zlacker

As a diagnosed autistic, I think I would ask -- does ticking these boxes make you feel like, "oh shit, this could explain some difficulties..." or just go, "huh, interesting?"

I tend to invite people to think about how their lives have been impacted. For example, I experience anxiety at late invites to events I'd enjoy. I panic and decline them because I'm experiencing a highly irrational anger fear response to changing schedules. This causes me to miss events I would otherwise enjoy, and then I feel guilty. Having to process all those feelings takes a lot of energy, and it's really draining. That has significant impact on my life.

Compare to a friend of mine who just prefers quiet evenings. She declines things all the time but never gives it a second thought.

Disability vs preference. It's ok if it's either! Neither of us are wrong, we just experience different impacts in our lives.

>>spectr+(OP)
Well, I exiled myself to the countryside because I want to be able to choose how much exposure to society I want.

I guess I gamed the problems you are talking about, but as a side effect I am sometimes probably weirder than before (which is a non problem when you live where I live).

I would probably live a sad and boring life if I were to live in any small/medium/big city.

>>spectr+(OP)
Yeah, exactly. Having an ADHD diagnosis has been incredibly helpful, because now I can make much more accurate predictions on what is likely to be difficult and figure out strategies.

It can really be the difference between struggling with or enjoying a situation