People like you to fit the mental model they have of you and tend to reject the infomration that doesn't match what they already believe.
this post was submitted on 19 Jul 2026
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This is why first impressions matter so much
The people around me had a very different reaction.
So I've not been officially diagnosed, but when I was 48 I went to a psychiatrist for my depression and after a few months he told me he thought I had autism. Just out of the blue.
I was a bit shocked to hear that and I thought he must be wrong. So I told my (neurotypical) friends. And they're all like "yeah, we've known that for years"
This has been my experience as well, not just with myself but with most of my friends who are also clearly on the spectrum.
Fucking nerds, man.
Most people view being diagnosed with a condition to be some huge thing that makes the person totally different from a "normal" person. To them, a weird person is just a weird person - significantly less removed from the norm than a full diagnosis. It's the same reason why a lot of people don't want to get diagnosed, because it would make them believe they're "broken."
I feel the opposite, Getting late diagnosed made me feel less broken as things started to click why I am how I am.
Rather than trying to blend in and "fix" who I am, I've started to just not bother trying.
It can be both -- fear of admitting to yourself that maybe the bullies were right and there is something "wrong" with you, and learning to accept that you are different and this is how / this is what helps.
Absolutely 100%, lt is very difficult to get out of that mindset of it being wrong/bad to be on the spectrum.
I'm not totally and doubt I truly will ever be.
I think alot of this is the difference of state of mind. People avoid diagnosis, because then they can pretend they are "normal" and then keep trying to avoid being rejected by society, without realizing, no amount of masking hides you completely... Its why some people just flatly treat some people poorly. They sense a person is different then they are and their lack of empathy makes them desire to keep them away.
A person that wants to get diagnosed, is typically done trying to play the game of hiding, and just wants to find better ways to manage day-to-day, without masking 24/7.
I've gotta be honest, the few people I've known who've gotten some sort of neurodivergent diagnosis later in life, I think everyone around them was like "yeah we already knew that."
I've found that the sooner I get toxic people out of my life, the sooner I feel better about everything
I haven't actually told anyone, only my wife, that i have auDHD. Others thinking I'm just slightly odd is good enough. Though yeah I'm fairly sure it would go over exactly like the meme says if I'd ever reveal my diagnosis, because many of them do think only the high support needs or level 3 autistics are actually truly autistic, rest are just faking it.
auDHD is aurum DHD? Golden edition?
(I don't know shit about autism editions)
Autism 2! It's got new cards and a redesigned board!
(ADHD plus autism, it's so common there is a word for it now.)
Cant beat the puns around it, but yeah just an autism and ADHD combo.
Perfect Storm Edition: both are fighting each other for control of our mind and body.
Yes, and that reaction also fucked me up completely and gave me imposter syndrome about my own diagnoses.
It's more like they're telling me how cool and charismatic I am, and I'm over here like
You would have thought people destroying the environment and poisoning everyone would piss people off but nah it's messing up people's FYP that's the trigger.
I agree that happened to me.
I find it’s two camps people who ABSOLUTELY INSIST I am normal and when I tell them I am autistic continue to insist I am normal but won’t tell me I’m not autistic and people who don’t like me.
Spoilers: no one is normal and it’s normal to be autistic
Or denying you a diagnosis because of this, adding.to the issues.
Couldn't be me since I was diagnosed early.
Ehh...Both for me.
Diagnosed early but didnt make it public knowledge in my class.
Guy: bullies me for my speech
Me: "That's it, I'm going to a speech therapist!"
Guy: "Um, actually, tgere's nothing wrong with the way you speak, and even if there was, it's okay, and will filter out real friends for you!"
Yes yes yes