Neurodivergent People Are Sharing When They Found Out They Had Autism Spectrum Disorder

    April is now Autism Acceptance Month.

    Andria Moore
    by Andria Moore

    BuzzFeed Staff

    According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 270 people have ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).

    Skynesher / Getty Images

    ASD is the encompassing term used to define those with varying levels of autistic characteristics.

    Recently, many autistic people have taken to TikTok to share their own experiences with being diagnosed with ASD.

    Emily (@emi2d2) wasn't diagnosed until her late teenage years and says she initially went to a psychiatrist "because [she] was struggling."

    @emi2d2

    Answer to @justanothercinnamonbun talk to a psychiatrist if you think you might be neurodivergent. #actuallyautistic #autismdiagnosis #autismtiktok

    ♬ original sound - emily
    Recent CDC data shows just how many people — especially Black and Latinx individuals — live undiagnosed with autism until much later in life.

    Unlike Emily, Tim (@blackautisticking) has known he was autistic since he was 5 years old. In his video, Tim says that growing up he had some "issues" with his social skills but learned to accept himself thanks to "love and compassion" from his family and friends.

    User @autistickfigures says she went undiagnosed with autism until later in life, despite the many signs she displayed as a child, such as being "very particular" about certain procedures in her life and "constantly picking" at her skin.

    And @hxris.h, who wasn't diagnosed with autism until age 16, talked about what it was like being bullied in school as a child before his diagnosis, saying, "Even the teachers used to make fun of me."

    @madsbutt only very recently received an autism diagnosis. Prior to the diagnosis, they always felt like they were "too sensitive" or "bad" or "needed to suck it up."

    Davon (@oneausomemom) wasn't diagnosed with autism until age 30 and is now raising a neurodivergent daughter as well.

    @eizawolfe shared the difficult path she had to take for her to receive an autism diagnosis. Because her insurance wouldn't cover the diagnosis, she ended up going through Embrace ASD, an outside clinic.

    @eizawolfe

    this was the process i went through, but it may be different depending on your circumstances!! #actuallyautistic #autistic #foryou #foryoupage

    ♬ Morning Routine - Sunday Morning Jazz

    Natalie-Ann (@tomboy_natzz) said they "would spend all day screaming" as a child and was diagnosed with autism at 2 years old.

    Some videos, like this one from @kerrymagro, focus on all the ways people can overcome society's expectations of autistic individuals. He explains how his childhood development may have felt delayed but he quickly accelerated later in life and became an author at only 25.

    So in light of National Autism Awareness Month, keep in mind you never know what another person is going through!

    NBC / Via giphy.com

    If you or someone you know is looking for resources on ASD, you can find information here at Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Autism Society, or National Autism Association.