Demystifying My Diagnosis of Autism
After learning about her condition, Mayo Clinic graduate student Lizz Cervantes addressed her educational needs — and chose her research focus. Here is her story.
When I was diagnosed — as an adult — with autism spectrum disorder, my first feeling was one of relief. The diagnosis explained to me why I had spent years feeling out of sync in social situations, wondering if I was responding appropriately to other people. The stress of daily interactions took an enormous amount of energy.
The diagnosis also explained some of the frustrations I experienced as a student in a research lab. The bright lights overhead often gnawed at my nerves. One pipette that makes a repetitive piercing sound (other students affectionately call it “The Beeper”) made me want to run out of the room…
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