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50's here...

S

scrambledeggs

New Member
Hi!
New here...
I believe a lot of signs were missed for me growing up. In the 70's, they didn't want to label or mark children with something to carry around for the rest of their lives.
But, I just don't think I've gotten the help I need trying to blend in with others.

I tried to get a diagnosis, but I follow conversations too well. : )

I definitely feel I have a lot of autistic traits and I know from my own experiences in school and on the job that I do things differently and perform differently than other people.
Hoping to hear from others on here who can provide some insights to point me in the right direction and maybe change the path for me.

Have a good day.
se
 
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Hello and welcome, @scrambledeggs.

I hope you enjoy the forum. As far as I understand it, knowledge about the varied manifestations of autism has really grown since the 70s, but the diagnostic criteria can still miss some people because of masking and overcompensation in certain areas. A good indicator can be speaking to other autistic folks, like here on the forum, and seeing where you can relate to the challenges, successes and experiences shared here.
 
Rodafina said:
Hello and welcome, @scrambledeggs.

I hope you enjoy the forum. As far as I understand it, knowledge about the varied manifestations of autism has really grown since the 70s, but the diagnostic criteria can still miss some people because of masking and overcompensation in certain areas. A good indicator can be speaking to other autistic folks, like here on the forum, and seeing where you can relate to the challenges, successes and experiences shared here.d
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Thank you!
 
Glad to have you with us, @scrambledeggs

On top of what Rodafina said. I think that a diagnosis isn't required, but can be helpful to understand yourself better. Though. The idea of slapping a label on someone is goofy, but a societal issue sadly. A label doesn't define a person. A label isn't a guidepost for what to be. Yet people hear something like Autism, and immediately go to envisioning something irreversibly wrong with that person. Not that everyone does that, obviously. But it can be hard to not look at Autism as a 'disability'. Yes it can be debilitating. But it's NOT disabling. We are still functional, in alot of ways. It just so happens socail interaction is hard for us. And our varied sensory issues can make focusing very hard.

Anyway. I hope you enjoy your time here with us~
 
FayetheAspie said:
Welcome!
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Xinyta said:
Glad to have you with us, @scrambledeggs

On top of what Rodafina said. I think that a diagnosis isn't required, but can be helpful to understand yourself better. Though. The idea of slapping a label on someone is goofy, but a societal issue sadly. A label doesn't define a person. A label isn't a guidepost for what to be. Yet people hear something like Autism, and immediately go to envisioning something irreversibly wrong with that person. Not that everyone does that, obviously. But it can be hard to not look at Autism as a 'disability'. Yes it can be debilitating. But it's NOT disabling. We are still functional, in alot of ways. It just so happens socail interaction is hard for us. And our varied sensory issues can make focusing very hard.

Anyway. I hope you enjoy your time here with us~
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Thanks, I could have probably benefited from a diagnosis years ago, however, I'm functioning, and it's never too late to learn, grow, and change directions. :)
 
My view is that a diagnosis is of no use unless you're going to get some sort of benefit from it. Talking to other people that have the same lived experience as you is so much more helpful, advice from neurotypical people is usually at best misguided.

Welcome to the forum.
 
Welcome. I don’t have an official diagnosis, but figured it out when I was 64. I’m 71 now. I’ve learned a lot how better to understand my life and how things happened. I’m more leaning in to my autistic characteristics now.
 
WhitewaterWoman said:
Welcome. I don’t have an official diagnosis, but figured it out when I was 64. I’m 71 now. I’ve learned a lot how better to understand my life and how things happened. I’m more leaning in to my autistic characteristics now.
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Thank you. What was the turning point for you? I'm looking into assessments right now...hoping to turn the corner on this...there have been so many signs, so many...
 
scrambledeggs said:
Thank you. What was the turning point for you? I'm looking into assessments right now...hoping to turn the corner on this...there have been so many signs, so many...
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I’m not sure what you mean by turning point. What I know has grown little by little over the years. No particular turning point

If you mean how did I figure out I was autistic, I read a couple of articles on the characteristics of high functioning professional autistic women and checked all the boxes.
 
WhitewaterWoman said:
I’m not sure what you mean by turning point. What I know has grown little by little over the years. No particular turning point

If you mean how did I figure out I was autistic, I read a couple of articles on the characteristics of high functioning professional autistic women and checked all the boxes.
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It's been the same for me. Gathering more and more info as times goes on...and you know yourself best, right?
Awesome!
 
l actually came to this site to figure out someone l was seeing. And then l discovered l had a lot in common with all that l read. I have always stimmed. l can go in and put of sensory issues, however that bothers me way less. Welcome to the forum. There are great posts to read here if you have time.
 
Aspychata said:
l actually came to this site to figure out someone l was seeing. And then l discovered l had a lot in common with all that l read. I have always stimmed. l can go in and put of sensory issues, however that bothers me way less. Welcome to the forum. There are great posts to read here if you have time.
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I tend to attract a lot of people on the spectrum as far as dating goes...it has really been quite a noticeable pattern. I know what you mean. Thanks for the welcome. There is much here!
 
Born in 1972, now 53 years old... I was formally diagnosed as high functioning only five years ago

I've often been described as being eccentric - long before any thoughts of Autism - and I'm fine with that. I have been able to hold down a job my entire life with no huge issues.

The 1970's and earlier being a time when only the most severe cases of Autism were diagnosed.
 
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