Journey of Becoming Neurodivergent and Being Diagnosed with Autism

I’m learning about myself and the disabilities that are part of my personality

I have noticed that I have more than just ADHD in my life. I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was very little growing up and I had to undergo cognitive testing with the government. The government mentioned to me that I wasn’t able to graduate from high school, college or get my first job, but I was able to prove them wrong after accomplishing those lifelong goals. I can hardly remember the tests they had me to complete during that one meeting, but I was able to work my very young brain at the time. I understand that I have composed a story about my hardships and facing demons in high school on Medium.com, which is called “Rise from Tragedy 12 Years Ago”. I know that I had a difficult childhood growing up and had a major medical surgery in the hospital after I was born in June 27th, 1989. My educational career was the most difficult for me in regards to staying on tasks and facing demons for four years in high school, which is explained in the Rise from Tragedy” story.

Due to my multiple chances of landing a job in Marketing, I had to utilize a different route in terms of obtaining employment. I enjoyed my temporary job with the City of Portland because I was able to take some time for my mental health from the family business and start on my career. I was able to meet new people and learn how the federal government works in the government sector after being a Volunteer Photographer for the Portland Parks and Recreation Bureau. Once my temporary job was completed on March 1st, I had to return to my previous job and assist my dad with the family business. When I was at work, I had a Zoom meeting with a career counselor and I told him everything about my past, disability, educational experience, types of jobs I held in the past, etc. He mentioned that I have barriers of employment and wanted me to connect with Vocational Rehabilitation Center. I had a phone call with the Vocational Rehab counselor Jeanine Comstock and explained everything, i.e. childhood trauma, being tested by the government for ADHD, illiterate, battling of demons in high school, slight urge to join the military or end my life and my professional career. She was able to assign me to a job developer that works in a city that’s near my writing tutor and I explained everything to him, i.e. childhood problems, high school trauma, college career, professional career, etc. We had to solidify a clear plan of why I wanted to come meet with him for a one-on-one meeting, which was to overcome the barriers of employment for the last few years.

Jeanine has noticed that I have advocated for myself during my time in high school and I wanted people to respect my heritage, culture and self-worth. I was required to complete a neurological evaluation through the Vocational Rehabilitation Center and I had to complete a wide variety of cognitive tests, i.e. reading, writing, math and memory exercises. When I got the results, I was shocked based on how I performed, but they told me that I’m neurodivergent and I have ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder). I’m still learning about what it’s like to be a neurodivergent human being that has both Autism and some symptoms of ADHD. As I have learned through social media, Spotify podcasts, YouTube videos, etc. neurodivergent people’s brain functions very differently compared to neurotypical people in society and we haven’t been accepted into society as of late. Recently, I have heard that a lot of businesses want to incorporate neurodivergent people into the workplace because they can provide a sense of creativity for their coworkers and the employers. I have accepted the fact that I’m basically Autistic with some symptoms of ADHD, however I love being a neurodivergent young human being on this Earth.

I’m kind of brave enough to express that I have Rejection Sensitivity Disphoria, which is short for RSD. Here is a Youtube video that explains about this and how it relates to people like myself who has ADHD and ASD. I have been rejected by a lot of people, criticized by friends and family members, judged and feel like I’m a disappointment to some people that I have known during my past childhood. The girl who posted this video mentioned that I should focus on myself and continue with therapy to manage my RSD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_2H13Q6n8c

I’m getting used to meeting with therapists on a weekly and monthly basis. I had to take it upon myself to open up to the therapists and coaches because they are knowledgeable and have educational experience with ADHD, Autism, Depression and anxiety. One of my therapists told me to incorporate essential oils into my daily life to manage my mental health issues and also to utilize Insight Timer as an app when I’m sleeping. I realized that I should have reached out to a therapist when I was in high school, but I didn’t have the income I do know or the correct resources to help me with bullying and discrimination.