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How Being “Gifted” Can Hide Being Autistic
This is an interview with Lorie, a late-identified autistic. Our interview was originally published in 2023. I’m resharing it now to elevate the experiences and perspectives of autistics. My questions are in bold and Lorie’s responses follow in regular typeface.
What name do you use and, if you want to share it, what pronouns do you use?
Lorie
How old were you when you learned you were autistic?
I was in my 30s.
How did you learn you are autistic?
I am a therapist and I knew I was different in many ways from others, but I could not find validation for this. I was told I was “gifted,” but no one could explain my eccentricities and odd ways of thinking “out of the box.” It was not until my children were diagnosed that I fully accepted that I was autistic. I now provide individual therapy as well as run groups for late-diagnosed adults.
How did you decide whether to self-identify or diagnose?
Self-identification came naturally through awareness and education. I asked other peers in the field if they agreed and they did.
How did you feel when you learned you were autistic?
I felt relieved, like many others that have been diagnosed. Everything finally started making sense, from my ability to hear and smell things that no one around me seemed to be able to hear and smell to the complexities of my dreams, thoughts and…
