Hi

[Peter2]

Hi all, I'm 59 and I think I'm on the spectrum. Not sure and full of doubt but I intend to get assessed within 6 months.
I've had some difficulty in my life, nothing horrific, I'm not badly done by in this universe, but there are many little things.
I started considering this when it was suggested that my son might have ASD.
For about 10 years I've thought about this.
A few years ago I watched a youtube video that blew my mind, suddenly everything makes sense. But I'm reasonably successful in my career and I know there would be disbelief and opposition from family and friends if I were to say I'm autistic. I don't want to go there.
My fiancé is getting a little angry every time I allude to this in some way and I think she thinks I'll use it as an excuse to be lazy. That is a problem that I don't know how to deal with.
Thanks all for reading.
Cheers

 

[Outdated]

Hi and welcome. Most of us that were diagnosed later in life found the revelations pretty mind blowing, all of a sudden so many confusing things start to make sense.

And many of us have had very successful lives, autism is not necessarily a disability.

 

[Nitro]

 

[Peter2]

Hi, yeah sorry, I realize that was a stupid thing to write. Thanks for the welcome...

 

[tree]

 

[Nervous Rex]

Hi, yeah sorry, I realize that was a stupid thing to write. Thanks for the welcome...

Nothing you wrote was stupid, so there's no need to apologize.

Your story looks very similar to mine. I was formally diagnosed at age 47, and just like you, a lot of stuff started to make sense.

My wife and her family were very understanding (their strongest reaction was to say, "That explains a lot."). But I avoided disclosing it to my parents for a while because I was afraid they would see it as an excuse.

 

[Peter2]

Nothing you wrote was stupid, so there's no need to apologize.

Your story looks very similar to mine. I was formally diagnosed at age 47, and just like you, a lot of stuff started to make sense.

My wife and her family were very understanding (their strongest reaction was to say, "That explains a lot."). But I avoided disclosing it to my parents for a while because I was afraid they would see it as an excuse.

Hi Rex, thanks, I wish my ex-wife had been understanding but then if she was she would not have divorced me. LOL. To be fair I never claimed to be on the spectrum but both our kids probably are (one has told me she has a diagnosis and the other has said he is boarderline Aspy) and I think it might have been something she might have considered. I wish someone had asked me to either get my kids assessed or get myself assessed decades ago. Oh well, better late than never.

 

[Magnus]

Hi Peter,

thanks for sharing your story. Nothing you wrote seemed stupid to me.

 

[VictorR]

Welcome!

Indeed, those who show outwards signs of relative success and/or have masked more heavily may find it harder to gain acceptance for who they are.

Sometimes trying to explain things can take a while, and there are some who may not want to truly listen at all. But if someone cares enough about you to be engaged (congrats!) I would think that perhaps with time, and patience, they may be willing to take the time to understand who you are and how the two of you can work together to make the relationship work.

 

[Rodafina]

Hello and welcome. I hope you find answers, support, and camaraderie here. Nothing you wrote was stupid.

 

[Forest Cat]

Hello

 

[Kisa the tea]

Hello and welcome to the forums, Peter! As everyone else said, nothing you wrote was stupid. I hope things go well for you and I hope you enjoy it here!

 

[Peter2]

Thanks everyone. I'm sure I'll love it here.