I am in my mid-twenties and was not aware of my neurodivergence until quite recently. While I

was not aware, I now recognize that those close to me did notice my neurodivergence. My

ADHD and autism spectrum disorder has been the source of my greatest strengths, and,

admittedly, many of my challenges throughout my entire life. I have many successes that have

come along with my “different mind”. These successes include: a bachelor’s degree, master’s

degree, a good job, several hobbies, and flourishing social life. My diagnoses do not change

these successes for myself or other neurodivergent individuals.

Autism is a spectrum, which allows individuals to experience signs and symptoms in many

ways. With my later in life diagnosis, I have been able to reflect and recognize the autistic traits I

personally have. One of my best traits is that I take things very literally. With that, sarcasm almost always goes over my head. However, by taking sarcasm at face value, my literal responses are always my best jokes. As my family puts it, I am unintentionally hilarious. Rather than allowing my difference in processing information hinder myself socially, it helped develop my personality and aided social interactions. There are other social cues I can also miss, for example flirting, but by understanding what I struggle to pick up on, I’ve learned to pay more attention. My tendency to assume that everyone likes the same things I do extends to my friendships.This has resulted in me including every one of my friends in everything I can.

Whether it was a childhood birthday party, or a “small” dinner at my house now, my autistic mind has led me to an extended network of friends.

While there are ways for me to make modifications to better fit into a neurotypical world, what has helped me the most is that the people closest to me understand how my brain works. I have been very lucky to surround myself with people willing to learn to understand my individual mind. For example, my family has found many ways to adapt, and help me adapt, to symptoms even before I had any diagnoses. Some examples of this are; they always gives me time and reminders to “get my wiggles out” if I can’t focus or have too much energy, letting me tuck my shirt in every day in grade school (which I now I see as my sensory issues), and whispering

“sarcasm” when I clearly miss a joke at the dinner table. I’ve found the same support through my friends that I’ve had all my life and in adulthood. They don’t blink an eye when I need to wash my hands anytime they are slightly dirty, let me know when I clearly didn’t notice someone flirting with me at a bar, and listen when I need to talk about the new fact I learned about mushrooms. This support has been key to my success and is the result of patience and understanding.

Neurodivergence is not a weakness or something to be fixed. It is a strength and has made me who I am.