It's official-I'm one of you!

Wow! That sounds really interesting:)

Hey Cassandro! Good to see you are well!

Sounds like you got the answers you needed, and that's a great place to start a new life.

All the best!

Name-calling is really mean, I'd say that you've gone to the point of bullying. I think maybe we should seek help of a moderator since we are in disagreement. Heather - Mod

I respected your feelings and I was trying to suggest ways for you to look at it from a positive point of view. I agree that it is perfectly valid to feel down after a diagnosis, there are many people who do:
https://community.autism.org.uk/f/adults-on-the-autistic-spectrum/14522/my-asd-diagnosis-has-ruined-my-life

https://community.autism.org.uk/f/adults-on-the-autistic-spectrum/12400/negative-reaction-to-diagnosis

https://community.autism.org.uk/f/adults-on-the-autistic-spectrum/14639/nhs-officially-diagnosed-autism-spectrum-disorder-already-regretting-it

,and that was what I thought I would feel too. You may take a look at the thread and find some of what people have said about why they felt bad after being diagnosed resonnate with you. They are very valid feelings, and people have commented and tried to help, either by saying they have similar feelings, or how they came to terms with it over time.

And I was just suggesting what Disambiguating Cynosure suggested to start a new thread so that you may be able to get more help.

If you try not to be so cynical, or at least, first try responding without name-calling, then you may feel better torwards others, and other people will feel better when interacting with you. I had responded with good intentions to try to give reasons why a diagnosis can feel both negative and positive, and you've started calling me names, that's very hurtful.

It wasn't my intention to be a negative Nancy and I am sorry if it seemed so. It's no secret that support is hit and miss sometimes and I just wanted to share my experience since being diagnosed. I have a thread going currently. 

Hi QuietOne, it's nice to hear a different perspective as well. I've just been recently diagnosed at a similar age, and originally I anticipated that I would feel sad about it (because stigma, hopelessness, confirmation of disability, too lateness, etc). But actually, I feel a lot like what Boating_taxonomist described, like a huge weight's been lifted off my shoulder. I'm not really sure how to explain why I felt this way when I expected it to go the other way. I guess perhaps it's because of a lot of uncertainty has been resolved, and I can finally find an explanation of why some things are difficult, and a diagnosis would serve as a safety net in case I need support, etc. I hope things will turn out better for you. By the way, since this is a reply to a thread, perhaps you could start a new thread with more of how things are going for you, and your experiences with MAIN, to get more feedback and advice in particular to your situation. Good luck!

Um... not sure why this suddenly appeared at ME, but I may try something in the way of interaction...

I have "clarity" but must admit that I am a trifle "anhedonic" (inability to feel enjoyment), as suggested upon my own diagnosis, other than Anxiety and Depression. When I post in this Forum it is only when I feel strongly about something, or I feel strong enough, or know that I CAN help (with experience), or to try something out.

I prefer to think that most others do so as well, but in this Forum it is perfectly fine to start a New Thread with an ebullition or "Venting" of something or Emotional Release. (This OP is a bit like that.) I think You should start a new Thread and post all of what you say, and mention "MAIN", because, unless this Thread digresses to further discuss that, then I have no experience of that and so cannot offer specific advice.

(...In short, is this Me, again saying... can someone else help here, Please??)   :-/

To Qwerty... Thank You for asking that (No BT at me, I can deal with that.) Qwerty, You had my question answered for me --- Fossils would not involve RNA... BioInformatics may get there one day (...!). But I have an interest in them Big Ol' Dinosaur-Fellows, so I have interest in this as well. RNA gives a slightly different Evolution from Traditional Evolution... but in my own case it all costs Money and is restricted to find out, which is why I dared to ask the question! 

Thanks again, Qwerty (and BT) - I might quit this Thread now, though. (Be nice if another thread about these disparate-yet-related topics were started, but, oh well...)

I was diagnosed in the August 2017. I was 27 then and I'm now 29. I remember feeling relieved when I found out but it quickly dissolved into panic and sadness. I had an occupational therapist but a few months later she decided she couldn't help and now I am with an autistic charity called MAIN. I have had some sessions from them on what it means and about social skills but I didn't find them of any use. Nearly two years on, I don't feel as positive about my future because I am trying to find a way forward with the charity but I keep getting knocked back.

I am glad you have clarity and I hope things will continue to be positive.  

Cool! Good luck with your PhD.

Not much bioinformatics currently, but I will do more when I start going into the wider scope of my phd project. I've only done some peripherally related stuff so far using character data from fossils.

That sounds fun! So are you doing quite a lot of bioinformatics stuff? Does it involve a lot of DNA sequence analysis? 

Anyway, it does explain your user name Boating_taxonomist :)

...As I notice this, I may regret asking... but... Are you compiling Evolution via studies of Bone Structure or of  RNA? (And next, This is Me, apologising for a second Time, in the same Thread... not a good sign, maybe?)

Good Fortune to You anyway, of course...

Um... If it is alright, I actually logged on to say this next sort of thing. Miss Boating-Taxonomist  --- Whatever Happiness, Strength, or Uplift You feel from this Diagnosis, try to remember this/that moment, as if to bottle it. When feeling down or made to do so, just recall such Positives. They can empower You. The best Strength comes from within, via justification and knowledge. (And finally access to extras via the LAW, as I said upon your previous Thread.)

Yes, congratulations, and not sure what else say just now... but I really mean what I just said. Happiness and Contentment is a very precious commodity...

(To Cassandro... --- HUZZAH!!! Cassandro-YippeeeYayYo !)

(To anyone else... Sorry, I did not expect that and so just ignore that, there, Thanks. I wrote my proper reply below.)

excellent! and welcome to the club

Thanks! Congratulations to you too!

General area is evolution. In more detail: I basically look at different methodological approaches to making evolutionary trees (which are diagrams that infer how species are 'related').

Cool! What area are you studying in academia? 

Hey, I also just been given a diagnosis last week, and I feel exactly as what you describe. A relief. 

Congratulations on on figuring out your autistic!