How did you find out that you are autistic?
I am just curious cause some of the listeners have asked me if I am autistic.
@tryingtosurvive2024 I got tested around 6 I think, and found out at 15 Maybe? I had ADhd and started to take medication for it
@sallymae3459 Did the medication help you?
@tryingtosurvive2024, yes, I was off it in 2011 and went back on it in 2014 was struggling in college
@sallymae3459 Did your medication raise your blood pressure? Did you need to see your doctor for Monthly checkups?
@tryingtosurvive2024 No, it hasn't, and yes, I do for refills
@sallymae3459 When my doctor tested me out on the medication He wanted me to come for a checkup once a month. My blood pressure gets too high very easily.
@tryingtosurvive2024, right okay, I have high blood pressure,e but it's not related to ADHD
@sallymae3459 I don't think it ever is. Mine is heredity. Cause I was just 120 lbs, at the age of 17 and mine was 200 over 100. The doctors tested me and couldn't figure why it was running so high.
@tryingtosurvive2024 My Gynecologist was the one who found out I had high blood pressure at around 23. I am now 30 and thriving with the meds
@sallymae3459 I saw two doctors who told me that I couldn't be treated for it because of my high blood pressure.
@tryingtosurvive2024 I got diagnosed at 14. I kinda already suspected it though.
@Petertrgd When and Who diagnosed you?
@tryingtosurvive2024 I was diagnosed by a physiologist in a children's hospital
@Petertrgd *Psychologist
@Petertrgd how old were you when you were diagnosed? Did they put you on any medication for it? I'm just trying to learn as much as I can, in case I have it too.
@tryingtosurvive2024 I was 14 at the time. I didn't take any medication and I never will, even of someone tell me to.
@Petertrgd I would if I needed it to survive.
@tryingtosurvive2024 in most cases (mine included) you don't need to take anything
Controversial but *** 😂
A lot on *** resonated with me and after doing a few online tests, I saw a psychiatrist who screened me and referred me for testing but I haven't done that yet for a few reasons.
I'm pretty confident in my self diagnosis, it's been over a year. I am still struggling to figure out what accommodations I can give myself and how to drop my 38 year old mask!
@Qualiajs One of the reasons why I'm asking my question is because whenever someone online, here, on 7cups asks me about my learning disability, it is like: how do you know you have it? Some have even asked me if I'm autistic or not. Have I been tested? It's a pain in the butt to get tested.
It is a pain in the butt to get tested! That's one of the reasons I haven't been. The cost is huge too. Most members of the autistic and adhd communities recognise the validity of self diagnosis because generally you don't just read one article or do one quirky thing and decide you are autistic, generally we go through a lot of different tests online, consume many articles and do a lot of introspection to come to that conclusion.
You call it a learning disability though, can I ask what you mean by that?
@Qualiajs At school, I was 7 years old, in 1987 I was diagnosed with a learning disability but they didn't give me a name for it. Back then a lot of stuff was new. They put me in a L.D. program which stands for learning disability. Beyond that I can not define it for you but google AI can!
AI Overview
Learning disabilities are neurological differences that can make it challenging to learn or process information in specific areas like reading, writing, or math. These differences can impact a person's ability to acquire and retain information, even with adequate instruction and support. While people with learning disabilities may have average or above-average intelligence, they may struggle with specific skills or tasks.
Here's a more detailed look at learning disabilities:
What they are:
Neurological differences:
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Learning disabilities stem from variations in how the brain functions, affecting how information is processed and learned.
Specific skill difficulties:
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Individuals with learning disabilities may experience challenges with reading, writing, spelling, math, organization, time management, and other areas.
Not related to intelligence:
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Learning disabilities are not a reflection of a person's intelligence level, but rather a difference in how the brain works.
Early intervention:
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Early identification and intervention can help minimize the impact of learning disabilities and support individuals in developing strategies for success.
Examples of learning disabilities:
Dyslexia:
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A reading disability that affects a person's ability to read accurately and fluently.
Dysgraphia:
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A writing disability that makes it difficult to form letters and write legibly.
Dyscalculia:
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A math disability that makes it hard to understand and process math concepts.
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD):
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A learning disability that affects a person's ability to process and understand spoken language.
Non-verbal learning disorders:
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These can affect a person's ability to understand social cues, follow multi-step instructions, and coordinate movements.
Impact and support:
Academic challenges:
Learning disabilities can significantly impact a student's ability to succeed in school, but with the right support, they can still achieve their potential.
Individualized support:
Teachers, parents, and other professionals can work together to create individualized plans that address a student's specific needs and provide appropriate accommodations and interventions.
Focus on strengths:
It's important to recognize and build on a student's strengths and develop compensatory strategies to address their areas of difficulty.
Advocacy and support:
Advocacy groups and organizations, like the Learning Disabilities Association of America and the National Center for Learning Disabilities, provide resources and support for individuals with learning disabilities and their families.
I only ask because it's not classified as a learning disability so I was interested in knowing why you used those terms. It's amazing how much things have changed in the past 5 years even. I personally don't think that means that it is without challenges but more that the school system doesn't account for any differences. Or society in general to be honest.
@Qualiajs It seems that some people have both a learning disability and autism. Some of the listeners have asked me if I have autism.