Polly's ASD and ADHD Assessment

It's April which is my birthday month AND Autism awareness month. For my birthday, I am asking for help towards my journey of self- realization, self-compassion, growth and healing.

Neurodivergent women are statistically diagnosed much later in life and this can often be due to their ability to effectively mask their symptoms, coupled with the lack of focused research on neurodivergent women. This lack of research and understanding is extremely detrimental because woman's symptoms and coping strategies often show up in different ways than the young adolescent boys who have the highest rates of diagnosis, making it easier for them to fly under the radar and go longer through life without the support, awareness and confidence in who they are, what they need, and how to get it.

I have suspected I am neurodivergent for over a decade with the past five years involving intense research, self examination, online assessment, therapy and community support from other neurodiverse people.

So why seek a formal diagnosis? I think self-diagnosis is entirely valid and with the prohibitively high cost of adult assessments, I see why many go this route. For me, I am hoping a formal diagnosis may help to combat some of the internal and external ableism I have encountered on this journey of self discovery, and help me understand the specific supports I need to start thriving in areas that are currently causing distress and challenge. I am also motivated by the desire to celebrate and embrace all aspects of me fully! Who I am and the communities I belong to are key components to healthy self expression and this information is formative to me as an artist, and as a person committed to self-love and community care.

On this journey, I have often encountered people who think that because I am intelligent, well spoken, have achieved success in certain areas of my life- that it's impossible for me to be neurodivergent. One of the biggest and most difficult parts of my journey has been accepting just how much I STRUGGLE in key areas of my life and how much this struggle impacts multiple dimensions of my wellbeing. This doesn't mean I can't or don't totally crush it in others areas (and believe me- I do!) but it does mean that the areas I am deficient in make it so that all the success you see often takes tens times more effort, energy, and recovery time to achieve. My struggles are often silent and private because I'm not always great at asking for help, or even understanding the moments when I deeply need it. I grew up in a capitalistic society that taught my capacity for individualism was my worth, so any areas where I needed support I repressed and hid. It's taken me many hours of therapy, meditation, self reflection and creative practice to undo these habits and beliefs-it's a journey I will never stop being on- but I have come a long way. Coming to this stage of being able to identify that there are support out there for me and striving to receive them is a type of vulnerability that is extremely edgy for me. And I am also so proud that I am trying.

I am at a place in my life where I am calling in support. I want to be able to move forward and continue to call in the support I need, to understand how my brain and body thrives with its gifts, and also leverage help where I need it.

Your contribution to this fund will go 100% towards an adult Autism + ADHD assessment which will be a life affirming and life changing milestone for me.

I have been on a waiting list for a over a year and finally got approved for an appointment. I had to follow up with them to tell them I don't currently have the funds, but luckily, they hold your spot- which means as soon as I do have the funds- I am put back at the top of the list.

One thing I've come to know and appreciate about this journey is that neurodivergent people are all around us- more than I think most people realize- achieving absolutely incredible and beautiful things, but also needing our love and support and belief. If you made it this far, thank you for taking the time to learn about a part of my experience I don't share about very often- thank you for listening, and thank you for being part of this journey with me.

All my love

P