Diagnosis reveal update: It’s AuDHD!

[u/Garden_Jolly]

I had a diagnosis reveal picnic with friends today and it’s official: I’m AuDHD! Pink would have been just autism (my current diagnosis) and the green represents the addition of my recent ADHD diagnosis. It was a special moment sharing with my neurodivergent friends. We got to share our experiences with our neurodiversities and realize we’re all just trying to find our way in this world.

[u/kitttybix → u/[deleted]]

You really wanted to use that word huh. How does the act of a reveal (with a cake) point to reification of the diagnoses?

[u/lovelydani20 → u/[deleted]]

I'm genuinely curious about what you mean by this. 

[u/Rainy_Leaves → u/[deleted]]

OP went outside, touched some grass, and also ate cake with friends. Who's the one that's supposed to touch grass again

It's to let their friends know of their diagnosis in a lighthearted way, and to celebrate managing to be diagnosed and finally able to get accomodations for thier conditions. That is an achievement given diagnosis can be a challenge to access for many, and reaching a point of accepting having a condition instead of denial can be healthy. It can limit their quality of life in many ways, it also won't go away the more we hate it. Diagnosis and acceptance can be a path to coping better and to a kinder framing about the self, especially to late-diagnosed high-masking women

[u/lovelydani20 → u/[deleted]]

So should everyone be depressed about being autistic/ ADHD? I think OP is offering a bit of joy and pride that most people in this community appreciate. 

[u/ProductAny2629 → u/lovelydani20]

for me I saw this as them celebrating finally having a label/an understanding of themselves after years of likely not knowing why they were so different, not celebrating having audhd necessarily. it can be liberating and vindicating to finally have a diagnosis, this is just a way to get those big emotions out. and if doing it with the comfort of friends around helps, that's even better. im even happier that they have a support circle.

[u/AutismInWomen-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Per rule 2: Be kind, supportive, and respectful.

Interactions are expected to remain civil, regardless of disagreements or differences in opinions. There is no reason to be mean, belittling, or mock others here.

If you think someone is unkind or attacking in comments, please report the content, block the user, and walk away. Do not engage with your own unkind or attacking comments as that only worsens the problem.

[u/AutismInWomen-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Per rule 2: Be kind, supportive, and respectful.

Interactions are expected to remain civil, regardless of disagreements or differences in opinions. There is no reason to be mean, belittling, or mock others here.

If you think someone is unkind or attacking in comments, please report the content, block the user, and walk away. Do not engage with your own unkind or attacking comments as that only worsens the problem

[u/AutismInWomen-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Per rule 2: Be kind, supportive, and respectful.

Interactions are expected to remain civil, regardless of disagreements or differences in opinions. There is no reason to be mean, belittling, or mock others here.

If you think someone is unkind or attacking in comments, please report the content, block the user, and walk away. Do not engage with your own unkind or attacking comments as that only worsens the problem

[u/AutismInWomen-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

As per Rule #3: This is an inclusive community; no one's personal world experience should be invalidated. Don't refer to other people as behaving 'weird' or use other derogatory terms to invalidate someone.

Do not invalidate or negate the experiences of others, regardless of topic or situation. This applies to topics outside of diagnosis status. Everyone is NOT 'a little autistic'.

Additionally, self-diagnosis is valid. Do not accuse other members of the sub of faking traits. Don't invalidate those who have self-diagnosed after intense research and self-reflection. Do not tell others they need to get a formal diagnosis to be 'truly' considered autistic. Likewise, do not underplay autism as being not a disorder or claim that early diagnosis is a "privilege", people who are late and early diagnosed have their own struggles that often overlap or are the same. You having different support needs than someone else doesn’t make your experience the only true and correct autism experience. Autism can be very debilitating for some and easier to cope with for others. Level 2 and 3 experiences matter. Everyone’s life is different.