What do people make of this article?

IrishInManchesterUK

IrishInManchesterUK

Member
I’ve been hearing a lot online about “fake” autism diagnosis (having been told this online) as an autistic adult (diagnosed in 2021 at age 55 now) and given the lack of support out there for autistic adults, I googled the topic and found this article https://iautistic.com/autism/dark-side/identify-and-guard-against-fake-autistic-imposters/ - what do people make of this? I genuinely don’t know - was my later in life autism diagnosis fake?
 
IrishInManchesterUK said:
I’ve been hearing a lot online about “fake” autism diagnosis (having been told this online) as an autistic adult (diagnosed in 2021 at age 55 now) and given the lack of support out there for autistic adults, I googled the topic and found this article https://iautistic.com/autism/dark-side/identify-and-guard-against-fake-autistic-imposters/ - what do people make of this? I genuinely don’t know - was my later in life autism diagnosis fake?
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I got so annoyed I didn't finish it. Just not something I even have the capacity to relate to I suppose. I have found there isn't much out there for us late diagnosed folk. Its quite disheartening. I also thought the community would be more supportive. I've come up against a few angry people - its put me off. On a lighter note my grandad was born in Cork. Proud of my Irish heritage.
 
The article appeared to describe people with Narcissistic traits and was somewhat sensationalist. I can only speak for myself, but I do try to take people at face value in the belief that sooner or later it will become apparent if they are genuine or not. I did not get a formal diagnosis, as the assessors could not speak to other people in my family that could confirm my behaviours particularly in childhood due to being late discovering this. I did get an occupational health assessment, though, which gave me validity in my neurodivergence.
I think those articles are awful as they sow doubt in the minds of people like myself, and others that may have had problems all through life that made them feel unwanted in their communities, so to write stuff like this does not help. Rather it reinforces that perception.

Also, if you know one person with autism, then you have only seen one person. Everyone is different.