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Some advice for a newly diagnosed adult

Ellie 567

Hi everyone 

I am 23 years old and was diagnosed with level 1 ASD a few months ago.

This is my first post on the forum, I have been looking through some old posts and found it reassuring to know that there are others out there in the same boat as me. I feel that I am over analysing everything I do and analyse whether what I do is part of my autism or just part of me, and trying to build my self esteem back as the diagnosis knocked me a bit. 

I was wondering if anyone else on here has some tips with how to deal with accepting their diagnosis, or if anyone felt the same as me when they were diagnosed? I would really appreciate some advice and would love for you to share your experiences as a newly diagnosed adult. I am looking forward to engaging with this online community and to share experiences with others.

Slight smile

  • in reply to JohnS

    Thank you for your reply -I was in denial too and it did knock my confidence because I questioned everything I was doing! I know that the diagnosis doesn’t change who you are and like you I don’t know what difference it would have made if I was diagnosed earlier , maybe not a lot of difference !

  • in reply to Least_Coywolf

    Thank you for your reply, it’s reassuring to know that others feel the same as me! I think it’s great looking at the positives of autism and learning information quickly is definitely one , I think that’s how I got through school so well 

  • in reply to CaliforniaDreamer95

    Thank you for your reply , I too thought I was different and it was when I was struggling with stress and depression during university, and that’s when my mum suggested I be tested , did you find it a relief to be diagnosed? 

  • I'm a bit older (55) and only got diagnosed ASC level 1 in September. Has it made any difference? I would say it's helped my work situation but in all other respects it hasn't made much difference, probably because I still don't believe it but accept that I have always had issues. I don't think I could change and whether I had know earlier would have made any difference to the way I act. I wear a "I have autism" band and a couple os Aspie T shirts but no one has noticed :) Probably just as well because if someone were to ask me what does having Autism actually mean, I would be stumped! :Nerd

  • Hi :) I'm recently diagnosed and in middle-age. I have been asking myself the same question a lot. I tend to over-think most things, and this is no different! As well as wondering where my autism “stops” and what non-autistic traits I have (and I’m still understanding more of my behaviour is probably rooted in my autism whether directly or from various coping/masking tactics I’ve not-knowing adopted over the years), I’m now also recognising that my autism has probably given me strengths such as how quickly I can assimilate information if it’s about one of my special interests.

  • Hello and welcome to the forum Newlydiagnosed23! I have been diagnosed with Level 2 ASD. Feel free to ask any questions and read my profile.

    For years I had suspected that I had something, but wasn't sure what it was. I drew it to my Mum's attention last year and she made me an appointment with my GP... And the rest's history.

  • in reply to .

    Thank you for your reply :)-Yes my official letter says level one or maybe that means high functioning? I think this forum is a great idea to learn what works for others etc

    I had a similar experience where I got my diagnosis and then just a leaflet with the national Autistic Society’s details on it , so I guess it’s just about working out what works well for you 

  • You got a level 1?

    I never got such a level ranking, just a you are autistic also a letter saying I'm autistic all that NHS crap in the letter ha, and that was it.

    "Go home! "

    Nothing changed I have learnt from being on here( from people's explanation and experience what is and what is not helpful, coping methods although for me not all have worked  well lol, 

  • in reply to Bagpuss7

    thank you for these suggestions I will look into these! 

  • in reply to Bagpuss7

    grrr.it ate my post

    I'm conscious I veer towards books aimed at/by those aimed later in life.

    Clearly I am way out of my teens, but I did also enjoy "Freaks Geeks and Asperger Syndrome" by Luke Jackson who was in his teens when he wrote it.

    I've also heard good things about the "Girls with Curly hair" series but not read any, she also has a website but much of it is pay for view.

    There are a few good facebook groups, also other pages/websites that I know people recommend like "autistic not weird" and "agonyautie"

  • in reply to Ellie 567

    "Nerdy Shy and Socially Inappropriate" by Cynthia Kim was the one that resonated the most, also her website https://musingsofanaspie.com/,.
    Also enjoyed "Odd girl out" Laura James, "An Adult with a Autism Diagnosis" by Gillan Drew (a man, kept reading it as Gillian for ages!) and "Aspergers for Dummies" , "Aspergirls" Rudy Simone

  • in reply to Bagpuss7

    Thank you for your reply , I really appreciate it. Can I ask which books in particular have helped you ? I think it will take me a while to get used to my diagnosis  but I think as you say looking at it as a validation of you being you helps as it explains why we are the way we are 

  • hello and welcome! I'm F, 40s, diagnosed last year. Still getting used to it. Kinda see it as just a validation of me being me.

    This forum is great for sharing common stories etc. I've also read a lot of books which have helped.