Finally Getting your Letter | Adult Autism Diagnosis
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 19 ноя 2024
- I spent much of my youth obsessed with HP books. Today I am talking about how getting my adult autism diagnosis was a lot like finally getting my Hoggywarts letter.
Hi! I’m Claire, and this is my channel, Woodshed Theory. Here you will find the awkward ramblings of an adult autist. I love being creative and sharing my experiences with you. Subscribe to see more DIYs, Discussions, and Bunnies on your feed!
Please subscribe, I put out videos THREE TIMES PER WEEK! Thank you for visiting.
Email me, I'd love to hear from you: woodshedtheory@gmail.com
Instagram: @woodshed_theory
FACEBOOK: / woodshedtheory
All the music and sounds in my videos are from epidemicsound.com
Thumbnail was produced in Canva. B-Roll is also from Canva.
WOOO YAY!
I am expecting my letter in 2 days!
I'm 39, and the world looks much brighter through these lenses.
I was "Missed" because in 1987, being diagnosed as ADHD excluded the possibility of Autism.
It wouldn't be until 2012 that Autism, ADHD, and many other traits were allowed to be co-morbid or diagnosed and treated together with Autism
Congratulations! 🎉🎊
it really does make a difference
SO much brighter. I am happy for you!
I agree, it makes such a huge difference simply knowing.
Learning there are other aliens out there makes me feel less alien. Having a whole new vocabulary to use in thinking or talking about things is incredibly helpful.
Thanks for spreading awareness the way you do, there are too many still lost out there.
I hope these videos can help someone.
I got my letter two weeks ago at the age of 39. And it felt very validating...because I had in fact correctly diagnosed myself at the age of 12!
I'd stumbled on a magazine article about kids with Asperger's, and immediately thought: "Wow, that sounds like me!"
My parents talked me out of it, arguing that of course I was a "little professor" (the title of the article) - they were ACTUAL professors, so naturally that would rub off!
I want to give them a lot of credit, though, because they basically taught me how to find my own accommodations with out realizing that was what they were doing. They approached my weirdness with curiosity, not judgement, with them learning that I was generally following my own logical if eccentric rules, and me learning how to talk through my emotions. They let me read behind the couch or hang out in the cupboard under the stairs, encouraged my intense interests, and told me the kids who bullied me were obviously idiots. They were also really good at EXPLAINING social rules in ways I could grasp: "If you fidget and stare into the corners when people are talking, then they think you don't care about what they're saying and therefore don't care about THEM."
Are there things that might have gone better if we'd known? Maybe, though since less was known about autism at the time I don't know if it would have gone BETTER. (Having gotten forms for an English-as-a-second-language class that straight-A highschool me clearly didn't need, just because I'd checked "Hispanic" on something gives me doubts!)
But I got a good dose of "being weird is fine; there are a lot of ways to accomplish the same thing, so just do what works for you," and that carried me a long way.
I get it about 10 years ago I took a test that said I was but I didn’t think it could be true
I was diagnosed this year, at 28. Two years prior to diagnosis, I was in what now I recognize as severe burn out, and I just started googling things that I was feeling. I went through months of exploration of Highly Sensitive People and ADHD, but at the time, I said, "I couldn't possibly have autism" because I knew nothing about it really. In fact, a psychiatrist over the phone "diagnosed" me with ADHD and gave me a med to try, but it made things worse and the more I researched, the more I was convinced it wasn't ADHD, it was overlapping symptoms with autism.
When I allowed myself to research autism, I was blown away by finally finding people whose experiences were like mine. It was shocking and comforting at the same time.
Shocking and Comforting, I totally understand what you mean.
I love that the letter was being guarded by cats!!! I was in my 20's when the whole Harry Potter phenomenon started and didn't read them till later in my 20's, but it definitely became a special interest for a number of years. Also, I love that analogy (i.e. getting a late autism diagnosis is like getting your Hogwarts letter). I'm hoping to get MY letter in January or February.
P.S. I suspect I'd be a Ravenclaw, too 😊
I hope you get your letter as well my friend. I was trying to go for the cats dropping off the letter but I like how it turned out!
@@WoodshedTheory 😺
I was obsessed with HP when I was a kid and I used to daydream of getting my letter too. This video was spellbinding! You're adorable! Hope you have a great rest of week Claire and friends! 💞
Ahh you are so sweet Whitney! I think many ASD people related to this story line.
Like you I am so grateful I got my diagnoses even at 38. I finally understand myself.
same for me :) self understand is so key :)
I am so happy to have you here. I am trying to film a few costume videos this week, I hope I can do you proud!
Indeed!
You look like you’re feeling so much better!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow, does this relate hard. HP wasn’t around when I was younger, but I felt a very similar feeling about the X-Men. I was just sure that my mutant powers would manifest and then someone would come and take me to be with others like me! I’m 42 y/o and still waiting
Oh X-Men is a great example as well.
I remember seeing my first women’s autism Ted talk. It’s still so deeply personal to me that I’m very picky with who I share it with and I can’t be in the same room when they watch it because it makes me emotional.
Yeah I was a big moment for me too
The person who diagnosed me in Israel is a lovely psychologist who wrote a book about the lost generation of aspies. I wish it was available in English as it's so illuminating, particularly for so many of us who were told we're not autistic because people with autism don't look like that.. or can't do that.
Oh wow that book sounds great - I guess I could try it in Hebrew I would just need a dictionary next to me.
@@WoodshedTheory I'll be happy to send you a copy. tell where to send it
This is a brilliant and fun association. :) Got my "letter" at 38..... a few months ago. Love diving into the autistic community here on youtube. :) Was in research mode for months on end before finally getting to see the right professional (long wait list) and even though I was 99% sure beforehand, there is something very specific about having it confirmed by a professional. I also feel that it was the people around me who needed the diagnosis more than me, to be able to accept it. It does also open specific doors of accommodations and other things with an official diagnosis that you cannot access without. Thanks again for your videos Claire :)
I was so nervous getting my diagnosis cause I was so sure but I didn't want to be disappointed and have gone through all the trouble for nothing.
At 54 y/o discovering this could be a possibility on the spectrum is both terrifying and exciting bc always was expecting "a letter" also to answer all the questions about being odd and gifted in a parallel universe. Yes, we are wizards 🧚♀️ Thanks for sharing your story!
It is both terrifying and exciting - it took me a long time to process, still processing tbh
Funny… I’m a very late diagnosed autist
(69 y/O)! This is so true for me, except that I also felt on the outside, looking in regarding Harry Potter. I just couldn’t understand the story and I kept trying to read to my two young daughters. I finally gave up. This just brought back how I felt like an outsider even from Hogwarts school. But, getting my letter was quite a relief!
Thanks for sharing!
I found Harry Potter when I was 19 xD
I can also relate to getting "the letter". I'm 41 (afab) and I just recently realised and everything suddenly makes sense!! I'm happy and overwhelmed and there's still a lot of feelings to process and trying to figure out how to proceed, but my life feels changed already! I so grateful for you and other late diagnosed youtubers for sharing your stories and experiences. You helped me find me. Much love! 🥰
I’m so glad you found the channel sounds like we have some things in common!
The cats!!!! So cute and a black cat delivery seems perfectly Harry Potter.
Thanks that is what I was going for... but his speaking part was all him!
I felt the same way when I figured out I was autistic! Suddenly everything made sense! Also, since I now know of so many who are like me, I don't feel so weird anymore. Everything that others thought was weird about me is really just my neurodivergence and other neurodivergent people are similar in these same responses and experiences.
Yes I find that finding the community has helped a lot
This is me, too! Never felt like the muggles but never knew why. Now I'm 50 and have no idea where to start living authentically. I vascillate between excitedness and complete fear of what I stand to lose in the process.. BTW, if I got a real Hoggywarts letter, I'd be in Hufflepuff.
Ravenclaw here lol
great intro :) I'll probably never go for a diagnosis but learning from brave people like you helps deal with what I already know. thanks for sharing yourself
Yes, I don't feel like formal diagnosis is for everyone, esp. because of the cost and the wait.
Hi Claire, I'm waiting for my letter from Hogwarts since I was 15. But it's harder doing everything on my own, especially in this neurotypical world.
I appreciate how hard you are working and how patient you are being on your diagnosis.
Love the costume. I am too old to have been a Harry Potter fan. But I can relate to the feeling of being displaced and never quite fitting anywhere. Alas, my first evaluation said I am not Aspie…I’m not sure I agree. And since it is only based on behavior, perhaps my opinion counts.
Your opinion matters!
Your opinion totally counts!
It sure does!
A fabulous video. I am currently trying to decide whether to pursue an adult autism diagnosis. It would explain why I am how I am. As a child I love the worst witch books and was sure I was a witch, which is why I was different from my peers, I have never really got on with girls and women of my own age. I went back to college last year and found the social side a struggle, academically I was fine and always was at school. Now I am qualified in childcare I need to try to find a job in that sector but I do worry I will struggle to relate to future colleagues who are most likely going to be female. I wonder if having a autism diagnosis might help.
Thank you for making this video it really helps people like me.
Also I really love the colour of your hair in the video it looks amazing.
Oh, i am in love with this comparison! I have been so much into Harry Potter, when the first book came out i repeated reading it until i got the second book and so on... this is beautiful, you got a beautiful brain! 💛
My sister and I were very into them as children
I love your analogy! I have figured things out in the same way... I am on the fence about getting my Hogwarts letter.
Thanks for sharing
It's 5am here in the UK, I couldn't sleep, so catching up on videos. I received my diagnosis summer '21, age 47. I'm currently struggling asking for reasonable adjustments at my uni. My anxiety has been super high.
Oh wow Julie, that is hard! If I went back to Uni, I think I would pursue accommodations but it would be scary for me!
I just recently restarted treatment for my ADHD this last summer. I've been consumed with trying to learn everything that I can and have come to believe that I may very well be autistic. I'm in shock! Suddenly everything makes sense and now that I see it I can't believe this has been missed. I took an AQ test and scored a 35 which indicates significant autistic traits and that's with a lifetime of masking. I'm preparing to present this to my mental health professional this week and my primary doctor the following week. I'm really nervous.
Good luck with sharing with your doctors, I know how nerve-wracking it can be.
+WoodshedTheory *Fab alternate teaser!* Being diagnosed with Kanner's syndrome at a time when the State of California (USA) was at the foot o' the learning curve for setting up an education system for the neurodivergent - Paramount Pictures was producing _Star Trek_ (the original series) at the time - I's frustrated at the lessons learned with younger neurodivergents not being backported to the senior end of the spectrum.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Claire,
This presentation was absolutely delightful! You are beautifully creative, & I love the analogy. Your example is helping me & I'm sure many others. Thank you again, & I'm looking forward to your next video.
"Grandma" Linda, age 78
Thanks Gram!
Hey Claire! I hope you are doing ok. I was diagnosed two months ago at 47. I relate so heavily with what your saying I’ve had six children partially I think that’s down to a intense need to belong somewhere. Sending you lots of love xx
I just figured out that I am on the spectrum when one of my sons was diagnosed. It has really explained a lot but I am sad for my past self and also angry that nobody noticed or brushed off all of my struggles. All I can do is make sure that my autistic kids have the extra support that they need and are heard.
@@faeriesmak that’s exactly how I was flagged. My son’s doctor told me at his appointment to book one for myself. I now know my girls are also autistic they are so like me. One thing I promise is my children will NEVER suffer the isolation I felt all my life x x
it connects all the dots, doesn't it? had my diagnosis this year at 48 and have been a therapist for decade and a father to an autistic teen...
@@zoebowler5664 They won't! They all have each other and they have you, who understands what it is like for them!
@@LightsandVessels It really does.
I walked into my marriage with an Asperger's diagnosis. If I have a timeline of your life correct, you were already married when you were diagnosed. I'm rather curious what his reaction was to your diagnosis and how it changed your dynamic. You seem to have taken your diagnosis and run with it instead of hiding it from everyone, so I'm guessing it wasn't marriage-ending bad. Feel free not to comment, you rarely mention him on your channel so I understand if you want to keep that part of your life separate.
Interesting question.
I’m not Claire but I was married for 30 years before I got my diagnosis. My son is Autistic and I have always known that there was something different about me but never thought to check it out. Turns out that I am indeed Autistic. My husband , like me felt a sense of relief as a lot of things about me now made sense. I told most everyone I know, with varied reactions so in hindsight, I would have only told certain people had I to do it over.
@@T.T.M.60 Thank you for that, that's exactly the kind of story I was looking for.
@@madcow3417 sure.
Hi Friend, you are right I do try to keep things in my relationship separate as my main concern is my husbands privacy and preference. I think maybe one day we will see a video with him! I keep putting in your requests!
Awesome video, Claire... Spock was the one I related to as a youth...lol.
Late 60s now, self diagnosed a year and a half ago... been researching autism since... currently reading from Dr Theresa Reagan, and professor Tony Attwood...both autism specialists...
Love your videos Claire... they're very validating...(also a Harry Potter fan)
Yay! I am so glad you like the videos. Thanks for helping support my dream!
I just found out today that JKR has talked 'bad' about autism in the past but not any details. I may need to look into this. She does get dissed herself when people misinterpret what she actually has said. Still brilliant books, whatever.
(I had no idea I was ND until my mid 50s. So glad I've found out, even this late in life.)
p.s. No not a wizard - a witch... I'll leave now. (nice outfit :) )
p.p.s. music at the end got me - I'm like, where's that coming from? on the video? outside? in my head?
It doesn't surprise me to hear that, as she has some other opinions I don't agree with. ps. you're right on the witch thing pps. I was so pleased with the music i found for this.
I often hoped space aliens would come take me away to fix my perceived deficiencies. So, yes, I could really relate to this Woodshed Theory experience. Thanks for the great content!
Bill I wish the aliens would pick me up too lol
I’ve read the books from the very start. I was one of the kids my dad would take to Borders for every single release dressed as a witch eating every flavor jelly beans with bliss 😂
I love it!
Harry Potter is a good comparison I’ve also heard feeling like an alien a lot. I pretty much skipped the shocked stage all together and went straight into trying to learn more and figuring out ways to try and get support. Spoiler alert there isn’t a lot of support out there for adults. We’ll talk about that when we do the world tour episode. But support for adults is almost non existent. Am I glad that kids get a lot of support sure but doesn’t mean we can’t use some support.
When it comes to research we are lucky to have people like Jac den Houting an autistic adult with a PhD that is doing autism research we need many more Jac’s so we can drive that research ourselves and make sure that the stuff we need researched actually gets researched.
"Spoiler alert there isn’t a lot of support out there for adults." yeppppp
very important video, thank you. Wingardium leviosa!
Thank you for always supporting me!
@@WoodshedTheory you're fab
Great Video Claire.
Thank you Claire. I was really into fantasy and stories when I was younger too. My dad read the hobbit and lord of the rings to me when I was younger. I especially liked the poems in them and the character voices my dad did.
I also liked things with witches in. I watched the witches and the wizard of oz a lot as a kid. Later I liked playing final fantasy games, firstly just because my friend did, but I started to like them myself (and of course dressing up in cosplay, but I guess neurotypicals do that too). I wasn’t sure if that was something that would mean I was neurotypical because everything I have read so far says that people with autism lack imagination. I guess I’m learning that neurotypicals just make assumptions based on what they observe on the outside, but don’t really know.
I was in gifted and talented at school as well, I never found out why or for which subject or which of the two I was supposed to be. I don’t know why the school put me in that because I was never at school due to bullying. The other kids were mean because I was shy and a loner. I’m starting to wonder if I am actually shy or if that’s just a label that’s been drilled into me by other people. I’m wondering whether it’s actually selective mutism and sometimes avoiding eye contact, but I can maintain eye contact sometimes and can always maintain eye contact with cats. I do have anxiety symptoms too though.
I did weirdly feel more confident when I was at a different location meeting gifted and talented kids from other schools; although I remember one kid was wearing gloves the whole time and they stunk and I couldn’t concentrate.
I’m still awaiting a diagnosis, I don’t know if I actually have ASD, but when I see RUclipsrs who have ASD I feel like I can relate for the first time and it’s easier to listen and follow what is being talked about.
Hi Friend, you sound super cool! I hope your diagnosis process goes ok.
@@WoodshedTheory Thank you
So relatable, Claire! I don’t have an official Hogwarts letter, but I had a similar experience of stumbling across a video about autism presentation in females. All the pieces starting coming together, and I was shocked when I realized that there are other people out there like me. Thanks for doing what you do; it is important!
Thanks GHill - there are many of us out here!
Admission into AUtwarts?😅
love it :) Claire, if you ever think about it, I would love merch with that theme ;) (Especially if you do a thimble, I am a collector ;) )
OF COURSE YOU COLLECT THIMBLES - amazing! GIRL WAIT until you see my upcoming witch cabinet video ooooo you're gonna love it.
SO GOOOOOOOOD
You’re very creative!,I love the Harry Potter theming for this video!
Yay! I am so glad that you liked it.
It was a TED talk for me, too! Possibly the same one. I think I was 29 or 30. I'm 32 now.
I’m 34!
Hey Claire, which one was the TED talk you mentioned to be your eye opener? I would like to watch that too.
Hmm I will need to look it up. I think it is the one with the girl with the shaved head and glasses.
I want my letter delivered by an owl.
Does this mean we can think of neurotypicals as Muggles? 😉
Thank you. I love this analogy of finding out who we really are. Like you said I would've preferred knowing years ago.
I prefer ASC (autism spectrum condition) over ASD which makes it seem like there's something wrong with us compared to neurotypicals.
I suppose it does means we can call them muggles lol
i just discovered you, haven't watched this particular video: really liked your stuff until this one. i hope you talk about jkr's responsibility in the regular killings of trans people. harry potter was my favorite thing for my entire childhood, read each book at least four times and much more for the earlier books. but now i do not publicly engage with HP so i do not encourage the killing of trans people. please consider how people are harmed by harry potter content, since the person who profits most off of HP actively encourages hate groups to harass (and often harm and kill) trans people.
or maybe make your video an opportunity to help trans people. donating directly to trans people would be great. many activists accept donations. one suggestion is Ericka Hart.
hi aporic, thank you for the comment. i understand from your explanation why you would be upset. please note that this video was not intended anyway to promote the author or their personal (terrible) actions and beliefs. i apologize if i offended anyone and i will def. think about this moving forward.
Doby❤
Doby has given Claire a sock.
I diagnosed I fifty two and where I live Greece is taboo lost generations with all meaning.
❤ magic 🪄
Indeed!
@@WoodshedTheory my 7 Year old niece and her seven year old best friend a little boy got me into Harry Potter and they’ll be lovely and they won’t always want me to watch it with him lol
Bluey “