My name is Maribel; I’m a psychologist and mum to a six-year-old girl. Like many others, I received my diagnosis because of my daughter. The neurologist – who is also autistic – told me, and I couldn’t believe it, ha ha ha. At the time, I was being assessed for suspected giftedness. Being a proper autistic person, I set about studying and taking courses with Maria Merino and Cinthia D’Agostino.
It was magical; I cried and laughed.
Finally, the neuropsychological assessment confirmed my diagnosis, which was then verified by a psychiatrist in Argentina, and here I am, working in the field of autism and happy in a job for the first time.
I’m learning to avoid being questioned by people who are unfamiliar with the condition, whilst keeping my focus firmly on learning about autism.
And I hope that one day I’ll be able to teach others too, and help ensure that there are more and more trained families and professionals.
