Hello everyone

[Stacysmyname]

Im Stacy, I feel a bit vulnerable in saying Im self diagnosed, or rather, my youngest daughter who has been diagnosed since preschool, now as an adult said “I thought you knew you were autistic!” That was a few years ago. I had read a lot about autism, and did not see any distinctions that were obvious to me.” I would share the info I was learning with my husband and he wouldn’t say anything at the time, but later said, I was describing how he experienced me.

As a young adult she has been able to explain in depth what I was missing in interacting with non autistic people. 1 Ex: If someone asks, “what are you reading? She explained, they are just trying to connect with me, they don’t want lots of details. Instead, I would take them literally and give whoever was asking a 45 minute explanation of all the exciting information I’ve learned.

 

[Nitro]

 

[YabbaDabba]

Hi @Stacysmyname! Welcome to the forum!

 

[Outdated]

I feel a bit vulnerable in saying Im self diagnosed

Don't be stressed. Many of the people here don't have a formal diagnosis and they don't need one. Just by reading other people's posts you'll soon work out if you fit in or not, and that's all that really matters.

Welcome to the forums.

 

[Suzanne]

Hi Stacy.

When I first joined, I was also self diagnosed and a few year's later, received my formal diagnosis.

I am just the same. Someone asks a question and I go into a deep answer, which seems to not be appreciated.

Anyway, no need to feel vunerable, because there are many who are not diagnosed yet. I know that is easier said than done, because I felt a fraud, despite receiving a lot of support.

I do find, though, that receiving a formal diagnosis, does actually help, we live in a neurotypical dominate world.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

@Stacysmyname, welcome. Your situation is not uncommon, at least within these social circles. Most adults do not understand how adult autism presents, even amongst the health care community, which I am a part of. Either neurotypicals simply give you a "moral diagnosis" or think you are "odd" in some way, or, as an undiagnosed autistic, you recognize something is "off", but autism might not be on your "radar" because you clearly don't act like the severely affected small children you've seen in the media. Over the many years, you start questioning things, perhaps identifying some obvious traits and behaviors, and then something in your life happens when you seriously start questioning yourself, perhaps see a psychologist for the first time ever. You might be 30, 40, 50, 60 years old or later, and then you do some research, and you have that epiphany moment, "OMG!, How did this get missed?" The plain and simple answer, most people do not recognize adult autism, not even physicians.

 

[Richelle-H]

Hello and Welcome Stacy. I am officially diagnosed and I tend to overshare and can run on and on about things that I have a deep interest in, which can sometimes spill over into experiences that I have found interesting. In my youth I was reading four or five books a week. This went on a decade or two and I was not checking them out of a library but buying them, resulting in a rather large library which continues to expand even now. I have a prodigious memory when it comes to trivial facts. I see patterns quicker than most and that usually centers on dates, random numbers, and things too trivial for many to even notice.

I was a late diagnosis, but the thing is, I already knew I was different at a very early age but just kept a low profile in my daily interactions. By the time someone suggested I had Asperger's, it did not amount to much to me personally, in the moment. You should not sink into deep thought about it. It is not a disease, it is just a different way of seeing and interacting with the world.

Come here to explore and learn more about yourself. We do not judge anyone. There is so much shared experience here that may help you realize that there is power in truly knowing yourself. If you feel vulnerable, you will find support here. If you feel bewildered by it all, you will find knowledge and possibly stories close to your own. I hope you come back here regularly and join in. If you have questions there are answers to be found or resources that may help you discover things that you have yet to realize.

You can be yourself here, so again welcome and be at peace.

 

[tree]

 

[VictorR]

Welcome! It's never too late to start one's journey. May you find peace along the way.

 

[Alexej]

HI and Welcome to the Forums

Do take your time in getting to know us. Feel free to look at older threads where there is a lot of experience and life stories. Perhaps something there will connect with you from another's experience.

 

[Stacysmyname]

Hi Stacy.

When I first joined, I was also self diagnosed and a few year's later, received my formal diagnosis.

I am just the same. Someone asks a question and I go into a deep answer, which seems to not be appreciated.

Anyway, no need to feel vunerable, because there are many who are not diagnosed yet. I know that is easier said than done, because I felt a fraud, despite receiving a lot of support.

I do find, though, that receiving a formal diagnosis, does actually help, we live in a neurotypical dominate world.

 

[Stacysmyname]

@Stacysmyname, welcome. Your situation is not uncommon, at least within these social circles. Most adults do not understand how adult autism presents, even amongst the health care community, which I am a part of. Either neurotypicals simply give you a "moral diagnosis" or think you are "odd" in some way, or, as an undiagnosed autistic, you recognize something is "off", but autism might not be on your "radar" because you clearly don't act like the severely affected small children you've seen in the media. Over the many years, you start questioning things, perhaps identifying some obvious traits and behaviors, and then something in your life happens when you seriously start questioning yourself, perhaps see a psychologist for the first time ever. You might be 30, 40, 50, 60 years old or later, and then you do some research, and you have that epiphany moment, "OMG!, How did this get missed?" The plain and simple answer, most people do not recognize adult autism, not even physicians.

Yes, this really sums up my experiences. I’ve not heard the term “moral diagnosis” but that is such a fitting description. I started questioning myself after years of trying to study and learn since my preteens years on how other humans thought and functioned. I just couldn’t figure out how to fit in socially, eventually I went from being the trouble maker to “really, really nice”. I would mimic other girls likes, dislikes, interests and feelings the best I could, because I didn’t get it, I still don’t. It was and still is sooo much work! I have many strained relationships especially when I could no longer carry the responsibility of my social barriers in order to maintain the relationships. It was frustrating, exhausting and for most others it still was not enough. I’m in a much better place mentally and emotionally. The majority of my family and social relationships are either null or in complete discord. I tell you all this because reading your term “morally diagnosed” helped me see that is what has happened, when I could no longer mask all the time. My therapist had explained, when people dont like my unmasked sincerity, they take the moral high road with me, as if I am morally off when I am not all in on the others feelings.