Matilda’s Story
Assessment:
Austistic
3 Minute Read
Matilda and her family had never considered she may be Autistic.
At school, she was seen as bright and responsible - excellent at problem-solving. Matilda loves planning and organizing, often helping friends and family with trips, big decisions, and life changes.
However, Matilda has always struggled with her mental health. Over the years, psychologists and psychiatrists suggested several different explanations - Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). At first she thought she’d found answers, but over time they began to fit less. Matilda tried numerous treatment plans, medications, hospital stays, and therapies, but nothing seemed to improve her wellbeing - at least not long-term.
Despite this, Matilda has found a career and girlfriend she loves. Recently, Matilda’s girlfriend noticed something: Matilda always seemed exhausted after work and socialising. She’d often be unable to speak to her partner until several hours home, and frequently cancelled tasks, even on her days off.
“Matilda thought that everyone experiences this - after all, bright, flickering fluorescent lights, constant noise, strong smells of cleaning products, and uncomfortable work clothes are things everyone dislikes. No one is truly a fan of ‘small talk’, are they?”
Matilda has her ways of managing it. Sometimes she’ll stay in her car for a few minutes or find a quiet space to think. She wears noise-cancelling headphones on the bus and has memorised conversation scripts, greetings, and how to end discussions gracefully. She knows to look at the tip of someone’s nose instead of making direct eye contact.
“Surely this discomfort is something everyone deals with?”
Matilda’s girlfriend suggested perhaps there was more to it. They discussed their different experiences of socializing and sensory input. Matilda realized she experiences things differently from her partner. After some reading and watching videos from Autistic adults, she was surprised to find how much she resonated with their experiences and descriptions.
“Her partner suggested it. After all, she has no major issues with working, enjoyed school, and has close friends.”
But Matilda decided to pursue assessment. She learned that while she didn’t have difficulty with school or work, she does experience sensory differences and finds social situations exhausting. She masks - those memorized scripts, the headphones, staying in her car - all strategies to manage in a neurotypical world.
Understanding her Autistic identity helped Matilda make sense of why previous mental health treatments hadn’t worked long-term. She wasn’t broken or difficult to treat - she was Autistic, and the support she needed was different from what she’d been offered.
Matilda now knows:
Her exhaustion after socializing isn’t weakness - it’s a real need for recovery time.
Her sensory sensitivities aren’t “everyone’s experience”.
Her organisational strengths and problem-solving skills are part of her Autistic identity.
She can advocate for what she needs rather than forcing herself into neurotypical expectations.
Today, Matilda understands herself better and can build a life that works with her neurology, not against it.