At the age of 25, I was finally diagnosed with autism and ADHD, a revelation that transformed my understanding of myself and my experiences. From a young age, I sensed that I moved through the world differently than my peers. While my classmates seemed to communicate effortlessly, I often felt like an outsider, struggling to decode an intricate language of social interaction that remained elusive to me.

As a child, school was a complex environment filled with sounds and stimuli that overwhelmed my senses. Each day, I would return home, often emotionally drained, suffering from near-daily meltdowns. I couldnt grasp how other children thrived in this chaotic atmosphere, while I required a strict routinecertain foods, clothes, songs, and even smellsto maintain a semblance of calm. The panic I felt when my routine was disrupted was beyond comprehension to those around me.

My parents recognized that I was different and sought help from various psychiatrists. However, my academic success and compliance with societal norms masked the underlying issues I faced. My symptoms were often misattributed to a panic disorder, allowing me to slip through the cracks of a system that failed to recognize my neurodivergence.

For a time, I managed to navigate life by masking my true self. I engaged in activities like ballet and cross country, graduated at the top of my classes, and even met my husbandhitting all the 'normal' milestones expected of me. Yet, despite my outward accomplishments, I was crumbling under the pressure of my own expectations. My first year of dental school proved particularly challenging. The demands of my curriculum, the stress of living in a new city, and the intricate social dynamics of my dental class created an overwhelming sense of anxiety and disorientation. I felt as if I was on the brink of collapse.

It was during this critical time that I encountered a compassionate psychiatrist who changed my life. After a heartfelt first appointment, where I laid bare my struggles, she suggested that I might be neurodivergent. This simple question led to a profound revelation. A year later, I received my diagnoses of ADHD and autism, which was a pivotal moment in my life.

Receiving my diagnosis felt like shedding a heavy cloak that I hadnt realized I had been wearing. It provided me with the vocabulary to articulate my experiences of overstimulation and the unique ways my brain processed information. I learned to embrace my differences rather than conform to the often rigid and unrealistic expectations of the neurotypical world. This newfound understanding was liberating, allowing me to finally start blossoming into my authentic self.

Since then, my life has taken a wonderful trajectory. I successfully graduated from dental school and now work as a full-time dentist, where I strive to create a sensory-friendly environment for my patients. Furthermore, I delved into my passion for writing, particularly focusing on stories that feature neurodivergent characters. One of my novels, titled Tilly in Technicolor, tells the story of an autistic boy and an ADHD girl navigating life after high school while falling in love. This book received acclaim and awards, further fueling my creative endeavors. Another work, Late Bloomer, became a USA Today Bestseller and features autistic women enjoying a quiet, fulfilling romantic life centered around their special interests.

Additionally, Ive explored the world, cultivated deep friendshipsparticularly with fellow neurodivergent individualsand built a loving marriage. My family expresses pride in my achievements, which brings me joy. However, I recently encountered a disheartening remark made by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He suggested that autistic children would never contribute to society, implying they would not hold jobs, pay taxes, or engage in typical life experiences. Yet, I am living proof that these assumptions are misguided.

I have achieved many of the things he claimed were impossible. Nevertheless, I believe my worth transcends societal metrics of success. Like everyone, I possess inherent value simply by existing, a truth that all disabled individuals deserve to recognize. My journey has taught me that living authentically and embracing my identity is more significant than adhering to a checklist of societal expectations.