*Edit: I checked some of the stuff more out in detail. While some concepts on this are valid and backed up by sience, others like RSD are not. Use this as a springboard for learning, not as a valid source in itself. Yes it says so in the corner already. But spelling it out might help.
People are more complicated then a diagram from the internet. Never forget that.
Then you don’t, strictly speaking, disagree with what the other person said. We’re merely debating over the level of functionality you operate at.
You’re independent on most issues, but you’re financially dependent on others. So your functioning in society may be lower than most people, but you are “high functioning” for somebody with ND.
I’m currently working full time in web development. Cost of living is just crazy compared to what I’ve been able to find for suitable employment, and while it doesn’t help that the types of work I tolerate well are perhaps limited by neurodivergence, I don’t think it’s the primary factor.
But that’s beside the point. I was more just saying that there are definitely people who can present as though they’re doing about as well as you could expect of a person with their background without considering neurodivergence, but still qualify for a diagnosis. Or put another way, it’s possible, in some cases, to work hard enough to fly under the radar and not even recognize it yourself. I didn’t have any issues with independence, really, until I hit an intense burnout from extreme levels of overwork and overall stress. I wouldn’t be shocked to learn of others in my position, so I’m hesitant to suggest someone may not resonate fully with the experience just because they haven’t hit their limit yet.