The older person on the spectrum and the downplaying of how they're doing

Hi, I’m 63 and was diagnosed nearly two years ago.

I can understand and identify with the feeling that your difficulties are being underestimated, minimised, and even trivialised.

Two days ago someone at my local mental health services observed that I must be fine as I was able to speak fluently and coherently.

When mental health professionals display such misconceived notions about autism, it is small wonder that the general public remain unenlightened.

Hi, I’m 63 and was diagnosed nearly two years ago.

I can understand and identify with the feeling that your difficulties are being underestimated, minimised, and even trivialised.

Two days ago someone at my local mental health services observed that I must be fine as I was able to speak fluently and coherently.

When mental health professionals display such misconceived notions about autism, it is small wonder that the general public remain unenlightened.

someone about to commit suicide or murder could be able to speak fluently and coherently   --- Its hardly a good assessment. Its a very off hand / cant be bothered attitude.

Yes, there does appear to be very limited understanding in the UK amongst people who are usually termed professionals. I'm inclined to see it as very much part-&-parcel of the global populist dumbing-down project.

I'm also 63, and diagnosed two years ago. And the populist thing to do where I live is to sweep the whole adulthood ASD thing under the carpet as if it doesn't actually exist at all. It's still OK to talk about young people on the spectrum, though. But even there, I would say that the public are really more interested in the cute or heartbreaking stuff. And then when the cutesy stuff starts to disappear in adolescence, the disappearing act kicks in. I have yet to meet another adult autistic here. Where they all go, I haven't the faintest idea, as yet! I sort of imagine that by that time, they have been thoroughly 'conditioned' enough to be in complete denial of their previous diagnosis. They might realise that they are never going to receive any support in adulthood, and so the best thing for them to do is forget the diagnosis ever happened. And hush the whole thing up for the rest of their lives.

This location really does have a desperate need for people who can work outside the box, for instance. But I imagine you only really pass muster for a career like that here if your folks have the right connections, and can thus afford to conveniently ignore any thought of outside support.

In my case, I now seem resolved to battle on through with this diagnosis; alone if necessary. I find that almost gives me a new purpose in life.

I am far better verbally than non-verbally. A lot of people including MH professionals don't look beyond that when it comes to how well you're seen to be doing .