Embracing My True Self: The Power of Being Understood as an Autistic Person

As an autistic person, there’s a deep, often unspoken need to be understood. It's not just about someone recognizing my behaviors or quirks—it's about truly seeing and grasping the essence of who I am. Over the years, I’ve realized that feeling misunderstood can create a sense of isolation, a feeling that I’m somehow incomplete or wrong for not aligning with what others expect or perceive as “normal.” This feeling of being out of sync with the world is something many neurodivergent individuals experience. For me, it has been a long journey of learning how to navigate these feelings and understand myself better.

One of the biggest struggles I’ve faced as an autistic person is the emotional labor of educating others about my needs and how I perceive the world. It’s exhausting to constantly have to explain myself, to be the one carrying the responsibility for helping others understand what it means to be me. But there’s another side to this. In my pursuit of connection, I’ve found that the more I open up and share my perspective, the more I am able to create those rare moments of true understanding and validation.

This blog is my way of beginning to share that perspective with the world. It’s my attempt to break through the barriers that often keep me isolated and misunderstood. It’s a space where I can express my thoughts, reflect on my experiences, and offer insight into the unique way I interact with the world as an autistic person. I hope that by sharing my journey—both the struggles and the triumphs—I can foster a greater understanding of neurodiversity and create a space where others feel seen and validated in their own experiences.

Starting this blog is a vulnerable act for me. It’s an invitation to the world to see me, to understand the complexities of my mind, and to recognize the beauty in my differences. It’s not just about sharing what I’ve learned in my work as an RDI consultant but also about revealing my personal journey toward self-acceptance and finding peace with who I am.

I’ve spent so much of my life trying to conform, trying to fit into a mold that didn’t accommodate my neurodivergent brain. But now, I’ve come to understand that the only way forward is to embrace my true self. By opening up in this way, I’m not only creating a space for my own healing but also offering an opportunity for others to relate, to learn, and to grow with me. I want to show that there is power in embracing our differences, and that true connection is born from understanding one another for who we truly are—without judgment or preconceived notions.

So, as I continue to share my thoughts and experiences here, I invite you to walk alongside me. I hope that through my writing, you’ll find something that resonates with you, whether it’s a shared experience, a new perspective, or simply the comfort of knowing you’re not alone. This blog is a step toward creating a more open and empathetic world, one where we don’t have to explain ourselves to be understood. Instead, we can just be—authentically, deeply, and without apology.