Hello!

[AKAsimon]

Hi everyone. I’m 33 and a recently self diagnosed aspie. I’ve suspected for a little while but of late I just had to know. Lots of research and talks with my parents later, and I’ve had an appointment with my GP (in which he described me as “the most autistic person [he has] seen in quite some time”) which ended with a referral for a full assessment. My issues are predominantly social but I have some serious organisational problems which have particularly reared their head during this last year of my PhD. I’m now trying to come to terms with the idea of being an aspie and work out what I can do to overcome the issues I have. Obviously I have been an aspie all my life but finally having someone tell me it’s “very clear” that I have ASD is difficult to get to grips with. Any advice on coming to terms with that would really be appreciated

 

[ASD_Geek]

Hello and welcome! There are a lot of great people and information here. I hope that you like it.

Be yourself and don't worry about others. Recognize and play to your strengths. Take time for yourself. It's okay to have some downtime to pursue your interests.

 

[Rocco]

Welcome aboard.
I hope you enjoy the community here.

 

[Judge]

Obviously I have been an aspie all my life but finally having someone tell me it’s “very clear” that I have ASD is difficult to get to grips with. Any advice on coming to terms with that would really be appreciated

Welcome to AC. For me, the easiest way to come to terms with this revelation was to consider the logic of being self-aware. That instead of wandering in a "social wilderness" making mistakes and not knowing why, I'm now capable of addressing those traits and behaviors which I have some control over, to improve my life. And to pick my battles when and where I need to. And to understand my own limitations.

Simply put, it's better to know. Better still, to know I am not alone here. Neither are you.

 

[Omega]

I am sure you will find many people here with similar stories and plenty of advice. Looking forward to reading your posts. Welcome and good luck!

 

[AKAsimon]

Thanks everyone. Ultimately I'm sure it is better to know and in time I'll get used to it.

 

[Tom]

Hi & Welcome,
It can be a disconcerting thing to learn. I imagine something on a level with finding out you are adopted. Some things will become clearer however. To continue the adoption analogy, like why you have black hair when both your parents have blonde hair.

 

[Rocco]

As for coming to terms with a late diagnosis. I experienced a total emotional roller coaster. First ecstatic euphoria, then came frustration and depression, followed by many ups and downs. I honestly feel like it took me well over 6 month to readjust, but I was also in an insane work situation.
I found that this site and some self guided art therapy, helped me to cope with diagnosis.
Establishing common ground with others here helped ME more than any amount of hours in a therapist or counsellors office.
This community is wonderfully supportive, friendly, and many have fantastic advice. I hope your coming to terms is a gentle transition, don't feel bad about being autistic. Best wishes
--/----\--

 

[Major]

I guess I'm still where you are only add in a lot of confusion still. Been a year since I was first introduced and denied I had ASD. Told myself well since Asperger's is not even going to be a valid diagnosis soon they must be wrong. Then Diagnosed with ASD its all hard to accept still. Every time I start accepting it in small doses it doesn't take long to tell myself many people without ASD do these things too. I don't suppose an expert in Autism could be wrong?

 

[AKAsimon]

As for coming to terms with a late diagnosis. I experienced a total emotional roller coaster. First ecstatic euphoria, then came frustration and depression, followed by many ups and downs. I honestly feel like it took me well over 6 month to readjust, but I was also in an insane work situation.
I found that this site and some self guided art therapy, helped me to cope with diagnosis.
Establishing common ground with others here helped ME more than any amount of hours in a therapist or counsellors office.
This community is wonderfully supportive, friendly, and many have fantastic advice. I hope your coming to terms is a gentle transition, don't feel bad about being autistic. Best wishes
--/----\--

Thanks Rocco. I had a look at the paintings in the gallery in your signature; that's quite a talent you have. And as for establishing common ground, that's why I'm here. Hopefully I can contribute a bit to others too.

 

[AKAsimon]

I guess I'm still where you are only add in a lot of confusion still. Been a year since I was first introduced and denied I had ASD. Told myself well since Asperger's is not even going to be a valid diagnosis soon they must be wrong. Then Diagnosed with ASD its all hard to accept still. Every time I start accepting it in small doses it doesn't take long to tell myself many people without ASD do these things too. I don't suppose an expert in Autism could be wrong?

I'm a little way off of getting an official diagnosis so I can't fully imagine how that would feel, but what you've described makes a lot of sense to me. I just seem to be going through events from my past and trying to reframe them in terms of what I now know about myself.

The diagnosis is partly about the density of traits I guess. Each individual trait could be present in anyone but we just have more of these traits than NT's. Without trying to be overly poetic, I do feel that we get to see a world that the vast majority of people don't, it just comes with some difficulties. I know I'm lucky in that for my line of work, my extreme attention to detail (among other traits) is really beneficial

 

[EdR]

Welcome Simon.

I found a sense of serenity after receiving my diagnosis at the age of 63. This was the result of a lot of research and interacting on this forum which allowed me to identify negative aspects of my Aspergers and then start working to minimize some of those aspects. It is not easy but I am proud that I have realized some improvement for some of those traits.

So your diagnosis may open the door for opportunities that you might not have recognized without it.

 

[Progster]

Hi Simon, welcome to the forum. It's a long road towards coming fully to terms with such a revelation, but you've come to the right starting place