Recently diagnosed

[cajewels]

I’ve recently been diagnosed with level 1 high functioning autism at the age of 22. I’ve always felt like there was something different about me but now it’s official I feel like it’s a lot to process. Does anyone have any advice for the recently diagnosed or people’s experiences with a late diagnosis?

 

[Jumpinbare]

We're all different, but I deep-dive researched autism - because I doubted the diagnosis validity. I knew next to nothing about autism before this. It was very eye-opening. Like reading my life history.

This was 2 years ago I'm 67 now. My research brought me here. Good people here.

 

[Shamar]

I’ve recently been diagnosed with level 1 high functioning autism at the age of 22. I’ve always felt like there was something different about me but now it’s official I feel like it’s a lot to process. Does anyone have any advice for the recently diagnosed or people’s experiences with a late diagnosis?

Welcome. I was diagnosed at 67, and it was a revelation. Being diagnosed doesn't change anything about you. You are still the same person you have always been. However, learning about autism gives you understanding of your past and the way you behave and think. You are embarking on a strange and wild journey, with no real destination. If you need help, we are all supportive of each other here. For example, this forum is the closest I have ever had to having friends. Good luck.

 

[FayetheAspie]

Welcome!

 

[Xinyta]

Welcome to the fold, @cajewels

Both @Jumpinbare and @Shamar pretty well make the best points in regards to this. We are neurological misfits in a world not made for us. But this isn't bad by any means. All we have to do is navigate the NT world our own way, and things will eventually start working out.

Just knowing the potential of Autism being there is enough for most people. Myself included. A diagnosis isn't nessissary. But to each thier own.

 

[Rodafina]

Welcome to the forum, @cajewels

My advice is to give yourself time to let it all sink in and process your thoughts and feelings. I imagine it will be useful and informative for you to stick around and read the experiences of people here on the forum. It can be very affirming and relatable.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Hi @cajewels, this forum is a good place to start. I recently got my diagnosis too, but been on here suspecting it for more than a year before that. I also did a deep-dive into autism-related literature. My advice is to let it sink in, obsess about it when you feel like it, but also try to get a break from the topic from time to time. We're here to answer any questions you might have.

 

[scrambledeggs]

Welcome. I was diagnosed at 67, and it was a revelation. Being diagnosed doesn't change anything about you. You are still the same person you have always been. However, learning about autism gives you understanding of your past and the way you behave and think. You are embarking on a strange and wild journey, with no real destination. If you need help, we are all supportive of each other here. For example, this forum is the closest I have ever had to having friends. Good luck.

Hi,
I'm just wondering how you received a formal diagnosis if you don't mind sharing...is there a specific resource for adults? ty

 

[Shamar]

Hi,
I'm just wondering how you received a formal diagnosis if you don't mind sharing...is there a specific resource for adults? ty

I have told this story before, but it bears repeating for new people. I spent my life as an outcast, still am (except here). I was suicidal by age 9 due to loneliness, which lasted more than 20 years. I consulted with more than a dozen psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, and counselors, and when presented with my list of characteristics that read like the diagnostic criteria for autism, none had a clue or suggested it. Finally, at age 60 (not 67, typo), I was at a job finding program and one of the advisors there realized I was autistic. They arranged for my formal testing and diagnosis. I had no clue until then, all I knew was that I was different, socially non functional, and could never fit in. In other words, I lucked out.

Ten years earlier, I received a diagnosis of ADD (actually AD(no H)D. I thought at first that was the answer to my problems, but it was not. You will find various forms of ADHD are much more common in the many flavors of autism than the general population. It may be worth getting checked for that as well.

You will find that the mental health profession (there are some exceptions) would rather not deal with adult autism. This is evidenced by a general ignorance of autism and the latest DSM-5. The tendency is to deal with the many different kinds and expressions of autism by putting us into one of three boxes and closing the lid.

 

[Marianna]

You’re not alone in that, a lot of people say that after the initial flood of emotions, things actually start making more sense. You can look back at certain struggles or situations and finally have context for why they felt the way they did. It’s not about labeling yourself but it’s about understanding yourself better

 

[Paridas]

I was diagnosed a bit later too, and honestly, just knowing why I’ve always felt different was a huge relief. Take your time to process it-there’s no rush. Reading other people’s stories really helped me feel less alone.