Ellie Middleton's Insights on Being Autistic and Undiagnosed Trauma

Overview

Ellie Middleton, an autistic individual, shares her journey and insights on being undiagnosed for a significant period, which has significantly shaped her life.
Her experiences are shared through a LinkedIn post and a video.

Ellie was diagnosed at 24, and she reflects on how being undiagnosed for so long affected her life, possibly more than being autistic itself.
The lack of diagnosis led to:
- Internalizing negativity and self-doubt.
- Believing she was a bad person.
- Doubting her worth in friendships.
- Feeling guilty for being herself.
With earlier diagnosis, she could have realized she was operating on a "different operating system" rather than being inherently bad.

Describes consistent negative experiences with friendships, especially with girls who sensed something different and ostracized her.
Feels these experiences have significantly influenced her worldview and self-perception.
Suggests that having the context of being autistic might have lessened the impact of these experiences.

Without the context of autism, she perceived herself as the "common denominator" in failed friendships, which led her to conclude she was inherently bad.
The trauma of these experiences has been profound, influencing her sense of self and requiring therapy and personal work to process.

Emphasizes the importance of understanding oneself and having a name for one's experiences to mitigate negative self-perceptions.
Suggests that understanding autism could provide context to social interactions, reframing them as "lost in translation" rather than personal failings.

Ellie promotes her book "How to be You," potentially offering insights into embracing one's identity and experiences.

Several LinkedIn users resonate with Ellie's post, sharing their own experiences of late diagnosis and the social challenges associated with autism and ADHD.
Positive feedback highlights the value of Ellie's insights and her bravery in sharing her story.