The importance of Early Autism Diagnosis

Today we observe World Autism Day. A day where different people and organizations around the world stand still about autism and what it means for autistic people and their loved ones.

I was recently diagnosed with autism myself, and liberated would be the best word to describe how I felt after my diagnosis. For some reason I always felt like I had to fit into a "societal box", and no matter how I tried, I did not feel I could fit into it. For once I felt allowed to be myself, I no longer need to fit into "that box" that I probably created myself in my mind. But come to think of it, why should any of us be confined to a "box"? As a late diagnosed autistic woman I want to take the time to stress the benefits of early diagnosis. Nowadays we have more knowledge about autism then before, especially how it presents differently in women and how it can easily get overlooked because girls are very good in masking it (acting in a ways to make them fit in with neurotypical people). This can come at a high personal cost to our mental and even physical health, mind you.

Autistic people diagnosed early means not having to walk through life feeling like you are flawed and trying to fit into a box that no matter how hard you try you can't completely fit into.

Autistic people getting diagnosed early, in a supportive environment, means that they have the validation to be who they truly are and that their differences can be accepted instead of scrutinized by others and by themselves.

And for the ones who have been diagnosed later in life, may you feel validated into being your unique self, as you are beautiful and lovable the way you are. Today I want to send my love to all fellow autistic people and family members of autistic people. It can be challenging to navigate a world not designed for the neurodiverse. But know that it's okay to be different.

For whoever needs to hear this today, may this be your validation that you do not need to fit into any societal box that is not for you.

You are allowed to have your own unique box. You are allowed to be unapologetically you.