CurlyGirl
New Member
Hi there! I am new to your site and so happy to have found you!
I have a cousin who, if he's still alive would be in his 70's. Back in the day when we were kids, he was considered to be 'retarded'. That was an actual diagnosis - not a slur. He did not talk but made all kinds of strange (loud) noises, flapped his arms, etc. He was much larger than I was, and I was terrified of him. After my aunt died, he had to go into care and was re-diagnosed with ASD - non verbal. I tell you this story because that cousin formed my paradigm about what autism was.
Over the past several years I have learned that several of my grandchildren, nieces, and great nieces and nephews have been diagnosed with ASD and/or ADHD. I thought it was kinda weird that autism missed two generations - me and my siblings and my own children. It wasn't until my sister took over the care of her autistic grandson that I began to learn about autism and ADHD. Clearly - it is a whole lot more than what I had concluded based on my cousin!
After awhile, I began to look within. Could some of my own life struggles and unique ways of thinking and behaving be a reflection of being on the spectrum? I have watched YouTube videos and read an untold number of articles on the internet. I recently bought a book that guides one through self-assessment. What I was missing was the ability to ask questions - and then I stumbled on this site! I have SO many questions!!! I won't post them here, but will try to find the appropriate threads to do further explorations.
Curly Girl
I have a cousin who, if he's still alive would be in his 70's. Back in the day when we were kids, he was considered to be 'retarded'. That was an actual diagnosis - not a slur. He did not talk but made all kinds of strange (loud) noises, flapped his arms, etc. He was much larger than I was, and I was terrified of him. After my aunt died, he had to go into care and was re-diagnosed with ASD - non verbal. I tell you this story because that cousin formed my paradigm about what autism was.
Over the past several years I have learned that several of my grandchildren, nieces, and great nieces and nephews have been diagnosed with ASD and/or ADHD. I thought it was kinda weird that autism missed two generations - me and my siblings and my own children. It wasn't until my sister took over the care of her autistic grandson that I began to learn about autism and ADHD. Clearly - it is a whole lot more than what I had concluded based on my cousin!
After awhile, I began to look within. Could some of my own life struggles and unique ways of thinking and behaving be a reflection of being on the spectrum? I have watched YouTube videos and read an untold number of articles on the internet. I recently bought a book that guides one through self-assessment. What I was missing was the ability to ask questions - and then I stumbled on this site! I have SO many questions!!! I won't post them here, but will try to find the appropriate threads to do further explorations.
Curly Girl
