FINALLY AUTISTIC: Finding My Autism Diagnosis as a Middle-Aged Female - Couverture souple

Werba, Theresa

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0965695530 ISBN 13 : 9780965695534

Editeur : Bardsinger Books, 2024

Synopsis

Would you believe I was in my mid-50s before I finally figured out what my real problem was? Like many females on the autism spectrum, we are often mis-diagnosed early in life with other neurodivergent conditions, such as ADHD or bipolar disorder. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in my 20s but it wasn't until I was 53 that I was finally diagnosed with Level 1 Autism, formerly known as Asperger's Syndrome.

This is the story of my life from the perspective of a little preschool girl who nobody knew how to handle, to a school-age girl who was the smartest, and most talkative, and most disruptive kid in the class, to a blooming teenage singer and writer, to the mental illness of adulthood, and through to my autism diagnosis in middle age.

Finding out I was autistic ended up providing great relief to me, because it explained so many things about my life that made so sense. Why, with grey hairs abounding, do I still have problems when people ask me, "How are you?" Why did I have the reputation as "Mrs. Blabbermouth" in 5th grade? Why did my adoptive parents abuse me and not try to get me evaluated? Why do I still struggle to this day with the give-and-take of everyday conversation?

I hope my story will be something that resonates with anyone on the autism spectrum, but particularly with older females like myself, who have had a diagnosis later in life, after years of medications and trials and many, many errors. I hope my frank and honest account will be a source of camaraderie and comfort to all who read it.

―Theresa Werba

“Theresa gives honest and compelling insight into what life is like when you are undiagnosed and/or misdiagnosed, and relates how freeing it was for her to finally receive her autism diagnosis in middle age. Readers will walk away inspired and with the right tools in hand for self-advocacy.”
— Jessica DeMarco M.S, BCBA, Behavior Analyst

"Very conversational, and easy to read... I truthfully enjoyed reading about Theresa's most vulnerable moments— the ones she may consider embarrassing— as it sheds a very real light on the difficulties of living with any undiagnosed condition, but especially autism."
— Nicky Ertzman, Supports Coordinator, Adult Autism Waiver

“A fascinating and tragic portrait of a neurodivergent artist, widely acknowledged master of formal lyric verse, one of the best sonneteers writing today… a window into the mind of a great artist."
—Andrew Benson Brown, literary critic

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A propos du livre

À propos de l'auteur

Theresa Werba the author of eight books, including What Was and Is: Formal Poetry and Free Verse (Bardsinger Books, 2024). Her work has appeared in such journals as The Scarlet Leaf Review, The Wilderness House Literary Review, Spindrift, Mezzo Cammin, The Wombwell Rainbow, Fevers of the Mind, The Art of Autism, Serotonin, The Road Not Taken, and the Society of Classical Poets Journal. Werba holds a Bachelor of Arts in vocal music performance from Skidmore College and a Master of Music with distinction in voice pedagogy and performance from Westminster Choir College. Her work ranges from forms such as the ode and sonnet to free verse, with topics ranging from neurodivergence, love, loss, aging, to faith and disillusionment and more. She also has written on autism, adoption and abuse/domestic violence. Her recording Lullabies: Traditional American and International Songs may be found on streaming services (under the name Theresa Rodriguez). Werba is the joyful mother of six children and grandmother to seven. Find Theresa Werba at www.theresawerba.com and on social media @thesonnetqueen.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Bardsinger Books
• Date d'édition: 2024
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0965695530
• ISBN 13: 9780965695534
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 123
• Coordonnées du fabricant: Printed by Amazon on behalf of the author; https://www.amazon.fr/hz/contact-us; ; c/o Amazon Media EU S.à.r.l., 38 Avenue John F. Kennedy; Luxembourg; L-1855; Luxembourg