The AWG Secular 12 Steps of Self-Esteem Recovery

1. We admitted that despite our efforts, many of the factors affecting our sense of self and self-esteem seemed out of control, leading to increased unmanageability in our lives.

2. Came to believe that at least some perceptions of ourselves from our pre-identification years might not be accurate, and that there might be other ways of thinking about ourselves that we have not yet encountered.

3. Made a decision to initiate a process of letting go of some of these perceptions and to cultivate openness to new perceptions of ourselves.

4. Conducted a preliminary exploration our current sense of self and self-esteem.

5. Shared our current perceptions of our sense of self and self-esteem with the world in some way.

6. Investigated the ways in which our current sense of self is/has been informed by outside influences.

7. Explored the concepts of individual needs and self-care, both generally and our own.

8. Examined the concept of "personal values", both generally and our own.

9. Considered both generally and in our own lives the idea of connection between oneself, other individuals, and communities.

10. On the basis of our new knowledge, we made a decision to align our lives, relationships, and habits to what feels healthy, sustainable and manageable for us.

11. Continued to cultivate our sense of self and self-esteem in the ways of our choosing.  Sought to maintain an openness to adjustments in our sense of self and self-esteem as time goes by, even from unexpected places.

12. Having grown more comfortable in our sense of self and self-esteem as a result of these steps, we tried to carry the message to other late-identified autistic people who struggle with sense of self and self-esteem, and to bring the connection we found in AWG with us in our daily lives.