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This has kind of been my whole life. While I am very much neurodivergent, I was "raised" neurotypical, if that makes sense. I did go for an assessment in preschool when I displayed ADHD behaviors, but the psychologist dropped the ball and I was never formally assessed at that time. I went through mainstream school, and did well. There were definitely areas I struggled in more than others, but I did it. I graduated from college in 2006 with a Bachelor's in social work.
My parents were always of the school of thought that nothing was "wrong" with me and brushed off any suspicions I had that something was up. Finally, at 25, I took matters into my own hands and went for an ADHD assessment. Just as I had suspected, I had hit the nail on the head! About a year later, I began to suspect that I was autistic as well. I went for an assessment in 2014 and again, I was on to something!
My parents then began to see the light and only understood me better once I received my diagnoses and became an advocate. They were able to learn that autism and ADHD look different for everyone!
Today, I work in human services with others who have developmental disabilities and mental health diagnoses. I love people, and I live to help them! 😊
Do you mean high functioning as well ?
Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence: Difference Explained
Autism Today
https://www.autismtoday.com
California has an autism society
https://www.autismla.org/1/
also autism speaks has resources
LOCAL connections
several autism support and parent groups operate in and around Woodland Hills, California, including the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, local therapy-led parent circles, and private school neurodiversity networks.Local Support Groups and CentersCenter for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD): Located at 5959 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Suite 125, Woodland Hills, CA 91367; offers personalized parent guidance, training, and social groups. Contact them at (818) 960-0633.Parenting Group for Autism/ADHD: Local peer and professional-led support groups hosted in the 91367 zip code area focus on strategies and community for parents raising neurodivergent children.Woodland Hills Private School Neurodiversity Affinity Group: Provides a dedicated community space and network for local parents and guardians of neurodivergent kids.
Brain Function and ProcessingNeurodivergent: Processes the world, emotions, and sensory details differently, often leading to unique strengths like deep focus or creativity alongside distinct challenges.Neurotypical: Follows standard cognitive and developmental patterns that align with society's baseline expectations for communication and behavior.
Social and Communication StylesNeurodivergent: May prefer direct, literal language, use self-soothing movements (stimming), or need extra time to recover after socializing.Neurotypical: Generally picks up unspoken social rules, small talk, and fast conversational back-and-forth automatically.
Sensory and Executive ResponseNeurodivergent: Frequently experiences hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to light, sound, or touch, and may struggle with executive functioning tasks like planning and organization.Neurotypical: Tends to tolerate everyday sensory input and manage task transitions with less disruption.
It sounds like navigating that "in-between" space with a young adult can feel isolating — like they don't quite fit neatly into either world. That's actually a really common experience for parents of young adults on the spectrum, and you're definitely not alone in feeling this way.
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