Hi. I completed the diagnosis process back in March and got diagnosed as being on the spectrum and was told I would be classed as having Asperger's (but it's not a formal diagnosis anymore).
I've always felt different, generally haven't fitted in and always felt separate to everyone else. I have a long list of behaviours and social difficulties which I think support the diagnosis. However, I wanted to see if other people have experienced the following ...?
Family and friends not recognising the diagnosis
Friends that I spoke to before the diagnosis, my parents, brother and sister all felt strongly that I was not Autistic / on the spectrum and have pretty much discounted it completely after the diagnosis.
I'm relieved (in a way) to have the diagnosis as it explains a lot for me, but most people around me don't seem to agree that I could have Asperger's. Most people, aside from a few, have either said "of course not", or not really bought into it.
Being okay as a child
As a child I didn't really make friends with other children and I feel that I went through my school life mostly keeping to myself. I always felt different and spent a lot of time playing by myself or reading. I did play outside with other kids, but I know I rarely connected with any apart from one or two.
I spoke to my parents today and their view is that I was a content child, just generally quiet. I didn't have meltdowns, I got on okay with my family and was pretty easy going.
I don't understand how I was relatively okay as a child, but have struggled a lot as an adult. Anyone else have that experience?
Social struggles getting harder with age
I seem to have struggled with communications more as an adult than as a kid. I have had a pretty good career in IT, but been socially awkward throughout. I've always found the social side quite hard most of the time, but I've gotten by. Early in my career I was regularly asked to speak louder and eye contact has always been difficult, but again, I've gotten by.
I struggle to talk to people all day and start shutting down in the afternoon if I've had to. I don't laugh at the bosses jokes, but know that I'm supposed to, like everyone else. I don't like work social events and avoid them at all costs (unless it's a small group who I feel close to). I regularly seem to upset or offend someone, but don't mean to. And on conference calls I either don't say enough, or I launch into long monologues and often forget that there are other people on the call (which is weird and a bit funny).
Is anyone else recognising behaviours pre or post diagnosis and then having issues with them becoming more impactful with age?
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
