Autism Interview #139 Part 2: Rakshita Shekhar on Self-Diagnosis and Privilege

Rakshita Shekhar is a self-diagnosed teacher of Autistic students in India. Last week she shared her professional background and her journey to figuring out her real passions despite continued failure to obtain an autism diagnosis from medical professionals. This week she explores self-diagnosis, how diagnosis is reserved for a privileged few, and how she has connected with the Autistic community for support.

Autism Interview #139 Part 1: Rakshita Shekhar on Misdiagnosis and Finding Her Way

Rakshita Shekhar is a self-diagnosed teacher of Autistic students in India. She holds a master’s degree in intellectual and developmental disabilities from University of Kent, UK, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Bangalore, India. She has over 10 years of experience facilitating learning for children and adults, across socio-economic categories and support needs, and currently teaches autistic students with a focus on developing their self and social identity. She has presented research on inclusive education in national and international forums. This is the first part of her two-part interview on self-diagnosis. This week she shared her professional background and her journey to figuring out her real passions despite continued failure to obtain an autism diagnosis from medical professionals.

Autism Interview #98 Part 2: Old Lady With Autism on Advocacy and Autism Resources

This is the second part in a two-part interview with the blogger known as ‘Old Lady With Autism.‘ ‘Old Lady With Autism’ is on a mission to advocate for late-diagnosed individuals on the spectrum as well as autistic elderly who may not have received a diagnosis. Last week she offered insight into her difficulties growing up undiagnosed as well as why it was so important for her to receive a formal diagnosis into her sixties. This week she detailed her mission to use her blog to improve understanding of and support older autistic individuals (with or without a diagnosis).

Autism Interview #98 Part 1: ‘Old Lady With Autism’ on Late Diagnosis and Disability

This is the first part in a two-part interview with the blogger known as ‘Old Lady With Autism.’ ‘Old Lady With Autism’ is on a mission to advocate for late-diagnosed individuals on the spectrum as well as autistic elderly who may not have received a diagnosis. She self-diagnosed with autism a year ago and is currently in the process of receiving a formal diagnosis. She says discovering her autism diagnosis (as well as her mother’s) has helped her make sense of her life and realize a critical need for autism awareness and understanding among the caregivers of the elderly. This week she offered a unique perspective into the difficulties of growing up on the spectrum, especially without an understanding of why she was perceiving the world so differently. She also explains why obtaining an official autism diagnosis is so important, even in her sixties.

Self-Diagnosis: An Interview with The Greatest Adventure Blogger

Threedeemee is a UK blogger and mother of an autistic son. Sensory issues and other autistic traits led her to self-diagnose as an adult before a formal evaluation ruled out this diagnosis. Today she blogs at The Greatest Adventure, opening up about her experiences raising an autistic son where other parents can find encouragement, information and support through shared parenting experiences.