u/Hungry_Neighborhood2

I've just been asking Gemini about this and they said

"Frustration around private or self-diagnosed autism often stems from long NHS waiting lists, perceived privilege in bypassing the system, and concerns over validity. While public health routes face massive delays, private assessments offer faster answers for a fee, creating a complex debate over equity, gatekeeping, and the validity of non-NHS care."

I'm not trying to be antagonising, but most services in the UK won't accept private diagnoses. I read here a lot about how stressful their diagnosis was, and I think it's mostly private diagnoses. It's a hell of a lot worse on the NHS and I just don't know how it's comparable?

I was on a waiting list for 2 years and had to wait for CBT before they told me it wouldn't work for me and then had four suicide attempts before I got assessed?

So, I'm autistic and I really want to talk about Toc. I really vibe with his mindset and way of speaking.

Can anyone help me with me looking for other dudes? I've tried several apps but they all end up in paywalls. I realise this is not a dating community, but any pointer would be great? I've tried Grindr and Hiki - not good.

I just don't' meet anyone in real life that would be suitable...!

I was listening to one of my favourite songs this morning, Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land by Marina (lyrics below) and it got me thinking. Surely in the past when we were hunters/gathers, autistic people would be so valuable and probably revered in any hunting or scouting party. Our hypersensitivities and ability to recognise sounds, smells and tastes that others might overlook would be so useful. While I doubt we would be the person doing the actual hunting or gathering, we would surely be the ones to point out when the other members of the party need to be ready to engage, search an area or forage. Being relatively newly diagnosed, this thinking has really helped me to recognise some of the positive attributes that my differently wired brain has awarded me.

>Our ancestors had to fight to survive
Just so we could have a chance of a life
We're not here so we can blow it all
We could bear witness to the rise and the fall

>Ancient dreams in a modern land
I'm trying to get back as fast I can
Back to a time before I had form
Back to a time before I was born

>You don't have to be like everybody else
You don't have to fit into the norm
You are not here to conform
I am here to take a look inside myself
Recognize that I could be the eye, the eye of the storm

>I am not my body, not my mind or my brain
Not my thoughts or feelings, I am not my DNA
I am the observer, I'm a witness of life
I live in the space between the stars and the sky