I never knew. Autism? Oh that’s me

[DeFunkCat]

I’m a high functioning person. Autistic? My personal research and testing says I am. I’m starting the process of formal diagnosis. I’m confused about this it’s all so new. I didn’t realise my whole life has been masking till I couldn’t mask anymore and crashed badly in 2017. So …. About me
I was a session musician, I play five instruments competently. I have post grad qualifications, Heaps n heaps of music equipment. I have worked in different areas of senior management. I am an award winning writer. I have a brain that never never stops. Married twice, 4 kids, four grand kids. Currently playing in three bands. Of course there is more, lots more.

 

[FilterFreq]

Wow! That is so awesome. I'm a multi-instrumentalist as well, but I never "made it", as they say. What kind(s) of music do you play?

I think a lot of us were late-diagnosis-bloomers (some later than others, no doubt), so you're in good company here! And, a lot of us identified heavily with ASD prior to receiving a diagnosis, too. Welcome, and I genuinely hope to see you around

 

[DeFunkCat]

I play anything except rap and country. Currently in a semi pro glam tribute playing keys. An indy band and cover band playing upright and fretless bass Oh yeah I used to be worried about saying these things as people would say what a poser. I have stopped worrying about this. As it’s just fact, I enjoy it. Others do too. I try to encourage others to have fun with music. Reading back over it? Yeah bit of a poser. Darn.

 

[Crossbreed]

Hello & welcome, @DeFunkCat.

What country are you in?

If you are in the USA, see,...
Finding Support Resources in the USA...
You introduction reminded me of this smiley,...

 

[Alexej]

HI and Welcome @DeFunkCat
Glad you have found your way to us.

Do hang around a while and get to know us a bit more.

 

[vergil96]

Which instruments do you play?

 

[DeFunkCat]

Hello & welcome, @DeFunkCat.

What country are you in?

If you are in the USA, see,...
Finding Support Resources in the USA...
You introduction reminded me of this smiley,...

I’m in Australia, my top of the world. Thanks to those down under

Which instruments do you play?

Fretted and fretless bass. Cello acoustic and electric. upright electric bass with bow. Hammond B3. Piano various types. and various synths. Hang on some of those are kinda the same. Never played guitar though

 

[Outdated]

Hi and welcome to the forums. Being very successful in life and then burning out seems to be a common theme from people of our generation. Some of us burn out a bit more dramatically than others, I spent 12 years living in the long grass south west of Darwin.

 

[DeFunkCat]

Woah! That sounds primal and scary. For me I just crouched and wept in a corner. Nothing so exciting. I did stoped working so …. maybe I crawled out of the grass? Or clawed my way out of a toxic jungle? Living in the long grass in the Melbourne hills I couldn’t do. I don’t do subzero temperature well..

 

[Outdated]

Living in the long grass in the Melbourne hills I couldn’t do. I don’t do subzero temperature well..

I couldn't either, I was never good with the cold. Lived in Melbourne for a while, earnt a lot of money, had a great time, that was when I started burning out though. I took off back up to Darwin thinking a slower pace of life would help but it didn't really, I've been living the Centrelink dream since 2008.

Finding out about autism made everything come together and start to make sense for me. I'm ASD2 and on a full pension for that now, and I've got a Housing Trust home in suburban Adelaide. Life couldn't be better.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

Welcome! I’m glad you are here. I figured out I was autistic at age 64 when I read an article on autistic presentation in successful female professionals. It has made a lot of what happened in my life clear.

I am just getting back into music now that I have retired. I play or have played piano, violin, fiddle, banjo and am now learning cello. I am strictly an amateur home player.

Studio musicians are some of the best musicians in the world.

 

[Xinyta]

Welcome, @DeFunkCat

It's interesting to meet such a musically inclined individual. Hopefully your new journey in discovering your Autism and your potential diagnosis, will open up more avenues for you. For alot of us. It's made feel whole. That we now can be our true selves entirely. Not that we haven't been, in some capacity, before this.

As you will discover though. There are alot of things that can come with being autistic. Sensitivities to many things in the environment and with ourselves. The socail aspects with socail cues. Issues with understanding jokes, turn of phrase, and/or sarcasm. Just to name a few things.

In either case. It's great to have you with us. We have plenty of posts about Autism all around. We have resources that can help too, with understanding HFA and Autism itself better. So don't be afraid to ask questions if you are unsure of anything.

 

[FayetheAspie]

Welcome!

 

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