I never expected major, concrete changes as a result of being diagnosed. That's because too much irreversible damage had been done in the 45 years between first seeing a pdoc and getting the Asperger's/ASD dx. I had hoped though to have a better sense of belonging. That I wouldn't just be the person on the outside looking in.
Unfortunately that hasn't been the case.Autism forums are dominated by 'I can't believe he/she is autistic' types and parents of severely disabled children. There is little room for people like me within such online communities. Whilst not needing round the clock care I'm also not as self sufficient as the often highly vocal 'I can't believe he/she is autistic' types.
The recent exchange of words here has really hammered that home for me. I'm a 65 year old widower, who has no friends and has never had a paid job. I'm supposed to have a care act review every year, but since Covid that hasn't been the case. My stepdaughter agreed to be officially recognised as a carer by social services. I'm lucky in that she has worked in the caring profession for over 25 years covering a wide range of disabilities and needs.
My day is go online, eat and drink, maybe watch a bit of TV. Repeat again and again...... .As posted in another thread that's been looked at, but not responded to(par for the course) I've not been out of my 1st floor flat since coming home from the physical rehab unit. Indeed what with lower back pain, then Covid and the falls last October- I've not been out for a casual walk for over 2 years.