Thank you for sharing your journey. It’s powerful to see how your understanding of yourself evolved and how your parents grew alongside you. I can imagine how frustrating it must have been to feel misunderstood for so long without the validation you needed.

It’s difficult when those closest to us react with denial or impatience, but it’s inspiring that your parents, especially your dad, were able to learn and change. His shift from being critical to becoming one of your biggest supporters speaks to the power of knowledge and acceptance.

I love that your parents balanced guidance with trust, giving you the space to make your own choices. That level of respect is something every child deserves. Your story is a beautiful reminder that growth and understanding can happen at any stage, and that truly listening and validating each other makes all the difference. I truly appreciate you sharing this.💙

Hello! :)

Things I disliked were that (at the time), my parents denied that there was anything was "wrong" with me (I say that with quotes because I don't see neurodivergence as anything being wrong, but rather, one being uniquely-crafted). I began to suspect ADHD when I was as young as 12. I was finally diagnosed with that at 25. My parents then began to see the light. When I came upon the possibility that I was autistic at 26, while they were a little skeptical, they were more open to my suspicions. Once I received the diagnosis at 31, they both became much more understanding. For example, when I was younger, my dad used to make me feel like I was somehow in the wrong for acting much younger than my age, almost like it was shameful. He would also lose his patience with me quickly when I didn't understand something right away. Once we all learned more about why this was the case, he stopped pressing the issue and learned to accept me as I was. He became one of my biggest supporters up until his passing in 2018.

I do appreciate the fact that my parents have always been fair and that they never have been overprotective or strict. Yes, they've always given me guidance and have gotten "on me" for things like my spending habits, for good reason. They've always let me make my own choices at the end of the day, though. I guess because I was never one to get into trouble, they knew they didn't really have anything to worry about 🙂