You are autistic. What does that mean?
- Lii Brooke
- Sep 8, 2024
- 2 min read
When you first realise you are autistic, whether through self-identification or formal assessment, it can be an unsettling time figuring out what autism means to you. This may involve renegotiating relationships and perhaps even reviewing how you go about life.
My personal experience of coming to terms with neurodivergence has been that I certainly did not see myself as disabled in any way. Even the social model of disability in relation to the autistic neurotype did not sit well with me. I equally did not subscribe to the pathology-informed view of autism as a condition to be endured.
But what is this self-knowledge of "not"? What was I instead?
I have my strengths--focus, determination, dedication to learning, visual perception, creativity. And there is a lot I am not good at--maths, physical coordination, patience, group work and more. Given this, I have got on with life the best I could.
Eventually I settled on just sticking with the facts. I am Lii and I happen to be autistic. Being me is being autistic. It is the entirety of my experience, how I sense the world, understand it and interact with it.
I am unique but I am not alone in my differences from the majority. There is a sizeable segment of the world population, whose experience of life is broadly-speaking similar to mine.
Autism is often seen through the lens of "deficits", which arguably could be considered the reverse sides of autistic strengths. For example, difficulty with neurotypical social interaction may also mean self-sufficiency and ability to happily spend long periods of time in one's own company.
I sincerely hope with greater proactive involvement of autistic people in research into autism, the balanced, neurodiversity-affirmative perspective will prevail. It is the view that allows us self-understanding through positive differences.
What do you make of the current perspectives on autism? Which one makes sense to you? Is there a view that you find particularly useful?
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My name is Lii. I am an autistic counsellor, supporting autistic professionals in navigating all aspects of life. Start with strengths and see possibilities, start with struggles and see limitations. Which do you choose?
In-person in Chalfont St Giles, near Gerrards Cross, or online across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Book your free 15 mins introductory call.
