How online tests helped me get an autism diagnosis

I’m Margaux. I was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada.

Growing up, I loved to read books, write and make art. I still write and make art to this day, but just not as much reading books. I feel like my attention span is a lot worse than it ever was.

I remember really struggling with the idea that I’d have to go to school and be around a bunch of kids who would constantly ask me questions like “Why are you so weird?” “Why are you so different?”  I never understood why and they never could explain it either.

Fast forward to age 28. I had recalled someone online, saying that I might be autistic or have Aspergers. I couldn’t figure out why they made this comment. Were they trying to be mean or trying to be helpful? I started to obsess and grow increasingly anxious.

I didn’t understand.

I started doing a lot of online quizzes. I know, they always remind you that they are not in place of any medical advice or that they don’t replace doctors and yet I still figured I’d give it a shot. Well, low-and-behold, I was above 95%. This forced me to reflect on my life I had experienced up until that point. Everything was starting to come together.

I told one of my doctors that I believed I was on the Autism spectrum. She didn’t believe me! She made a strange look and it prompted a sense of defeat that overcame my entire body. I felt sick.

I decided to see another doctor. He previously had me complete t a form to rate my levels of anxiety. I figured if he found validity in those kind of quizzes that it would be worthwhile for me to show him my results from the online autism tests I completed. Recently I actually drew something that conveys my hyper-awareness & anxiety all at the very same time.

Well, it worked. Fortunately enough I had found the name of a university doctor who was the only one in the area who would give adults the proper tests for Autism. I was given a referral and waited 6 months.

Needless to say, I got my diagnosis and the answers I needed to better understand myself. I’m 30 years old now and I am involved in activism on behalf of my #ActuallyAutistic community. I can be a voice for those I care so deeply about; my peers, my brothers and sisters – some of the only people who can relate to me. That is a true gift.

I spend a lot of my free time making videos, writing blogs and I make art. I love to have various visual outlets. The ability to create is a true passion of mine. My videos and my blog consist of my Autistic experiences and activism, product reviews, arts and crafts and my cats.

My art, which I create under the pseudonym “Retrophiliac”,  is primarily paint markers on canvas board. I am self-taught and I find a lot of inspiration in the 60’s and 70’s. The music, the culture and of course, the psychedelic colours.

If you’re at all interested in connecting with me visit my website http://www.navigatingjourney.com

Follow on Instagram here.