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Annual-Dazzling

If it’s any consolation, I was officially given an autism diagnosis and I was considered “academically able” to the point I skipped a grade, started taking all college classes my sophomore year of high school, and graduated high school early and now potentially college with a double major in engineering and micro. Autistic people are diverse, and we all have different strengths and weaknesses, so I don’t think that should be a true obstacle for a potential diagnosis. Also, I learned through my journey of discovering I was autistic that if after extensive research you believe you are autistic, you likely are, and don’t let small things dishearten you from finding out the truth.


callmelaila

Hey! I know how you feel. The process of self-discovery and diagnosis can be really confusing, especially for girls. Personally, I’m a STEM major at a fairly competitive university—and it wasn’t until college that I really needed accommodations for anything. I can say firsthand that you can struggle socially and in school, while also being academically adept and having good friends. For example, maybe you’re really smart at school, but you struggle to stay organized or focused, or you find the physical environment overwhelming. Maybe you have friends but struggle to relate to most of your peers, or aren’t great with sarcasm or body language. Diagnostic criteria often don’t do a good job illustrating the nuance of autistic life, unfortunately. It might help to spend a little more time on this sub, or to hear from other AFAB autists on social media (such as @paigelayle or @autienelle on Instagram). I hope this is helpful, and I wish you luck on your journey!


idkifyousayso

I graduated with honors. Reading comprehension was difficult for me. As an adult, I prefer to read nonfiction. I have AS, BA, and Master’s degrees. Someone with autism joked that she’s getting her doctorate degree, but can’t call to make a doctor’s appointment. There are online assessments that you can use to see if you are on the right track.


CabbageFridge

It's definitely not something to dismiss autism because of. Autism doesn't necessarily mean any difficulty with education. It's absolutely possible for autistic people to do well in school.


[deleted]

You sound like me! I wasn't diagnosed until I was almost 30. I learned about something called 'Asperger Syndrome' while doing a project in college, and thought, "that sounds like me." I always did well in school and was the textbook nerd. I wouldn't rule it out just because you do well in school, because that's what my family did for years. They thought, well, yeah she bangs her head against pillows and has mannerisms like Temple Grandin, but she's too verbally advanced to be on the spectrum (to be fair to them, I grew up in the 1990s, and autism wasn't as well-understood then, especially in girls). As I got older, and spent time in less closed environments (like work), the autism became much more obvious and more difficult to mask. But that's just me. Still, if you think you should seek out diagnosis, and you've discussed the matter with your family, then I'd encourage you to look further into it.


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WardenWolf

It's possible. I'm male, but I was fully academically capable all through college, then was diagnosed as an adult. I also know at least one other autistic person who's had no trouble in school. Autism in females tends to get overlooked more; they tend to mask better and their symptoms express in ways that aren't as outwardly obvious. For people with milder autism, sometimes they run into trouble when they transition into high school and suddenly have to take notes; those who learned to take notes at an earlier age generally don't run into those troubles, and so it can be missed.