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What have you achieved from getting diagnosed?

Kitsune

I was diagnosed with ASD (Aspergers) in December of last year and the last week or so have been feeling a bit despondent about it. I spent a few years prior to assessment and diagnosis focused on analysing my life and getting the diagnosis, like somehow getting a diagnosis would ‘fix’ me. Since diagnosis I’ve thrown myself into ‘being autistic’ and I spend a lot of time socialising with other autistic people which works well actually. But I can’t help feeling that I haven’t really achieved anything by getting a diagnosis, it might explain why I am the way I am but it doesn’t change anything, it doesn’t change me, it doesn’t make me any less weird! I’m just the same person that I’ve always been, life carries on regardless!

So I just wondered, what do other people think that they have achieved from getting a diagnosis?

Parents

  • My diagnosis has given me the answer to a lot of 'Why...?' questions

    It has provided a way to defuse situations where it can be understood that I'm not 'just being difficult' this is a thing that has a big impact on me and I NEED it done a certain way

    or

    I'm not being 'rude', I just need time to recover from a situation that I find overwhelming but you think is 'fun'

    or

    I know this thing isn't important to me, but it is to you and although I don't understand that, I'll respect it

    I'm different - and that's OK

    It's not always me that's the source of the problem - other people have their own baggage and sometimes that's the issue, not whatever it is that I've said/done

    I have rights - if I don't like to be touched then it's OK to say no to 'social kissing/hugging', if I'm sensitive to noise or smells or light it's OK to ask for those things to be toned down...

    I'm learning how to be the 'best' version of me more of the time and that's great for everyone

    I'm open about my diagnosis and I'm trying in my own small ways to make being different more accepted

  • in reply to Original Prankster

    My diagnosis has answered a lot of questions, but at the moment I also feel that it has asked a lot more questions too.

    I do know what you mean, it's good to have the diagnosis as 'justification' to need something to be done a certain way. I'm finding that too!

    other people now seem to understand my need for 'time out', they didn't before.

    trying to understand that something is an issue for someone else, even though we don't 'get' it is important.

    I'm actually ok with a brief 'hello' hug in social situations with people I know as its usually predictable, I can see what they're about to do so get a few seconds to prep. I do notice some friends being a bit hesitant before hugging me now though. When my house gets too noisy I just switch off my hearing aids :-)

    I think it's good to be open about autism as much as possible, it helps to challenge some people's perceptions of autism too!

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  • in reply to Original Prankster

    My diagnosis has answered a lot of questions, but at the moment I also feel that it has asked a lot more questions too.

    I do know what you mean, it's good to have the diagnosis as 'justification' to need something to be done a certain way. I'm finding that too!

    other people now seem to understand my need for 'time out', they didn't before.

    trying to understand that something is an issue for someone else, even though we don't 'get' it is important.

    I'm actually ok with a brief 'hello' hug in social situations with people I know as its usually predictable, I can see what they're about to do so get a few seconds to prep. I do notice some friends being a bit hesitant before hugging me now though. When my house gets too noisy I just switch off my hearing aids :-)

    I think it's good to be open about autism as much as possible, it helps to challenge some people's perceptions of autism too!

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