Should I get tested?
This is going to be a long post, so I'm warning about that beforehand.
Throughout my life people have often questioned if I'm autistic or have called me autistic in a derogatory way. I never quite understood why until I actually had to try and function in society.
Highschool was incredibly difficult for me and I dropped out about a year ago. I am now trying to look for a job.
Today I had my first "try out day" at one of the jobs, where I found myself completely unable to make small talk like the other employees. With that I mean physically unable to. All I could really get out was questions about the work itself, like what I had to do and how I had to do it. I simply could not make conversation, which gets in my way a lot, as it makes me less of a likeable person and thus less likely to get the job. I have always been very quiet, but people usually blame it on autism, even though I was never diagnosed?
Another thing people say is that I have autism because of my interests. For example: I can get extremely obsessed with one subject for a long period of time, to the point where I know everything and I can't stop talking about it. Do people just point this out because it's a stereotype(?) Or is this actually a point of concern?
Three of my former psychologists have said I have ADHD, but never formally diagnosed me or tested me. Which really confuses me.
I also tend to be extremely difficult with foods for no reason. I usually describe the feeling as being given a sandwich with poop and forced to eat it. I physically cannot eat many foods. Sometimes it gets worse and I'll only be able to eat the same specific cracker for every meal, for a week straight.
When I was about six years old I was told I am a highly sensitive person by my then psychologist, though I have no idea what that is supposed to mean. I was always told by my parents that it's pseudo science and doesn't really exist. I was also tested on EQ, SQ and IQ, with EQ and IQ on the high side and SQ extremely low.
When I was a child I was often 'accused' of being autistic by parents and adults, in a mean way.
Is this enough reason to get tested for autism or is this perhaps pointing at something else? I want to understand what is wrong with me. And I want to know if these things are rooted in ableism from adults throughout my life or if there is truth behind their words.
I always thought I couldn't be autistic, because I have acceptable social skills.
Forgive me if I said something wrong, I'm just trying to figure things out and I don't mean to upset anybody.
Posted Apr 9, 2025, 8:20 PM UTC