Dear Younger Me: What I Wish I’d Known About Being Autistic

• By: Robert Schmus, MSW, LCSW Mental Health Therapist and Autistic Self-Advocate
• August 21st, 2026
• autism awareness, autistic community, autistic self-advocacy, masking, mental health, neurodivergent identity, personal stories, self-acceptance
• 527    0

One of the questions I always hear being asked is, "What words of advice would you tell your younger self?" Such a question seems very cliché to me. However, just because something is cliché doesn't mean it's boring. In fact, our thoughts on this evolve through our life experiences. This is...

Living and Aging Independently on the Autism Spectrum: An Inside View

• By: Karl Wittig, PE Aspies for Social Success (AFSS)
• October 2nd, 2023
• actually autistic, autistic community, daily living skills, driving, Fall 2023 Issue, healthcare, housing, independence, independent living, late diagnosis, relationships, retirement planning, scams, self-sufficiency, senior citizens, senior health care, socialization, special interests, supports
• 4590    0

Having been diagnosed late in life at the age of 44, I lived for the better part of my life on the autism spectrum without myself or anyone else being aware of it. During the time in which I finally knew about this, I was already an older adult and, most recently, a senior citizen. Unlike so many...