r/AutismCertified

I figured out I don’t view it as valid because. Self-diagnosis can be useful for noticing patterns in myself and deciding when to seek help, but it isn’t reliable as a final answer when things are complex and overlapping. In my case, the combination of developmental differences and a genetic condition means that self-observation only ever captures part of the picture, and it can easily lead to incomplete or inaccurate conclusions. Because of that, understanding what is going on for me depends more on professional assessment and genetic information than on self-diagnosis alone.. But interestingly enough none were technically wrong just incomplete. My Actual diagnoses didn't even exist when I tried to self diagnose. Or couldn't be diagnosed together

My whole life feels like I've been looking for my part of the puzzle. My part where I fit in and can belong. Because of behavior and just pure social ignorance it seems the that what I want most I will never get to have or experience. Because it seems left here in the real world all I do or say misses the mark where everyone just walks away. I can't remember the last time I felt really close to someone or even felt what it is like to truly have a friend. Sure there are people I talk to some but it doesn't feel like the friendship I want or see others get to have. It feels like they are there to be kind.

Everytime I get a number of a potential new friend it never lasts or pans out to something. It quickly dies before it even began. My super power if I had one seems to be repulsion.

Like tonight and every time I watch a movie where people make friends and get to enjoy the richness of that connection that come with truly getting to know and enjoy people I become sad because it something I always searched for always wanted but because of autism and being socially dysfunctional I never found. I always feel like I am on the outside looking in. Wondering what it is like to be like them. To know what it is like to truly be loved instead of the overwhelming amount of judgement hatred and rejection I received over the years.

Just once have someone see me and beyond the monster and behavior and ignorance of social norms and truly see me. Taking me as I am. Where I truly can experience love from others. A lot of this feels like wishing for money to rain down from heaven. Because these kind of relationships have been the elusive shadow I have chased and tried to grab at for a lifetime.

Hi all!

I (an autistic woman myself) am conducting a research in my university regarding autistic camouflaging and mental health, and I would appreciate your participation!

https://preview.redd.it/37wg93euh21h1.jpg?width=1241&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=be12c5caf8e80ea4a56b55c5e2524ffec613da89

Research Title: Camouflaging Behavior and Mental Health in Autistic Adults: Examining the Roles of Perceived Social Support, Self-Concept and Self-Acceptance

Maastricht University, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience

Purpose:

This research is about the relationship of masking/camouflaging behavior in autistic people and their mental health, and the mechanisms that mediate this relationship. The factors which we want to investigate are aspects of the self and social support.

Participant selection:

This study regards people 16 years or older who have a formal Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis without co-occurring intellectual disability, and are fluent in the English language.

Procedure:

You will be asked to fill out an online questionnaire, with the survey lasting approximately 10-15 minutes.

Data handling:

The study is anonymous and no personal data will be stored. Research data can be published and re-used in other research, but only in such a way that they cannot be traced back to you. For the duration of the study, the data will be stored confidentially, on university servers and will only be accessible by the researchers.

 

More information is available in the information and consent form in the study.

Link to the study: https://maastrichtuniversity.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a2vuFD4kHiIf8A6

The study will be available from: 14/05/2026 – 14/10/2026

I aim to follow up and share the study results once it has been successfully conducted, as I understand the importance of these topics not only being researched, but also shared with the public.

 

Contact:

Alexandra Varouxi (Master’s student)

alexandra.varouxi@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Dr. Johannes Stauder (Responsible researcher)

h.stauder@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Ethics Review Committee Psychology and Neuroscience Reference Code: OZL_248_06_02_2022_S43

Hello, I am an autistic parent with adhd myself and I have an almost 3 year old and a month old baby. I've always struggled with loud environments and sometimes it happens that my toddler or newborn trigger overstimulation due to the noise level or my toddler pulling at me etc. I love being a mom and I love them with my whole heart.

How do you deal with this type of overstimulation?

Did you find ways to maybe even prevent it?

When did it get better in terms of a young child accepting your boundaries? If I tell my toddler to stop pulling my clothes for example they usually will have a "tantrum"

As of writing this it’s the night before I go to Manchester for a concert, where I’ll be staying overnight. And even though I should be excited, all I can feel is nerves for being in a different city, staying in a different place and sleeping in a different bed. I get homesick very easily, and I know it must be down to my autism because it’s the reason I resent change so much. I can’t really deal with any small changes to my routine, let alone something like this which feels huge. But as an adult you’re not “meant” to get homesick, and I hate that I can’t even enjoy something as exciting as a concert like everyone else does.

If anybody has some tips on how to deal with this, or is in the same boat of being a very homesick adult, I’d really appreciate a comment either way 🥲

Welcome to this week's special interest discussion thread! Use this comment section to share about your special interests or current hyper-fixations!