In this episode, I interview a wonderful lady named Christina who is diagnosed with ADHD, and also is suspected autistic level 2. Her own daughter's diagnosis became the catalyst for her own self-understanding. At age 40, she shares how she lived her whole life up to this point without knowing why and how she was different. She grew up in the 80's when autism research wasn't well-established and well-known. She shares a snapshot about her experiences with socializing, the struggles of connecting with others around her, and some medication struggles as well. She explains her unique perspective; her desire to connect with people yet the dichotomy of trying to do it in an environment with no autism awareness. In particular, she explains what it feels like from a first-hand perspective to be nonverbal, the ways others misunderstood her intentions in those non-verbal states, and how often she became a target as a result. We also discuss the ideas of parallel play, social interactions, sensory issues, dissociation, masking, the effects of masking and how it can cause burnout. She doesn't drive, for a long time she couldn't make eye contact, and she learned to mask from a call center. She struggles a lot with spatial awareness and directional sense. Supporting her daughter who is also autistic, who she can recognize her own self's traits within, she inspires us all with supporting her daughter's diagnosis, supporting her from a first hand perspective, and the beautiful beginning for her own self love and acceptance. :)