Living with autism presents unique challenges and questions, as highlighted by Maria, a 27-year-old woman diagnosed four years ago. Maria’s experiences shed light on the complexities of navigating daily life with autism, including social interactions, sensory sensitivities, and the decision of whether or not to disclose her diagnosis to others.
Maria reflects on whether she should have announced her diagnosis on social media to provide context for her past behavior. She wonders if classmates and teachers noticed signs of autism earlier in her life, even before her dyscalculia diagnosis in 7th grade. She notes that her autism wasn’t apparent during her youth and was only diagnosed in her early twenties, a common pattern for women.
Autism, a lifelong developmental disorder, affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. Individuals with autism often experience sensory sensitivities and struggle with social skills, interpreting communication literally and finding it difficult to understand social rules. Maria shares that rule-breaking, such as cyclists disregarding traffic regulations, causes her significant stress.
The sunflower lanyard, designed to signal hidden disabilities, can be helpful for autistic individuals in certain situations. While Maria appreciates its benefits at airports, she hesitates to wear it daily due to the potential for unwanted attention. Roadwork in Copenhagen presents daily challenges for Maria as she encounters cyclists who disregard pedestrian safety, leading to anxiety.
Finding suitable housing and social connections can also be difficult. Maria recounts her brief experience on Tinder and her preference for solitude, enjoying the companionship of her cats. She stresses the need for a holistic approach to support services, rather than fragmented assistance focused on individual issues.
Maria emphasizes the importance of early intervention and comprehensive support for individuals with autism, regardless of their financial status. She spent several years outside the education and labor market due to the lack of appropriate assistance. She highlights the systemic challenges in accessing help and the need for case workers to view individuals as whole people with diverse needs.