Published on 12, July, 2020
Good Evening All,
I would love to formulate a post diagnostic course for Autistics or even a book. One that contains all of the information that I wish had been available to me when I had been diagnosed. That information that you spend hours and hours foraging for in the information jungle that is the world wide web. Information that is slowly learned from time spent with other Autistics but that would be so much more convenient and time saving to have in a nice neat easy to read and digest format.
So, what information would you want to see in a post diagnostic course or book?
It would be good to address the 'imposter syndrome' that very many people seem to experience following diagnosis.
I've heard 'imposter syndrome' mentioned by a few. I've not really had it myself post-diagnosis, maybe before. I wonder what causes it?
I think it is a feeling in some people, me included, that have had adult diagnoses. We feel that we don't have some of the stereotypical traits that other autistics have - I have never rocked or flapped my hands - and are not as affected or limited by our autism as some other people. It makes us doubt the diagnosis and feel like our claim to be autistic is somehow fraudulent.
It is a very variable feeling in intensity. Intellectually, I know that I am autistic, but most of the time I cope. I am able to function in society fairly successfully almost all of the time. It is generated by comparison, and the feeling that one's own particular lot is very much easier than that of many other autistics. It is not logical it is emotional in causation, ironically, I suspect it stems from empathy, or at least sympathy for others.