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adult diagnosis - woman in her late 40s

Guinea Pig Fan

It was suggested to me by my psychotherapist in the summer that I might be autistic.  I have since done a lot of research and can identify with some of the signs but not all of them.  Although my GP has agreed to refer me for an assessment, I sense that he has not taken it that seriously and doesn't believe that I'm actually autistic.  I have learnt that girls and women are good at hiding their difficulties and, being in my late 40s now, I will have learnt to adapt to survive so far.  Does anyone have any advice they can give me about what it's like for a woman in her forties to pursue a diagnosis?  Also, does anyone share my sense that they can really identify with some symptoms of being on the spectrum but not all of them?  I feel I would benefit from talking to someone who has already been through the experience and any help or advice they can give me.

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  • Firstly, it doesn’t matter what your GP thinks. And secondly, you don’t need to have all traits. I’ve only recently realised this myself. My assessment starts in December. I’m 48. When I realised I probably had Autism, I put it out of my mind. I knew my whole life had been a struggle, but felt I didn’t have many traits, including stimming, routine, food sensitivities, meltdowns etc. 
    Over the last year I’ve done a lot of analysing. I do have quite regimental routines, but this is usual for me, so I didn’t think it was a factor. There are foods I avoid, I do stim and I can attribute past experiences where I acted ‘like a child’, shouting, screaming, stomping my feet, hitting things, not realising I’d hurt myself, and feeling somewhat embarrassed after the event which was out of my control.

    I don’t think my interests were ‘excessive enough’, or particularly scholarly, and I don’t ‘like numbers’ or scientific things. I give great eye contact, but of course I had to learn this, and monitor it whenever I speak to someone.

    There so much I could write about  but all I’ll say is keep looking at your life in detail. Things might become apparent.

    The thing is, deep down, I worry, am I just finding these things, so they fit in with some of the traits? I won’t believe I am in the spectrum until a professional tells me. I was exactly the same with my daughters process. I knew what she had. I’d known for years and no one listened (she’s high functioning). But I needed it to be said and on paper for it to be a ‘fact’.

  • in reply to Catlover

    Hello Catlover,

    I hope your assessment goes well!
    I can relate to what you say, that you worry that you are just seeing autistic traits in yourself because you are looking for confirmation and certainty. 

    You won't have long to wait now.  Hopefully it will all feel better once you get a diagnosis.

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