Additional Coverage:
- I was diagnosed with autism at 25. I graduated from college, got married, and became a published author. (businessinsider.com)
Late Diagnosis, Limitless Life: Author Thrives After Autism and ADHD Diagnosis
From childhood, the author felt like an outsider, struggling to connect with peers and understand their seemingly effortless social interactions. Daily meltdowns at home, triggered by disruptions to rigid routines, were a stark contrast to the classroom environment she managed to navigate. Despite her parents’ attempts to seek help, her academic success masked her struggles, leading to a misdiagnosis of panic disorder.
The author excelled in school, pursued extracurricular activities, and achieved many milestones, but the pressure mounted. It wasn’t until dental school, facing debilitating burnout, that she finally received the answers she’d been seeking for years. A perceptive psychiatrist recognized her neurodivergence, and at 25, she was diagnosed with both autism and ADHD.
This diagnosis wasn’t a limitation, but a liberation. Empowered by the understanding of her own neurology, the author embraced her unique strengths.
After graduating from dental school, she established a sensory-friendly dental practice, catering to patients with similar sensitivities. She also channeled her passion for romantic comedies into writing, creating stories featuring neurodivergent characters.
Her young adult novel, “Tilly in Technicolor,” which explores the complexities of young love and neurodiversity, won a prestigious award. Another novel, “Late Bloomer,” focusing on autistic women, became a USA Today Bestseller.
Her other works address mental health topics such as anxiety, CPTSD, and ADHD.
In response to recent disparaging remarks made about the potential of autistic individuals, the author highlights her own accomplishments, defying the limitations imposed by such harmful stereotypes. Beyond her professional achievements, she emphasizes a crucial point: her worth, and the worth of all disabled individuals, is inherent and not contingent on meeting societal expectations.