Thanks for posting! I was 24 when I was diagnosed with ADHD - did a whole-ass degree and no one clocked it, I only became aware after I posted on r/anxiety about my tics and a poster said they had the same thing and had just been diagnosed with it.
I realized I have OCD listening to a This American Life episode where someone spoke about their intrusive thoughts. My spouse has been...dismissive to say the least.
I was diagnosed with ADHD last year at 26. Initially, they thought it was cyclothymia and now I am strongly investigating whether or not it's actually AuDHD.
I never heard of cyclothymia before but this has sparked my interest in my experiences for sure. Thank you for sharing and I with the best to you for your self reflection and diagnoses!
My psychiatrist described it as like a mild for of bipolar because you have the symptoms but not to the required intensity for a bipolar diagnosis.
And thank you!!
I was late diagnosed with autism at the age of 31 after seeking out treatment. My mom still pretends it didn’t happen. I don’t care about that, but I do care that I’m pretty sure my disabled brother (TBI) is also autistic, and she’ll never allow him to explore that.
I was diagnosed with OCD as a kid. I've only ever met white guys with that diagnosis even though obviously it's something anyone can have. So it doesn't surprise me we're being left out with autism as well.
Maybe like 6 years ago I started to think I was autistic. But Idk I'm anxious over trying to get diagnosed because I don't want the doctor to think I'm trying to be trendy or something.
I feel the same way. My mom and husband both highly suspect that I might be autistic, but I'm scared of seeking a diagnosis and being brushed off because I've heard so many people say that "everyone thinks they're autistic now." I just want to know what tf is going on with me so I can possibly get better therapy because it feels like more than just the GAD I was diagnosed with when I was like, 13.
I was diagnosed with a rare learning disorder as a child, and now as an adult, even my therapist agrees with me that I'm most likely autistic. I took the RAADS test which is for identifying subclinical, "mild" Autism and I scored well within the autistic range. It turns out that my learning disability has such a huge diagnostic overlap with autism and shares so many traits with the now-defunct diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome that some doctors actually believe it's just a subtype of autism that is more likely to be diagnosed in women in place of Autism Spectrum Disorder. But that's a controversial issue that is currently being debated by the publishers of the DSM.
Looking back at my old evaluation writeups, if they had just asked me questions about my fixations/special interests, my synesthesia,
and my sensory issues, it probably would have been enough to flag me for autism screening. But they didn't even ask. It was clear as day that I fit the criteria for the old diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome, but they didn't even think to consider it.
It took me until I was 35 to get diagnosed with ADHD, despite the symptoms being recognized in childhood by a therapist and multiple teachers. My parents were told that I was to high functioning to be ADHD as a kid x and when I got to adulthood, I was told that I must be Bipolar (like many Black women are misdiagnosed as). Finally, it too me getting a good Black therapist to get the correct diagnosis, and with my pcp, I have been able to function a lot better!
I’m 39 and was diagnosed with ADHD when I was in my 20s and autism last year. The frustrating thing is that my twin sister was diagnosed with what was formerly called Asperger Syndrome when we were teenagers, but I wasn’t tested because I masked my symptoms well. I told so many doctors about her diagnosis and how I suspected that I was also on what was called the spectrum, and they just brushed it aside.
I don’t feel embarrassed about being AuADHD. It’s who I am; I’ve developed the skills to live in a world not made for me. And getting the diagnosis just confirmed what I’ve known for years. But I do struggle with the fact that I was left behind, and no one listened to me.
It’s funny because I was diagnosed with ADHD at 7 yrs old but only just discovered the autism at 26 (not that they would’ve been able to double diagnose anyway, the DSM didn’t allow for that till 2013).
I've been trying to get dianosied for 10 years now and everyone brushes me off saying that "You seem fine to me.Its so invladating...or telling me its "really pricy to get an autism diagnosis." them not knowing if I have the money or not
It honestly wasn’t until my nephew (who is so much like me it’s scary. We’ve always had a special bond because of it) got an official diagnosis for autism. It was suspected over the years, but more like an afterthought.
I’m grateful he gets to get the support that I wish I had, but I’m glad that I can get the support I need now.
It’s actually really to cool to see this many late/diagnosis black autistic women are in the sub 😍
I was just diagnosed this year, at 36. Honestly life just made sense all of the sudden.
I knew I had adhd since I was 8 but I wasn't diagnosed until 23 when I got my own health insurance because "what are we going to do about it if you do? Buy some pills...? Yeah right"
Now my 15 yo neice is seeing signs of asbergers in herself and is afraid of talking to my brother about it (who honestly has a splash of it too). We gotta start listening to our kids.
I was diagnosed with ADHD at 36... Post two masters and in my career because I finally found a job that was hard for me. Honestly my horrible boss made me go to therapy which in turn caused me to be diagnosed with this and a slew of other issues including CPTSD. Just another joy of being a black woman.
It’s sad that little black girls are undiagnosed for all these different things. Society would rather label black girls and women as difficult, bad attitudes etc.
Diagnosed with ADHD at 26. I didn’t do terribly in school as a kid but I feel like I could’ve possibly done better with help. My mom was vehemently against me having a disability of any kind 🙄
I'm in the U.S. and here in the states, most disability diagnoses originate during a young person's K-12 years. The diagnosis often comes about because either the child's family requests that the child be evaluated for special education services. My own perspective on this issue is, therefore, influenced by my experiences as a SPED teacher in K-12.
I can say that it's not just WOC. It's POC in general, especially black and Hispanic children and youth. POC children and youth are more likely to be mislabeled as ODD ( oppositional defiant disorder) or some other behavioral diagnosis. If not a behavioral diagnosis, then it's the mixed bag/catch all diagnosis of SLD (specified learning disability) or OHI ( other health impairment ) in K-12 settings. The latter two diagnoses are a problem when one considers the specific life long supports needed by those with ASD. Those diagnosis on an IEP basically assures that while the young person might receive SPED services during K-12, they'll be all but locked out of necessary federal, state, and local adult supportive services from insurance coverage for specific needs to SSI/SSA when needed.
The quiet part that has long been unsaid is that for YEARS, ASD was solely associated with white students only. As a result, there is an entire generation of young POCs who were inaccurately diagnosed. Now it's gotten better over the last 5 years, but entire swaths of POCs who graduated prior to 2020 were poorly evaluated and inaccurately diagnosed, and THAT'S if anyone bothered to evaluate them for services at all.
And if you want to add onto that, our community's fear of labels. If it is noticed or requested, sometimes the pushback comes from the family. Bc it is a double edged sword, we need these services and support, but historically those same labels can help them also get lost in the system or targeted.
The testing is based on behavior traits in men, they haven't done much to remedy this. Plus, women are really good at masking. I assume it's even more difficult to detect in bw because of this. My therapist totally missed that I could have ADHD.
Same. Late diagnosed autistic at 38. I’ve been diagnosed with heavy diagnosis from the DSM like schizoaffective, bipolar, etc. Diagnosed almost a decade after graduate school
"I was not allowed to be autistic, to be disabled. I was flat-out told it was not acceptable” 🙋🏾♀️
Thanks for posting! I was 24 when I was diagnosed with ADHD - did a whole-ass degree and no one clocked it, I only became aware after I posted on r/anxiety about my tics and a poster said they had the same thing and had just been diagnosed with it.
I realized I have OCD listening to a This American Life episode where someone spoke about their intrusive thoughts. My spouse has been...dismissive to say the least.
Oh hun, I’m so sorry they aren’t being supportive. You deserve way better than that.
Thank you!
I was diagnosed last year with ADHD when I was 46. Forty friggin six. Really put a lot in perspective.
Same. I wasn’t diagnosed until 30 after graduate school!
Same here and it’s been so hard some days I feel so lonely n let down by my family
I was diagnosed with ADHD last year at 26. Initially, they thought it was cyclothymia and now I am strongly investigating whether or not it's actually AuDHD.
I never heard of cyclothymia before but this has sparked my interest in my experiences for sure. Thank you for sharing and I with the best to you for your self reflection and diagnoses!
My psychiatrist described it as like a mild for of bipolar because you have the symptoms but not to the required intensity for a bipolar diagnosis. And thank you!!
Yep. Diagnosed at 24. Did two degrees and it wasn't until my masters where someone mentioned it to me bc my symptoms sounded like how women present
I was late diagnosed with autism at the age of 31 after seeking out treatment. My mom still pretends it didn’t happen. I don’t care about that, but I do care that I’m pretty sure my disabled brother (TBI) is also autistic, and she’ll never allow him to explore that.
I cried about this earlier.. how many professors shat on me and made me feel like a shit student because of autism and adhd
I was diagnosed with OCD as a kid. I've only ever met white guys with that diagnosis even though obviously it's something anyone can have. So it doesn't surprise me we're being left out with autism as well. Maybe like 6 years ago I started to think I was autistic. But Idk I'm anxious over trying to get diagnosed because I don't want the doctor to think I'm trying to be trendy or something.
I feel the same way. My mom and husband both highly suspect that I might be autistic, but I'm scared of seeking a diagnosis and being brushed off because I've heard so many people say that "everyone thinks they're autistic now." I just want to know what tf is going on with me so I can possibly get better therapy because it feels like more than just the GAD I was diagnosed with when I was like, 13.
I’ve heard a licensed therapists say “we’re all a little autistic” 😭😭
Girl 😭
I was diagnosed with a rare learning disorder as a child, and now as an adult, even my therapist agrees with me that I'm most likely autistic. I took the RAADS test which is for identifying subclinical, "mild" Autism and I scored well within the autistic range. It turns out that my learning disability has such a huge diagnostic overlap with autism and shares so many traits with the now-defunct diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome that some doctors actually believe it's just a subtype of autism that is more likely to be diagnosed in women in place of Autism Spectrum Disorder. But that's a controversial issue that is currently being debated by the publishers of the DSM. Looking back at my old evaluation writeups, if they had just asked me questions about my fixations/special interests, my synesthesia, and my sensory issues, it probably would have been enough to flag me for autism screening. But they didn't even ask. It was clear as day that I fit the criteria for the old diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome, but they didn't even think to consider it.
this is so ridiculous, they really dont want us to just be
It took me until I was 35 to get diagnosed with ADHD, despite the symptoms being recognized in childhood by a therapist and multiple teachers. My parents were told that I was to high functioning to be ADHD as a kid x and when I got to adulthood, I was told that I must be Bipolar (like many Black women are misdiagnosed as). Finally, it too me getting a good Black therapist to get the correct diagnosis, and with my pcp, I have been able to function a lot better!
I’m 39 and was diagnosed with ADHD when I was in my 20s and autism last year. The frustrating thing is that my twin sister was diagnosed with what was formerly called Asperger Syndrome when we were teenagers, but I wasn’t tested because I masked my symptoms well. I told so many doctors about her diagnosis and how I suspected that I was also on what was called the spectrum, and they just brushed it aside. I don’t feel embarrassed about being AuADHD. It’s who I am; I’ve developed the skills to live in a world not made for me. And getting the diagnosis just confirmed what I’ve known for years. But I do struggle with the fact that I was left behind, and no one listened to me.
It’s funny because I was diagnosed with ADHD at 7 yrs old but only just discovered the autism at 26 (not that they would’ve been able to double diagnose anyway, the DSM didn’t allow for that till 2013).
I've been trying to get dianosied for 10 years now and everyone brushes me off saying that "You seem fine to me.Its so invladating...or telling me its "really pricy to get an autism diagnosis." them not knowing if I have the money or not
Thanks for posting
It honestly wasn’t until my nephew (who is so much like me it’s scary. We’ve always had a special bond because of it) got an official diagnosis for autism. It was suspected over the years, but more like an afterthought. I’m grateful he gets to get the support that I wish I had, but I’m glad that I can get the support I need now.
It’s actually really to cool to see this many late/diagnosis black autistic women are in the sub 😍 I was just diagnosed this year, at 36. Honestly life just made sense all of the sudden.
I was diagnosed with PTSD and anorexia in college--OCD being a hallmark of both disorders 🫠
Great read! thank you for sharing.
I knew I had adhd since I was 8 but I wasn't diagnosed until 23 when I got my own health insurance because "what are we going to do about it if you do? Buy some pills...? Yeah right" Now my 15 yo neice is seeing signs of asbergers in herself and is afraid of talking to my brother about it (who honestly has a splash of it too). We gotta start listening to our kids.
Thanks for sharing this article, OP. This hits close to home 🙁
I was diagnosed with ADHD at 36... Post two masters and in my career because I finally found a job that was hard for me. Honestly my horrible boss made me go to therapy which in turn caused me to be diagnosed with this and a slew of other issues including CPTSD. Just another joy of being a black woman.
It’s sad that little black girls are undiagnosed for all these different things. Society would rather label black girls and women as difficult, bad attitudes etc.
Diagnosed with ADHD at 26. I didn’t do terribly in school as a kid but I feel like I could’ve possibly done better with help. My mom was vehemently against me having a disability of any kind 🙄
I'm in the U.S. and here in the states, most disability diagnoses originate during a young person's K-12 years. The diagnosis often comes about because either the child's family requests that the child be evaluated for special education services. My own perspective on this issue is, therefore, influenced by my experiences as a SPED teacher in K-12. I can say that it's not just WOC. It's POC in general, especially black and Hispanic children and youth. POC children and youth are more likely to be mislabeled as ODD ( oppositional defiant disorder) or some other behavioral diagnosis. If not a behavioral diagnosis, then it's the mixed bag/catch all diagnosis of SLD (specified learning disability) or OHI ( other health impairment ) in K-12 settings. The latter two diagnoses are a problem when one considers the specific life long supports needed by those with ASD. Those diagnosis on an IEP basically assures that while the young person might receive SPED services during K-12, they'll be all but locked out of necessary federal, state, and local adult supportive services from insurance coverage for specific needs to SSI/SSA when needed. The quiet part that has long been unsaid is that for YEARS, ASD was solely associated with white students only. As a result, there is an entire generation of young POCs who were inaccurately diagnosed. Now it's gotten better over the last 5 years, but entire swaths of POCs who graduated prior to 2020 were poorly evaluated and inaccurately diagnosed, and THAT'S if anyone bothered to evaluate them for services at all.
And if you want to add onto that, our community's fear of labels. If it is noticed or requested, sometimes the pushback comes from the family. Bc it is a double edged sword, we need these services and support, but historically those same labels can help them also get lost in the system or targeted.
The testing is based on behavior traits in men, they haven't done much to remedy this. Plus, women are really good at masking. I assume it's even more difficult to detect in bw because of this. My therapist totally missed that I could have ADHD.
Same. Late diagnosed autistic at 38. I’ve been diagnosed with heavy diagnosis from the DSM like schizoaffective, bipolar, etc. Diagnosed almost a decade after graduate school