My Story: ‘My Understanding That I Am A Neurodivergent Has Changed Me As A Human Being’

Joy Christan Jonathan was diagnosed with being neurodivergent at the age of 35. A big-time procrastinator, she often forgets to take care of herself. She suffers from Autism, ADHD and several sensory issues.

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I was diagnosed as being a neurodivergent person at the age of 35; however, people overlook that since I am able to function normally for about 10 hours a day. There is no doubt that I am high functioning, and being high functioning is not easy because nobody gets to see the 2 hours of intense preparation beforehand of my mind racing or the 6-hour recovery afterwards.

I Have To Struggle Everyday

People think I’m not autistic because I do not meltdown. When I do have meltdown episodes, I am rude and unpleasant. I cannot do online or phone banking. I struggle following social media trends because a new feature has been added by the time I get the hang of it. I forget passwords, my appointments, forget to drink water and take my vitamins. I misplace and lose things frequently. I have sensory issues, and I can go three weeks without washing my hair, and I experience a complete physical intolerance to touch, light smells and noise.

I cannot ride a bike or drive a car. My balance is appalling, and I find eye contact painful, except with my family and close friends. My mind flies in different directions constantly. I can plan three things at once in detail; I hyperfocus and can stay fixated on one task and, at the same time, have trouble focusing. Initially, I purchased a lot of books and art and craft, and when the product reached home, my focus shifted from them. I buy things impulsively and hoard them without keeping a track.

I Have Autism, ADHD, Sensory Issues

A big-time procrastinator, I forget to take care of myself. My thoughts often overwhelm me, and I need to have a routine. I face difficulties following instructions until the person is incredibly specific. I am very bad at directions, cannot understand jokes and have a horrible time for laughing. Things are not always easy, and I cannot tell you how many times I wish my brain ran in normal patterns and worked like everyone else’s.

I have Autism, ADHD, and sensory issues and understanding that I’m a neurodivergent have changed me as a human being. I am now kinder to myself; I accept myself, and I don’t try to fit in anymore. I love that I’m different. I wish I could tell the little child in me that she was perfect just as she was, and she didn’t need to change one thing about herself.

                                            If you too have an inspiring story to tell the world, send us your story at mystory@thelogicalindian.com

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