sought out formal diagnosis for my own well-being as a licensed professional. Being Autistic is very misunderstood and stigmatized, and having ADHD is commonly misdiagnosed as anxiety or depression. Working with a professional who is neurodivergent will make a world of difference in feeling seen and heard. If you are curious about being neurodivergent, I would love to support you on your journey! For therapy, I am licensed in NV and AZ. For coaching, I may support you anywhere in the world.
