A few questions and comments..... 1. What does high functioning mean exactly? I'm sure there are different variations of it (perhaps there isn't) but what does it mean for you in comparison to a regular person? 2. Were you always on the spectrum and later your diagnosis put a name to your condition or did just happen later in life? 3. I'm curious what language in this story you didn't like? 4. If there was a magic pill, would you take it? I'm guessing that's a tough one to answer. If you've always been autistic then you don't know any different why would you think a pill might 'improve' you when you don't really recognise what that means. Or do you?

@@justinm2697 Hi Justin, Thank you for your comment and questions. High functioning although some autistic people don't like it means to me that l have no cognitive impairment intellectually, I went to university and school etc and can do most other elements like live independently, work. It is to differentiate myself in that way. But l will say there is a spectrum and no two people are the same. I will say I believe autistic people's brains are wired differently. Not wrongly. We think differently etc. Outside the box as it were. I'm not sure with autism how it manifests itself in that l still think they are researching. I think autism wasn't talked about only in probably last decade so people like me who are older slipped through the cracks as it were. I think it's there but for me it wasn't even on people's radars until much more recently. I'm the one who found out about autism and after reading other women's stories on the spectrum it just made sense and was an ah ha moment and things fell into place and l got officially diagnosed. No I wouldn't take a magic pill. As hard as it can be sometimes I feel in time acceptance and inclusion will change that feeling and society. For me l don't want to be cured l feel that I'm different not less in some way. Society has to catch up to the idea and do lots more research too. The language in the story and l acknowledge the parents and their experience is different and they are parents of autistic children but it's the language like when the mother found out she had a son on the spectrum she was like oh no not another one.... and that that the dad would shove a pill down their throats to cure them. It's confronting to hear. I bare them no ill will. You must understand the main stuff you read and hear about autism is negative and can be wrong ie like being a burden,stereotypes,lack of empathy etc and written by those not on the spectrum. Some stuff that is written clearly doesn't factor in that others on the spectrum can understand and can be hurt by it. For example anti vaxxers to name one very obvious group. I do also acknowledge that everyone has their opinion. But l would say it is probably the hardest part of my journey to accept. I hope that helped and appreciate the chat. Sorry l wrote a short novel lol

Justin M How dare you? You should be ashamed of yourself.🧐

Being in your 40's and having babies has nothing to do with it..Your comment shows your ignorance.

Donna Amanda Jackson , ignorance is bliss that's what i can tell about you.

Jocelyn didn't have Lilly in her forties. She had Maddie (who is neurotypical) in her forties