If you've met one Autistic, you've met... one Autistic.

This is by no means a generalized profile.  These are all traits specific to being Autistic that were identified through my personal diagnosis process and hyperfocused research of Autism when it first came to my attention that I am Autistic.

It's good to know our traits; it is immensely helpful in learning how to best accommodate ourselves and what supports we need; and to embrace who we are at our core selves; under all the masking.

With us Autistics, certain traits are much more prominent than others. Depending on the environment we live in and what our day to day looks like, it can be especially hard dealing with the sensory and social issues.  Some aspects are debilitating, especially when attempting to live as a Neurotypical.  

Many Autistics also have co-existing diagnoses (I myself received a quadruple diagnosis), which adds layers to the story.

Each and every Autistic is different.  That is why it's called a "Spectrum".  

The DSM Category splits the Autism diagnosis into levels. Level One Autistics have the lowest amount of support needs, but yet do not suffer less than a Level Two.  It's important to recognize that being a Level One can be so completely debilitating, and yet we are expected to look and act Neurotypical.  It's completely invalidating and dangerous to the personhood of a Level One Autistic.  This is something untold numbers of Autistics, aware / diagnosed or not, are doing daily.  This leads to burnout, exhaustion, meltdowns, identity issues, addictions, and trauma.

When I received my diagnosis, it was an amazingly positive experience.  SO MANY seemingly unrelated pieces of my life had come together under one umbrella and it had a name!  SO MANY things suddenly made sense, and were suddenly okay somehow, because there was a reason behind it.  

My diagnosis led to so much forgiveness and the ability to move on from so much trauma, and has also given me permission to be myself.  It has given me insight as to why I struggle in certain ways and what I can do about it.  

And so much more.