I'm so glad you enjoyed reading this letter! I've loved talking with autistic friends about the concept of a self care/congratulations on being autistic kit! I love the idea of friends/family gifting such a package. That truly would be so amazing to receive :)
Your point about the importance of self-kindness really hit home for me
I held back from applying for Disability benefits out of shame and a flagelatting impulse, telling myself that I didn't deserve benefits, or that I just needed to work harder to better myself
It wasn't until I finally applied for benefits that a Psychiatrist evaluated me and diagnosed me with Autism. Then I got a referral to an Autism specialist, and he confirmed the diagnosis
So if I had given myself kindness, we could have found this missing piece of my mental health years ago. The specialist who treats me even said that he wished he could have examined and helped me long ago
So folks, give yourself the kindness you deserve even when part of you thinks you don't deserve any. Because you deserve kindness
Thank you for this comment and for your sharing your own experiences :) I'm glad my post felt uplifting and I enjoyed hearing about your experiences-as well as your reminder to give ourselves kindness. We truly do deserve kindness. I feel like it's always great to have a reminder of that, so thank you!
This was a great read! Being 21 and newly diagnosed I thought, “well at least I have the rest of my life ahead of me, but my childhood could have been so much different.”
I still hold some feelings of anger, I wish my family noticed more. But this journey of discovering myself has also shown me that my family couldn’t even notice it about themselves, so I had to be the change.
Would love it if you had any pieces about the disbelief from others. I’ve had many people straight up tell me that I don’t “seem” autistic, but somehow the adhd part is more acceptable to them. If only they’ve seen the times I’ve started crying at places because it was too loud! 😅
This is wonderful. Thank you, Tiffany. I've saved this to come back to. I'm currently awaiting an ADHD assessment. All sorts of emotions! But your beautiful letter is very soothing to read.
Hi Janelle, thank you for your comment! I'm glad this letter felt soothing to read :) Getting a formal assessment can truly bring up so many emotions. Sending care to you as you start/continue the assessment process.
This was so nice to read (as are all your other posts). I’m currently waiting to hear back after completing an Autism screening — hopefully by the end of this month! Then to move onto the next step of more diagnostic assessments and a virtual meeting. I’m nervous about moving through this process but your newsletters help me hold onto hope.
I love your idea of a “so you’ve been diagnosed later in life with autism.. here’s a box of goodies to try out!”. That sounds absolutely wonderful. It’s got my gears turning. It would be cool to have an advent box or something!
I’ve dreamt of creating a space with sensory / coping tools for people to try. You’re getting me all excited about it again. 🙂
Hi Krissy! I'm so glad that this felt nice to read :) Ohh, so exciting about getting to hear back after completing the Autism screening. I really remember the diagnosis process being both tender, exciting and nerve-wracking. Sending lots of care to you as you go through the process! I'm glad that my newsletter feels supportive, thank you so much for sharing that with me :)
Ohhh, I absolutely love the idea of an advent autistic box. If you ever make one, please let me know! I think that would be such a caring thing for Autistics. In the past for one of my private coaching programs I'd send out care packages-and it was so much fun finding cute little autistic presents! Creating spaces with sensory/coping tools for people to try sounds so supportive-what a great idea!
This is so spot on! I loved reading this letter. Oh and the idea of a self care / congrats kit! Amazing!
How fun would it be if friends and family members could purchase and gift such a package! That really does sound amazing :)
I'm so glad you enjoyed reading this letter! I've loved talking with autistic friends about the concept of a self care/congratulations on being autistic kit! I love the idea of friends/family gifting such a package. That truly would be so amazing to receive :)
Mahalo for your uplifting post! 😊
Your point about the importance of self-kindness really hit home for me
I held back from applying for Disability benefits out of shame and a flagelatting impulse, telling myself that I didn't deserve benefits, or that I just needed to work harder to better myself
It wasn't until I finally applied for benefits that a Psychiatrist evaluated me and diagnosed me with Autism. Then I got a referral to an Autism specialist, and he confirmed the diagnosis
So if I had given myself kindness, we could have found this missing piece of my mental health years ago. The specialist who treats me even said that he wished he could have examined and helped me long ago
So folks, give yourself the kindness you deserve even when part of you thinks you don't deserve any. Because you deserve kindness
Thank you for this comment and for your sharing your own experiences :) I'm glad my post felt uplifting and I enjoyed hearing about your experiences-as well as your reminder to give ourselves kindness. We truly do deserve kindness. I feel like it's always great to have a reminder of that, so thank you!
This was a great read! Being 21 and newly diagnosed I thought, “well at least I have the rest of my life ahead of me, but my childhood could have been so much different.”
I still hold some feelings of anger, I wish my family noticed more. But this journey of discovering myself has also shown me that my family couldn’t even notice it about themselves, so I had to be the change.
Would love it if you had any pieces about the disbelief from others. I’ve had many people straight up tell me that I don’t “seem” autistic, but somehow the adhd part is more acceptable to them. If only they’ve seen the times I’ve started crying at places because it was too loud! 😅
This is wonderful. Thank you, Tiffany. I've saved this to come back to. I'm currently awaiting an ADHD assessment. All sorts of emotions! But your beautiful letter is very soothing to read.
I don't know you but I'm proud of you!
Hi Janelle, thank you for your comment! I'm glad this letter felt soothing to read :) Getting a formal assessment can truly bring up so many emotions. Sending care to you as you start/continue the assessment process.
This was so nice to read (as are all your other posts). I’m currently waiting to hear back after completing an Autism screening — hopefully by the end of this month! Then to move onto the next step of more diagnostic assessments and a virtual meeting. I’m nervous about moving through this process but your newsletters help me hold onto hope.
I love your idea of a “so you’ve been diagnosed later in life with autism.. here’s a box of goodies to try out!”. That sounds absolutely wonderful. It’s got my gears turning. It would be cool to have an advent box or something!
I’ve dreamt of creating a space with sensory / coping tools for people to try. You’re getting me all excited about it again. 🙂
Hi Krissy! I'm so glad that this felt nice to read :) Ohh, so exciting about getting to hear back after completing the Autism screening. I really remember the diagnosis process being both tender, exciting and nerve-wracking. Sending lots of care to you as you go through the process! I'm glad that my newsletter feels supportive, thank you so much for sharing that with me :)
Ohhh, I absolutely love the idea of an advent autistic box. If you ever make one, please let me know! I think that would be such a caring thing for Autistics. In the past for one of my private coaching programs I'd send out care packages-and it was so much fun finding cute little autistic presents! Creating spaces with sensory/coping tools for people to try sounds so supportive-what a great idea!
Ohh, I'm so glad you feel seen and love this welcome kit! That makes me really happy to hear :)
Hi Gary! You are very welcome :) Ohh, I love that: "the freedom to enjoy joy." Thank you for sharing that with me/us!