> It often makes me think about such diagnoses and how insular/individualistic they can often be, and how powerless they can leave one feeling when diagnosed.

> It often makes me think about such diagnoses and how insular/individualistic they can often be, and how powerless they can leave one feeling when diagnosed. Powerlessness was the furthest thing from my mind when I was diagnosed. Having a classification means that you have options and measures and an implicit community. I always suspected I was on the spectrum, but the diagnosis gave me access to professionals who specialise in these conditions. > If you're 'on the spectrum' but your symptoms are mediated by partner/family/culture, are you still on the spectrum? Yes, 100% yes, completely, utterly yes. Having coping strategies are great. Having the "tools in the toolbelt" is completely necessary and being able to "pass" is critical. But ASD is a problem with managing stimulation and all the behavioural controls in the world aren't going to do squat to your frustrations, mood or exhaustion levels if you spend the day with overloaded inputs.