Motivation behind the website.

I am an autistic adult. Some people may wonder why I am choosing to be so public with my diagnoses and with my journey in general. The reason is simple: I want to drive awareness of Autism/Aspergers Syndrome to a select group of struggling adults who may, like myself, have flown under the radar for their entire lives. Since ASD’s were not typically diagnosed in the people of my generation and older there are many people out there who may be affected but who do not know it. Now that we have more knowledge about ASD’s, more and more adults are being diagnosed on the spectrum. Some of our children have been diagnosed, and as a result it may prompt us to explore the possibilities for ourselves. Whatever leads you to YOUR suspicions about your own diagnosis matters not. It’s what you do about those suspicions that matters. Just know that a proper diagnosis can serve many purposes.

 

• It can give sorely needed answers as to WHY some people ARE the way that they ARE.
• It serves to afford new opportunities for personal growth, self-realization, and new possibilities.
• It can open new doors with regards to getting the help that one needs, such as therapy, support, environmental modifications, etc…
• It can help to repair broken relationships from the past – or at the very least, explain them and provide the parties with some closure.
• It allows a newly diagnosed AS Adult to actually plan for their future realistically and with great promise.
• It can provide a form of vindication in many cases, for the wrongs of the past – and hope for an easier future.

 

 

This is about a ten minute video sort of giving you what is (believe it or not) the condensed version of my own autism story, as well as an introduction to the website and what I hope to accomplish here. Please feel free to send me correspondence via my contact form.

Who, Me? Autistic? – An Adult Woman, Diagnosed with Autism from WhoMe Autistic on Vimeo.

 

To Whom It May Concern:
I am a single, 46-year-old woman. I have a form of high-functioning autism. I have struggled since infancy with multiple sensory issues and social/communication problems. Growing up in the late 60’s and throughout the 70’s and early 80’s - there were no “autism diagnoses. It was obvious that I was a bright child, but they really had no idea why I had the issues that I had. I was finally officially diagnosed this past fall via the GA Dept. of Labor’s Vocational Rehabilitation program’s recommended doctors. Another doctor has since confirmed. I am now receiving limited free services from Lookout Mountain Community Clinic for my related diagnoses (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, ADHD, and Dysthemia), as they do not specialize in autism.

I live in a house that’s in my name, but my Dad who is 84 pays the house note, as well as the utilities for me with his social security check. He himself was recently diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma and is currently receiving treatment. (Thankfully, he has insurance and Medicare.) I am on Food Stamps. I receive no income other than the occasional freelance web design job - which I can do from my home, and those are few and far between. 

In December of 2009, I was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma. I had surgery to remove part of my left kidney. At that time, I was denied any type of govt. assistance - we tried, and appealed. We were told it was because I was only sick for 8 months out of 12. As a result, my credit is ruined and I have thousands of dollars in unpaid medical bills, which have gone to collections and show up on my credit report as such (as opposed to showing up as medical debt.) A direct result is that I have been unable to obtain a job, since most employers now screen for credit issues. The only types of jobs I could have would either be working from home, or in a private office shared with no other people (and with no fluorescent lighting) due to my sensory issues. I also do not communicate on the telephone very well as I have some receptive language problems. I do much better in writing or in person.

In short, my life is a mess - I have no job, no insurance, and no money - but I DO have faith in Jesus Christ, and I firmly believe (as we are told in Matthew 21:22) that if I pray, believing that He will help me - then help will arrive someday. I very much want and NEED to work and am willing to do whatever I am physically, developmentally and emotionally able to do in order to earn an income. I have started a website for my freelance business (http://www.grapejuicemedia.com) and hope to take in as much web design work as I am physically able to do on my own, but know that this is not a permanent solution as it does not offer any sort of benefits or retirement options. I know that my father will not be around forever, and I need to plan for my future. I am quite anxious about this - but again, I trust in the Lord to help me. His will shall be done. Until then, I will do the best that I can each and every day to better myself, advocate and educate. I hope in some way that I will make a difference, however small, in this huge world in which we live.

Peace to all…
Jan

 

 

Autistic Adults

If there ARE other newly diagnosed, or as of yet undiagnosed adults out there, I want my blog to help you understand that YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

 

Also know that if you DO get diagnosed, it is always entirely your choice whether or not to go public about it. It’s no one’s business but your own. You may find yourself wanting to shout it from the rooftops, as I did – OR – you may find yourself feeling a bit embarrassed. That’s OK. There is no real “normal” there. Every autistic person is different, even autistic adults. Sometimes opening up to significant others, family members, children, and employers/co-workers can definitely be to your benefit. In most cases those who are closest to you should be supportive and want to help you in any way possible. In a perfect world, every autistic adult would have a very strong support system in place – but unfortunately that is not always the case. If you are struggling and you need some support – PLEASE talk to SOMEONE. Even if your family is not supportive, there are MANY online resources (I have links listed in the sidebar to the right) and you may even be able to find a local support group where you can meet and get to know others in similar situations. Whatever you do, do not carry your burden/blessing (and yes, it can be BOTH) alone!

It may be that you actually need to have some modifications made in the workplace. Having legal documentation can really help matters in those instances – so getting a formal diagnosis CAN be very helpful. However, you may want to simply ride through life content in the knowledge that you are different and making your own peace with it. Whatever you decide to do, it is ultimately YOUR decision and yours alone! Everyone is different, and certainly everyone with an ASD is different. There is a very astute saying going around that says “If you’ve met one person on the spectrum, you’ve met one person on the spectrum…” because every case of ASD is so very unique. Just be yourself, love you for who you are, and live how you are most comfortable.

I share my journey, experiences, insight, links, and other related things on this blog because writing is an area in which I excel – and as such, I felt as if sharing all of this with other potential “lost Aspies” could be a very helpful thing. If I can reach even ONE adult out there who has fallen between the cracks their whole life and needs to move forward with becoming diagnosed, then I will feel like a success.

Lastly, you will see that I do have a few links on here, some of which DO monetize this blog (or at least, I hope they will.) However, I don’t put links on here for items that I haven’t actually tried. The links you see on this website are for books I have actually read, or products that I have actually tried, or use on a daily basis with my own therapy. Just keeping it real, folks… I felt the need to let you know up front that I do stand to make a tiny percentage off the sales of these items I have listed or linked on here. While I do need the money, the more important thing is that you get the right equipment and read the right books to help you understand Aspergers and Autism a bit better. That’s all. If you can find these items elsewhere locally, or cheaper somewhere else, then I applaud you! That’s awesome! I just want all of my fellow autistic adults to be able to get the help that they need, however they can! If I can be of any help, please don’t hesitate to write to me. My contact page is on this website and you can also follow me on Twitter!