Welcome to Autistic.co.il.
I'm Tzahi Dagan. I was diagnosed as autistic at age 42, and I'm a father to a 14-year-old autistic child.
Having experienced this journey firsthand, I founded Autistic.co.il to bring the world of autistic adults to the forefront. This is a space designed to raise awareness, break down stigmas, and create a place where adults can find answers, understanding, and companionship on their path.
The Years Before Diagnosis: The Constant Attempt to "Fix"
For many years before my diagnosis, I lived with a constant feeling that something was wrong with me. I felt expected to navigate the world in a certain way, and I was constantly trying to fix myself. I moved from one therapy to another, in an exhausting search for answers or ways to "fit in." On a daily basis, this effort took a heavy toll on me-I found myself socially exhausted time and again, which ultimately led me to avoid gatherings and interactions, simply to protect the little energy I had left.
The Turning Point: When It Clicked
The big change came at age 42, from the least expected place. From the day my son was born, it was clear to everyone how much he resembled me, and how he inherited my problems and difficulties. When he was diagnosed on the spectrum at age 14, I sat down to fill out his diagnostic questionnaires. Suddenly, I felt that every single answer I marked for him accurately described me as well.
In an instant, it clicked, and everything connected. All the years of trying to fix myself, the exhaustion, and the unanswered questions-suddenly received one unequivocal explanation. From that moment, I was drawn into this world; I read, researched, and learned non-stop, and my certainty that I am autistic grew stronger and stronger.
I decided to stop the psychological therapy I was in and get diagnosed myself. My therapist, who knew me best in the world, was sure I wasn't autistic. But I knew she was wrong, that she simply wasn't seeing me correctly. I was 100% sure of it even before I stepped into the clinic. The diagnosis I eventually received simply gave official confirmation to what I already knew.
42 years of Masking end here, and I am starting a new chapter in my life. 42 years that no one saw me, and no one even considered that I was autistic. Awareness today is negligible among most people-even among the professionals and therapists I saw along the way, who don't really know what Autism is.
This website was established for them and for you. For anyone who wants to know and understand more about this Neurodiversity, based on scientific research and written in clear, simple language.
The New Life: From Self-Blame to Acceptance
This discovery changed the entire way I look at my past and who I am today. For the first time in my life, I stopped looking for what was "broken" in me and stopped trying to fix myself with endless therapies. The diagnosis gave me the peace to understand that the exhaustion and social avoidance were not my personal failures, but a result of living in a world not always adapted to my needs. I learned (and am still learning) to accept myself, to have compassion for the child and teenager I was, and to manage my energy in a way that is right and suitable for me.
My Vision: Why I Founded Autistic.co.il
Autistic.co.il was born from the understanding that there are countless other adults walking around with the same feeling of alienation I experienced, without knowing that they are simply autistic. I created this space to raise awareness of Autism in adults, to provide accessible knowledge at eye level, and to spare others the long years of confusion and blind searching. I believe that we, autistic adults, deserve a place where we can understand ourselves, receive support, and know that we are definitely not alone.
What You Can Find on the Website
To make your journey simpler, more accessible, and clearer, I have compiled a wide range of tools, knowledge, and content for you on the website:
Professional articles and access to academic research: Up-to-date knowledge based on science and research, presented in clear, simple, and accessible language.
Glossary of Terms: Concise explanations of important terms and concepts in the world of Autism.
News and Updates: Everything new and developing in the field of Autism in Israel and worldwide.
Diagnostic Questionnaires and Assessment Recommendations: Initial self-assessment tools and guidance to qualified diagnostic professionals.
Recommendations for Treatment and Support Approaches: A review of various approaches that can help and provide personalized solutions.
Suitable Products (coming soon): Recommendations for aids, products, and tools that can make daily life easier.
I invite you to explore, read, learn, and feel at home here.
Sincerely,
Tzahi Dagan
