I have a formal autism diagnosis. I went through the assessment process, paid what it cost, sat through the questions that felt like being poked at by someone who had read about you but never actually talked to you, and got the paperwork at the end of it. It livesRead More »Self-Diagnosis Is Valid. I Said What I Said.
This presentation featured Tessa Watkins and Liz Peace, LPC, at the 13th annual Disability & Mental Health Summit. This talk was given in person on May 7, 2026, in Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
“Diagnosed as an Autistic Adult” was a presentation featuring Tessa Watkins and Dr. Jessica Maher at Rep. Dan Miller’s 11th annual Disability & Mental Health Summit. This talk was given in person on April 19, 2024, in Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
What are the long-term effects of autistic masking and what happens when it fails? Let’s talk about the survey results regarding when people are diagnosed.
I received an adult autism diagnosis at the age of 29 in 2020. Learn more about my journey of self-discovery, awareness, acceptance, and love.
Learn about the privilege of receiving a clinical autism diagnosis, the hurdles autistic people face, and why self-diagnosis is completely valid.
If you’re questioning if you or a loved one may be autistic, check out my Autism Self-Diagnosis Guide based on the diagnostic criteria from the DSM-5.
