About this Kane FM story
The Kane FM MindWaves project works with a lot of young people diagnosed with ASD and our wellbeing content writer has written this article about this diagnosis.
I believe everyone deserves all the support they need to flourish and more.
I craved a diagnosis for the clarity and benefits to do with self-confidence and identity. If you find yourself awaiting a diagnosis, consider that the diagnosis may help you access specific support but does not define you.
Stay compassionate. To yourself.
My placement year gave me a crash course in managing disability at work. It was a complex balance of self-monitoring and trying to communicate.
I say ‘trying to communicate’ because how could I explain what support I needed when I was discovering that information myself? It’s ok to not know, and learn and grow.
I was working at my hardest daily, just to keep my job. The only one you should ever compare yourself to is yourself. That should include consideration of current life events, personal circumstances and how involved the support network is.
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I struggled to see a career in the course I studied. This was difficult for process. I often debated with teachers and sometimes even walked out of lessons.
What I did to ‘fix’ this state of uncertainty, confusion and disappointment was volunteer. As much as possible. I loved it. I discovered what I liked, did not like, enjoyed, and did not enjoy within an extremely quick period (five months).
In summary, if you find yourself in this pre-diagnosis limbo speak up. It is not weak to speak.
Ask for help. Talk to someone. Anything. If you do not get the support you need after that, and I am referring to a resolution not just an opportunity to vent, it is not weak to leave it for a bit and revisit it later. You deserve support. There are always options. Be an advocate. For yourself.
Written by Rubens King