Published on 12, July, 2020
My family are cross with me as they say that since I was diagnosed I am using my autism as an excuse not to change my behaviour and that am doing things now that I wouldn't have done before and "blaming" it in on my autism.
I don't know how to deal with this information. Do I need to pretend that I am not autistic and go back to masking and hiding who I really am? Do I need to act as if I never got a diagnosis and not mention my autism ever again?
My husband says that he feels like he is the only one expected to change in our relationship because now I am autistic it means that I have an excuse not to have to make any changes.
I really don't know what I am supposed to do this information or what I should do about it!
Has anyone else had this happen to them? Any advice on what I should do?
I feel like no-one is willing to accept me as I am and everyone is fed up with me being autsistic!
it doesn't sound like you are 'using your autism as an excuse', it sounds like you are relieved that you have a diagnosis and no longer have to pretend to be someone else.
your husband is right that he shouldn't have to be the only one to change however you having a diagnosis should make him want to change and make things easier for you?
in answer to your question, I experienced a very similar reaction when I received my diagnosis
Thank you for sharing. Has it got any better since?
some people realised that my autism diagnosis hadn't changed me, it had simply stopped me from hiding who i was
other people still couldn't accept it and so i distanced myself from them
Not always, but if you are finding that to be the case then be persistent and stand up for yourself!
Hard to do when the people are you family.