Thread: If you don't think that those who have to self-diagnose aren't #actuallyautistic then you really don't understand #autism or how hard it is to get a diagnosis. It took me years to get diagnosed, but that doesn't mean I wasn't autistic before I was. 1/

People I respect who talk advocate far more than I do have already spoken about this today, but it can't be said enough. It's incredibly hurtful, and can be harmful, for people to make judgements about anyone they don't know, but particularly autistic individuals 2/

We talk about #autism spectrum as if it's a straight line. It really isn't. Autistic children grow into autistic adults and things change. Yours, mine and someone else's experiences will be different. It's not a straight line you can put a pin in and say you're here on. 3/

I don't care who you are or how righteous you think your cause, you don't have right to tell #actuallyautistic people you don't think they are, whether they have a formal diagnosis or are self-diagnosed, and I will block anyone who does for starters. Just leave people alone. 4/

There's enough misinformation doing the rounds making it harder for #autistic individuals as it it. The last thing anyone needs is someone claiming to be advocating for them feeding that misinformation and hurting people who are #actuallyautistic. 5/