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‘Traits of autism’

Breezer

Hi everyone. I hope you’re safe and well.

I had an appointment with the psychologist team and they have said I have definite traits of autism and that I will be eligible for support and help. I can go for a full diagnosis but there’s a very long waiting list - and there may be no clinical benefit to me as I’m pretty stable. I’m waiting for her to write to me to confirm what she said and what support I can get. 

I just feel a bit lost.. I don’t know how to talk about this to people. Does it mean that I am on the spectrum? Can I say that I am autistic? I need to be able to talk to the people close to me about it, because it affects them, but I don’t know what to say. Can you only tell people you’re autistic if you get a full diagnosis? 

I think I’m looking for some validation. Im pretty relieved about it all generally - after mental health issues all my life, and being told I’m shy or anxious, this could just be what I need to be able to be at peace. 

Many thanks for reading.

  • Hello, a diagnosis can be very useful. It gives you some info about how your brain functions, your strengths, it can be interesting. Lucky that you don't have it bas enough that it immediately shows. People don't need to have this information to have a picture of who you are. Quirky and shy people are often not disliked, so why give them extra information that might change this image. In general people don't have a clear image on what to expect from a person with autism. When it concerns the people that you live together with, that may be different, but you should make sure they understand well what it means, and you may be able to get this across better after the diagnoses. Something I learned was that I'm actually not so bad at learning new things and adapting. But a bit chaotic and weirdly unable to plan on a higher level, everything forms from the details.

  • The diagnosis process is a hard one but you will feel a lot better knowing, it seemed to make the first 14 years of my life finally make sense when I recieved mine

  • I understand you feel being in limbo now. You are at the beginning of a journey and takes a while to go through various stages of reconceptualising your life and your emotions about this. I would say it is beneficial to go for the diagnosis as it would give some validation and closure, a more positive sense and some freedom. That's how it was for me.

  • PS the appointment was an initial assessment for autism.