FAQ

What is autism?

According to the DSM-5:

  • Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, as manifested by the following, currently or by history.
  • Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as manifested by at least two of the following, currently or by history.
  • Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities, or may be masked by learned strategies in later life).
  • Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning.

When were you diagnosed with autism?

I was very interested in psychology when I was a kid, and because of this, I read a lot of books on autism. I took notes on characteristics, and a large number of them aligned with how I am and how I interact with others and the world. This was when I was 12 or 13 years of age (2008 or 2009). My family had to save up for some time, then I had my evaluation and was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) when I was 16 in 2013.

Why do you say “autistic?” I thought it was “person with autism.”

I identify more with “autistic” (identity first language) over “person with autism” (person first language) because ASD impacts every aspect of who I am. If I was not autistic, I wouldn’t be me. Autism isn’t something that is separate of me. Similar to how I am a woman, I am autistic. I am not a “person with womanness,” I am a woman. I am not a “person with autism,” I am autistic. (I respect individuals who prefer person first language and will refer to them as such when requested)

How can you be autistic? You’re (characteristic).

Most autistic portrayals in the media are young white males. In reality, autistic people can be any gender, race, etc. There’s a misconception that all autistic people are children, but children actually grow up and autism doesn’t go away. It is a neuro-developmental disorder that is present from birth to death.