• Replies 7 replies
  • Subscribers 83 subscribers
  • Views 763 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Recently diagnosed

sphynx

Hi everyone,

I’m very recently diagnosed, (had my assessment yesterday) and while I’ve been wanting this validation of my experiences for years, I’m now doubting myself, and feeling unsure how to move forward. Apologies for the length of this post, but I would really appreciate peoples thoughts on any of the following…

Whilst I definitely have lots of ASD traits, I have empathy, and I don’t have a really strict routine. I also haven’t had intense interests fora few months. I’m fine with abstract language, (when it’s me using it.) I know you don’t have to tick all the boxes, but right now I’m feeling like a not completely valid autistic person, especially given that growing up, no one really took me seriously when I said I thought I might be autistic, and even today someone told me that they would have no idea i’m on the spectrum without my saying so… I wonder if anyone else shares some of these deviations from the traits usually associated with ASD?

i’m also worried about my diagnosis not being taken seriously by my family. I would love to help them understand, but feel like they don’t realise how much my life, and the lives of other autistic people, are impacted by being on the spectrum. How might I navigate the conversation?

Finally, I wonder if anyone has guidance on disclosure: when to do it, who to disclose to, and how to disclose.

Thanks so much in advance for your thoughts.

Parents

  • For starters: you are not alone - by a long shot.

    I have the 'label' diagnosis and am waiting for the report too.

    I have told my 2 (very unsurprised and definitely on the spectrum) best friends - it was a massive weight off my shoulders.

    What I said was "I have just been going through an Autism assessment, it turns out I have it. That's why I've been acting even more strangely recently, but don't worry, I'm still going to be eccentric quirky old me, maybe even more so, and I'll keep on messing things up in ridiculous and spectacular ways, but I'm not going to feel quite so bad about it anymore". And then basically got off the phone as soon as possible...

    Family has been more of a weird one. When I was trying to broach the subject the whole thing went incomprehensibly bizzare - suffice it to say that I am not capable of managing their reaction (and probably vice-versa). They have got the message though - and we're not discussing it directly - in true British fashion - and I'm pretty sure they're smart enough to know not to push me beyond the point I can cope.

    With regards to 'the traits' - I believe it is different for everyone, and as much as I would love (/hate) to 'pattern-match' myself in to a stereotype, these traits seem to come and go like sparkles in a kaleidoscope (if that's not too figurative language).

    Like aidie says: if you can possibly wait and do some introspection, I would, especially in terms of HR / college administration. I am hopeful (for myself) that the report will give me some information and clarity on my needs. And needs will be a much more communicable set of information than the giant, unwieldy and very poorly understood label of Autism.

  • in reply to JJ

    Sorry - I meant to say that with HR / education administrators, a short list of 'needs' would be something that they can do something about. If you just tell them the label without anything much extra, they won't have a clue as to what they're supposed to do about it, and hence it won't help you.

Reply
  • in reply to JJ

    Sorry - I meant to say that with HR / education administrators, a short list of 'needs' would be something that they can do something about. If you just tell them the label without anything much extra, they won't have a clue as to what they're supposed to do about it, and hence it won't help you.

Children