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This happened to me today. There are so many things about autism that make driving hard. Please don't make it even harder by judging us as doing something wrong, when we're just trying to get by. I've been driving for over 30 years.When I was in my teens and 20s, I had a box of index cards with the name of the place that I wanted to go on the top. One side had the directions to the place and a drawing and the other side had the directions home from the place and a drawing.The GPS revolutionized my world. Now that cars don't come with GPS in them anymore, I'm reliant on getting the same information from my cell phone.I get that I look like I'm texting or whatever. I'm not. I'm likely lost and just trying to figure out how to get to where I need to go. Please be kind.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-tmmxqi3fumlw2c9p8p" class=""><iframe id="tmmxqi3fumlw2c9p8p" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XsiTUkgKtGU" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/XsiTUkgKtGU" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XsiTUkgKtGU" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure>

Autistic Drivers: We're Doing the Best that We Can

<figure id="figure-ugetuf5445lv9vwv1t"><img id="ugetuf5445lv9vwv1t" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/116wtMaMyQalFlDEidEkexMlIZXLzUKg9KKtbQxrNcyOUSHdAOzn1CdZ20RRXGvl.png" alt="woman standing near wall" title="woman standing near wall" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/116wtMaMyQalFlDEidEkexMlIZXLzUKg9KKtbQxrNcyOUSHdAOzn1CdZ20RRXGvl.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><a title="Misdiagnosed ADHD and Bipolar Disorder in Women with Late Diagnosis ASD" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs49N_9QlO4" target="_blank" data-mce-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs49N_9QlO4" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">Please click here to view content.</a>Over the years, I've seen so many women with late diagnosis ASD that have been medicated for Bipolar Disorder and ADHD for decades. Enter "Amphetamine Induced Bipolar Disorder" (Incomplete) List of Amphetamines: - Adderall - Ritalin - Concerta - Daytrana - Dexedrine - Vyvance If you are one of these people who have been mis-medicated based on a diagnosis that never applied to you for years, know that you're not alone. There are people who understand and believe you. If you'd like to share your personal story, I'd like to hear from you.

Misdiagnosed ADHD and Bipolar Disorder in Women with Late Diagnosis ASD

<h3>Facial Blindness and Autism</h3>There appears to be a significant link between some autism spectrum disorders and face blindness, also known as prosopagnosia. A symptom of autism is the inability to understand social cues, and one significant way this appears is with face blindness. Please like, subscribe, and visit me on my website. I'd love to hear from you. theautisticautismconsultant@icloud.comClick the link below for a short 2 minute video<a title="Facial Blindness in Autism and Something that Helps" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A4627csmFI" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A4627csmFI">Facial Blindness in Autism and Something that Helps</a> <figure id="figure-14x6osp5dtlur60px3"><img id="14x6osp5dtlur60px3" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/22INOBlYVFDC8JboMz6RP5yz7vXQF3Xu8Zj2ux2CKGLArqRgQ4VhyID4lgnwGL7j.jpg" alt="a bunch of wires are connected to a wall" title="a bunch of wires are connected to a wall" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 0% 55%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="0%" data-positiony="55%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/22INOBlYVFDC8JboMz6RP5yz7vXQF3Xu8Zj2ux2CKGLArqRgQ4VhyID4lgnwGL7j.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 0% 55%;"></figure>

Facial Blindness in Autism and Something that Helps

I went to see Godzilla X Kong last night and was wondering if anyone else experienced engaging in their special interests this way. Please like, subscribe, and visit me on my website. I'd love to hear from you. theautisticautismconsultant@icloud.com #autismawarness #autismsociety #mentalhealth<figure id="figure-9ssncp677luocm7b3" class=""><iframe id="9ssncp677luocm7b3" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VQGn1XKQjZs" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VQGn1XKQjZs" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VQGn1XKQjZs" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure>

Special Interests Almost Make It Worth Having Autism

I recorded this about 4 months ago, but didn't feel comfortable sharing until I'd figured out if I was going to find a prescriber or need to potentially go to a 28-day program or hospital to detox off my medication due to the difficulty I was having finding a provider. The appointment I was preparing for was through a national service called MindPath. I like the doctor very much. She was very helpful and agreed that if I'd been taking the same dose of a medication for well over a decade, there was little likelihood of my becoming addicted to it. Once the Medicaid expansion went through, I did qualify for Medicaid. MindPath doesn't take Medicaid, so I had to switch providers again. I went to the local health department. They have 1 mental health NP who was leaving in two weeks and they hadn't found a replacement for her, so they weren't taking new mental health clients. My primary at the health department wouldn't write me a prescription for Valium. Finally, I went to the doctor that was assigned to me through Medicaid and after seeing their office's mental health person, they wrote me prescriptions for the medications that I needed. Anyway, I was recovering from the anxiety of that for a long time, but am ready to share now. In my video, I explain some of the challenges that go along with someone on the spectrum seeking medical care. You can also see my anxiety, in that I have a plan, but don't feel it will work and am focused on that. I say at one point that my anxiety was at a 9/10. I remember this day well after re-watching the video. I had been having a really hard time. Think about what you think a 9/10 anxiety would look like for you and know that this is what a "high masking" autistic person can look like with that high of an anxiety level. This need to mask is part of why I'm so exhausted after interacting with neurotypical people. If I was alone and not having to mask for a doctor's appointment. I likely would have been rocking and stimming, but that's not allowed if I want to feel like I'm being taken seriously as a competent adult.<a title="My Hunt for Mental Health Care &amp; an Example of High Masking" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pASGcdPuicY" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pASGcdPuicY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pASGcdPuicY</a><figure id="figure-zywi3ljloiluh6uxs2"><img id="zywi3ljloiluh6uxs2" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/34ldv2xZilMtFFq9xD77fF3SPNx79e9YRA6K9ZTYzhV5SMnP78ooDWabEi4L0nD5.png" alt="people sitting on chair in front of table while holding pens during daytime" title="people sitting on chair in front of table while holding pens during daytime" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: 100% 5%;" data-corners="no-rounded" data-aspect="3:2" data-caption="" data-positionX="100%" data-positionY="5%" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>

A High Masking Autistic Adult's Search for Health Care

Autism on Autism is a new series where I take comments and questions that professionals are asking on Facebook and Reddit type platforms and break down my opinions and perspectives on the questions based on my lived experience as someone on the spectrum and my work with people on the spectrum as a mental health RN, an Autism Spectrum Disorder Certified Specialist, and countless number of people I've seen in my private practice. My opinion is one opinion. Take what's helpful and leave the rest. I'd be curious to hear the opinions of both others on the spectrum and parents with a child on the spectrum in the comments. I was considering turning this into a regular series if there's interest. A therapist or paid support is attempting to do the best they can for their client on the spectrum based on meeting the current moment. I've seen what these decisions that are not considering the long term do to adults on the spectrum and often, although well intended, they cause damage.<a title="Autism on Autism: a Therapist's Request for Input Around a 10-yr who needs cueing" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw0MLSVJNV0" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw0MLSVJNV0">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw0MLSVJNV0</a> <figure id="figure-hk7qd5w9sqluh6kb51"><img id="hk7qd5w9sqluh6kb51" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/21Wts6XWzdZ6Pu7QvDC6IgKSJcVKHf1S4gIlMrwg9BGlgtFh7cDQYUswS1kf3mKz.png" alt="three people sitting in front of table laughing together" title="three people sitting in front of table laughing together" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 40% 40%;" data-corners="no-rounded" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionX="40%" data-positionY="40%" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>

The Autistic Autism Consultant

Blogs and Vlogs

Autistic Drivers: We're Doing the Best that We Can

Misdiagnosed ADHD and Bipolar Disorder in Women with Late...

Facial Blindness in Autism and Something that Helps

Special Interests Almost Make It Worth Having Autism

A High Masking Autistic Adult's Search for Health Care

Autism on Autism: a Therapist's Request for Input Around ...