Why are some people devastated when they get an ASD diagnosis?

I have read a lot of accounts written by adults discussing their Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis. In a lot of cases it seems that the person's world fell apart and it took them a long time to come to terms with the diagnosis.

I remember when I was handed the piece of paper with my ASD diagnosis and I think the councellor was expecting me to be quite emotional.

As it was - I was rather blase about the whole thing. It is not like other types of diagnosis (eg cancer) where you find out you have gone from being healthy to unhealthy in an instant, and now have a big battle on your hands. Instead it was quite helpful since it allowed me to put a name/label to why I always felt "different".

I am just curious if other people also reacted in a similar way to me?

I am also interested in hearing from those who found it a big shock to receive an autism diagnosis and found it hard to accept. I am just wondering why people react in this way? Perhaps it is because they felt under pressure in life to live a certain way? Luckily for me I have never had those pressures placed on me. My parents have always been quite "hands off" when it comes to telling me how to live.

Cheers!

Joe (diagnosis 7 months ago at the age of 37)

Parents

Misheard Lyrics over 6 years ago

I'm still waiting for my assessment, and I'm not sure exactly how I'll react if I am eventually diagnosed with autism, but I think I will be relieved. However, I've been through a lot of different emotions while I'm waiting, many of them to do with things which have happened to me, and mistakes I have made in the past. That might be a reason for some to feel devastated, not so much about the diagnosis itself. There is a lot of stuff to process.

Another factor could be that the diagnosis is made on the basis of perceived deficits and disabilities, rather than things autistic people are good at, so it can't help seeming like a very negative thing. (Add to that the frustration at other people's perception of autism, and the knowledge that the diagnosis is unlikely to make things any better in that regard.) One of the most negative groups I ever went to was a parents "support group" which was supposed to help me to come to terms with my son's autism diagnosis, but which often made me feel worse. I stopped going after being insulted by another member for not believing that the MMR vaccine was the cause.

Being in contact with others who have already been through the process and have found their identity, and have positive things to say about autism, is a huge help.

Reply

Misheard Lyrics over 6 years ago

I'm still waiting for my assessment, and I'm not sure exactly how I'll react if I am eventually diagnosed with autism, but I think I will be relieved. However, I've been through a lot of different emotions while I'm waiting, many of them to do with things which have happened to me, and mistakes I have made in the past. That might be a reason for some to feel devastated, not so much about the diagnosis itself. There is a lot of stuff to process.

Another factor could be that the diagnosis is made on the basis of perceived deficits and disabilities, rather than things autistic people are good at, so it can't help seeming like a very negative thing. (Add to that the frustration at other people's perception of autism, and the knowledge that the diagnosis is unlikely to make things any better in that regard.) One of the most negative groups I ever went to was a parents "support group" which was supposed to help me to come to terms with my son's autism diagnosis, but which often made me feel worse. I stopped going after being insulted by another member for not believing that the MMR vaccine was the cause.

Being in contact with others who have already been through the process and have found their identity, and have positive things to say about autism, is a huge help.

Children

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