I have autism and this fact has disturbed me greatly for some time, to the point its led me to some dark paths. I just want to know if I can actually live a normal life with it or am I doomed to be a weirdo forever?

  • FuglyDuck@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    8 months ago

    Everyone is a weirdo. But I dont think you’re doomed to be defined by autism. I know a few people that you’d never know if they didn’t say something.

    I would encourage you to find people who also have autism and get talking with them; I’m not going to pretend to be able to give anything more specific than that.

    Having someone who’s been in your shoes; and can actually give real advice is invaluable.

    • AlissaSameer@lemmy.worldOP
      0·
      8 months ago

      I would love to get to know more autistic people but I dont think theres a lot at my uni or in social circles in my city. Ill have to look

      • Risk@feddit.uk
        0·
        8 months ago

        There will no doubt be more than you think - if there isn’t a neuro divergent society at your uni, you could start one?

        At the very least there’s loads of neurodivergent communities on lemmy to get involved with.

        !autism@lemmy.world for starts

        Also worth checking out communities for ADHD and neurodivergence generally - there’s a lot of overlap to find stuff within.

      • then_three_more@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        10%-20% of the population is neurodivergent. Probably more with how chronically under diagnosed both ASD and ADHD have been in women. Some of the people you know may well be in the spectrum and either don’t know it themselves or are masking.

        I’d reach out to your student services, see if there’s any groups.

        I’d also look for uni societies that relate to your special interests.