u/ArcaneGalaxy42

Hello! I am somewhat newly diagnosed (2 years) and I don't have a lot of contact with the autism community outside seeing some posts here on this subreddit, my autistic best friends, my mom (who actually helped diagnose me) and the usual social media jokes.

I am somewhat "hyper verbal", to the point of being called "Shrek's Donkey" as a kid (because he is a character that speaks too much).

But, I have "episodes" that happen after a particular difficult crisis/meltdown/shutdown where I "go non verbal" and until my diagnosis I couldn't understand it. It is not that I don't want to speak (that does happen but it's more connected to over sensitivity), it is that I just cannot speak after a bad meltdown or shutdown.

Because of my lack of community, but being chronically online, I have learned that "going non verbal" is a term that sparks a lot of discussion. That is why I am asking for help to understand, or be presented, to a term that actually supports this situation that happens to me without upsetting anyone. Is "verbal shutdown" more appropriate than "going non verbal"?

Sorry about anything! I am truly scared of posting here but needed the advice.

Hello! Sorry if this is not the goal of the community, I'm very new here.

I was just diagnosed as gifted after months of tests and talks. I'm feeling very weird. For a long time in my life I thought I was very smart, but I have such a strong inferiority complex and imposter syndrome that I never believe in myself. I was always a prodigy anywhere I went up until college, when I fucked up my entire life. I failed every class I could by now showing up, because I always had panic attacks. Ended up with an autism diagnosis at 23. Still skipped all my classes, but somehow was always the best student in the ones I was able to go. Now, this year, a new psychologist decided to investigate giftedness. Well, long story short, we just finished it today.

I feel lost. I should be feeling happy, right? I am smart! I have a high potential! Yet I don't know if I want it (some personal traumas and bullying as the cause).

I want to ask maybe is if any of you felt like that? After finding out as an adult you are gifted. Or if you have any advice, any book I could read that would help me understand all of this.

Thanks in advance!