Telling Family And Friends Autism Diagnosis| Purple Ella

Nobody sees the majority of my autistic behaviors because I suppress everything. I was having a meltdown and going nuts and sitting on the floor just now and came to your videos to make me feel better. But i am home alone and nobody actually sees me when I am like this. It is so frustrating when people (even my immediate family) think that they know me simply because i suppress myself while around them Also I can almost always tell when someone is autistic because I myself am. It’s like we have a radar or something lol

I'm 64. Known about my autism for about a year. I certainly have gotten the "Isn't everybody a little autistic?" response. Frustrating and discouraging. I try to educate and explain. People hear autism and think hand-flapping, rocking and Rain Man. Sigh...

I like to say it's like telling a blind person "well, EVERYONE's a little blind . . .so your problems aren't real"

I haven't gotten an official diagnosis (tried and got 'put on a list' and was told the waiting list was like two years so 🤷 just educating myself in the meantime) but the more research I do the more certain that I am on the spectrum. It was very empowering to realize I wasn't broken, that I'm just different. Excitedly told my family and each person told me I was too normal and didn't have it. Very invalidating and frustrating. I stopped bringing it up and have been working on self love and acceptance and I'm at the point where I love myself enough to not need their validation anymore, but it's still difficult when I'm struggling and no one around really believes it because I've hidden it my whole life. It makes it harder to voice my needs or ask for support. Love your content, thank you so much for sharing information and your experiences. Especially for those who've gone undiagnosed for a majority of their lives!!

Thank you for this, really struggling with this right now... recently diagnosed and family straight up thinks I’m making it up- they absolutely don’t believe me... it’s so hard when their the ones who are supposed to be supportive !!!

I told a friend I think I may be autistic and she told me I sound like her past patients who were hypochondriacs 😖 it really made me feel invalidated. Yet I still want to tell people. I’m trying to remember that not everyone needs to know. And many might not understand, but that’s okay, I’m on a journey of understanding myself. I don’t need to be understood by others, I need to understand myself.

What an excellent video Purple Ella. I love the style in which you talk about things related to autism. Very clear, to the point, practical, encouraging and more. Thank you much for all the effort and time you put into these educational videos. Keep them coming please!

Haha ella I'm 20 and I got diagnosed with aspergers two days ago! I think I will tell my family in a month or two, once I get the report and have had some time to be comfortable with it personally. This couldn't have come at a better time. Sending love, confidence, and holiday cheer :)

I’ve been getting people already projecting their negative ideas about being autistic when I tell them I’m autistic. I am diagnosed late at 34. Being autistic isn’t easy, but it is sad that people see it in such a negative light like it’s death sentence on your quality of life or like some icky disorder you don’t want.

I really like your attitude around this whole subject Ella. I must admit even though I make videos about my experiences with autism... I do still feel intimidated to talk about my diagnosis to strangers due to fear of not being understood. But this video has really helped put things into perspective. Also it actually helps when it comes to future relationships with people as well. Just a really great video all round!

I don't get people ... They wouldn't question a heart condition or diabetes diagnosis or whatever else. Perhaps it's because there are so many misdiagnosis. I personally have been diagnosed with bpd, now suspect being on the spectrum and am so scared of hearing responses like, are you sure, how do you know, is it a mistake, etc.

I’ve been diagnosed with autism a few weeks before my 50th birthday, telling people is going to be challenging and some responses have been ‘everyone’s getting diagnosed lately’ . I’ve been bipolar since my teens and people think I’m after attention for something else and autism is the new fashion’ 😢 your videos are helping me so thankyou ❤

Think it’ll be a “well buckle up buttercup” - too many siblings have their own neglect, loss, grief, codependency etc. issues to handle without a grip on emotional maturity 🥲💔💞👊 Thanks again for the information and encouragement

I’ve changed many things in my life & the way I look at My Life, Especially prior to the pandemic, during the Pandemic & Today. Receiving Judgment from close & not so close individuals in my life as I age has been a small challenge for me. One thing I changed in a positive way Is Me(I’m selfish like that way). Thank you Purple Ella for Being You. 💜👍🏼🤗

I just received my HF-ASD diagnosis on Dec 19th. I'm 34. Needless to say, it's long overdue.

I just got diagnosed with ASD today!!

My dad knew there was something there when I would be just content to sit there playing with some lego by myself while he was talking with a friend. I could just sit there for hours without complaint, then again I was a late speaker. Not too late though. He didn’t think to take me to get an assessment though in the early 80’s.

I got diagnosed in 2014 at the age of 51 and there is nothing much on how autism affects older adults and support for older siblings. I live independently with support from a home help/PA and a mobile hairdresser who comes and washes my hair. I have never had children as I have always been single which is a choice of mine as I identify as asexual and agender (I do not identify to any gender) and the support given by older adults siblings to their younger middle aged siblings is not been recognised.

I appreciate your work, thank you

I was only just diagnosed with Autism a couple days ago but luckily so far everyone I’ve told have been supportive about it