{"id":6405,"date":"2025-10-21T13:12:46","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T17:12:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wyomingjarbo.com\/blog\/?p=6405"},"modified":"2025-10-21T13:12:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T17:12:46","slug":"435","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wyomingjarbo.com\/blog\/2025\/10\/21\/435\/","title":{"rendered":"43.5"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I\u2019m an adult, but I still like to acknowledge my half-birthday1<\/a><\/sup>. Age is just a number. My half birthday happens to be my second favorite number. I thought I\u2019d check in since the post I made around my birthday this year about being diagnosed with ADHD and Autism<\/a> and how that clarity gave me the knowledge I needed to live a blissful and peaceful life. *cough*<\/em><\/strong> \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we\u2019ve seen this year, there\u2019s been much a hubbub about autism and how some people view it as something to be cured. All I can offer is my experience. I don\u2019t view this is an ailment, but just a different neurotype. I feel the need to reiterate, if you\u2019ve met a person with autism, then you\u2019ve met one person with autism. Experiences are different for every autistic person as it\u2019s a spectrum (not less autistic to more autistic). I certainly don\u2019t speak for anyone apart from myself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Observations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As an autistic person, I\u2019ve been adopting the phrase \u201cDon\u2019t hear what I didn\u2019t say\u201d to emphasize that I meant what I said literally. After reflecting on it, I\u2019ve noticed how many neurotypical conversations rely on body language and other ritualistic norms to be understood. I\u2019ve observed people repeatedly venting their frustrations to friends, colleagues, and family. To me, these conversations seem repetitive without taking steps to change the outcome. However, people don\u2019t seek advice; they vent as an outlet. I recall a friend asking me before starting a conversation, \u201cAre you looking for guidance\/advice, or do you just want to vent?\u201d This is a helpful opener for many conversations, and for me, it\u2019s usually both. Now that I\u2019ve been in therapy for a while, I\u2019ve noticed that people often use their support systems as therapy2<\/a><\/sup>. However, this approach may not always be effective because everyone\u2019s experiences are unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. I used to respond to conversations as a problem solver, which is a built-in natural part of my personality. But that\u2019s generally not what people are seeking. I\u2019m actively working on elevating my listening skills and expressing that my perspective is personal and may not apply to everyone. Now that I know I\u2019m autistic, I know my perspective is statistically not relatable, and that\u2019s okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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