dragonsanddemons wrote:
Once again experiencing dissonance because I grew up being told I was “high-functioning” and expected to meet NT standards, but when I actually meet people who are “high-functioning” or read posts from them, there is such a huge difference. (I know people tend to take issue with using functioning levels, but I really don’t know how else to describe this disparity)
I will never be able to support myself. I will never get a job any better than the ones “anybody” can get because nobody wants to do them (and even those I have to really fight for). I will never live in my own place. It is unlikely that I’ll ever get a driver’s license. I can’t convincingly “mask” no matter how hard I might try. There is no question of whether to disclose or not, because almost everyone can tell within five minutes (and oftentimes within thirty seconds) of meeting me that something is “off” about me, even if they can’t figure out exactly what. Anything resembling a “normal” life is entirely alien to me, and my chance of achieving some semblance of it is about the same as being able to walk to the moon without use of any machinery (and it isn’t for any lack of trying on my part). I am incredibly jealous of those who are able to achieve these things, even with cost. There’s no way around it, I have a continent’s worth of evidence that says my best just isn’t good enough to ever be anything but a parasite.
You were assessed as a child when your functional needs were being met by your parents and teachers. You weren't experiencing difficulties with holding a job or being self-sufficient because that wasn't expected of you at that age. ASD tests compare you to others of your own age, so you were almost certainly compared to other kids and deemed to be fairly high-functioning for your age. I'm sure if you were tested again you would be documented as having more need for support than before. There gets to a point when demand exceeds capacity for us. You've maxed out on what you can do, compared to peers of your age.
I feel for you because I also feel the way you do. I'm a Level 2 but I was evaluated as an adult and I'm no longer functional in any productive way. I still feel disenfranchised from NTs and from pretty much all people on WP or other sites, because I'm lower functioning and I feel very alone with my challenges. I'm very much like you in all of your descriptions. The important thing is that you're lucky to have caregivers who love and support you. I've had to fend for myself and I made a right mess of it most of my life. I'm still picking up the pieces and trying to forgive myself for all the catastrophes that ensued.
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And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.